Make-up assignments

[Anonymous]

I missed the first session because I was not aware that I was accepted to the course. For my make-up assignment I chose to visit the Huntington Gardens, specifically their collection of 17th century calligraphy. The attention to detail and neatness are astounding. I loved the Japanese Bell structure although according to my research they were not typical in traditional Japanese Gardens.
Japanese Bell (tsurigane)
"Dated 1776 but recast after 1878, Bronze
Location: Japanese Garden Bells were not typical features in traditional Japanese gardens but found their way to wealthy art collectors when Japanese government taxes forced Buddhist temples to sell their treasures in the early 1870s. The Huntington’s bell was purchased from Asian art dealer Nathan J. Sargent in 1914. Originally from the Chofuku temple in Yoshida, Ehime Perfecture, the bell is inscribed with its prior location, original date of casting, and the bell’s sponsors and donors. The large central vertical inscription recites a formulaic prayer translated to “Hail, great teacher, universal adamantine illuminator” in offer to the temple’s sect founder."

I find that I very much appreciate the aesthetic of the Japanese culture. It is so serene and calming. The colors, lines, and overall concept of the gardens and flora seem to blend together and not impede upon nature. It is simple yet complex and it seems to have a symmetrical flow. I will be going back and sharing these insights with others.
edited by smaldonado on 6/23/2017

[Anonymous]

I just came back from leadership training at Gettysburg, and just before we got back on the plane at Dulles airport, we had a few hours to check out the National Mall. I was able to briefly see the monuments and memorials for several wars that touched Asian history. The Korean war, Vietnam war, and WWII. In one of our readings, also, it mentioned John Dulles, the U.S. Secretary of State, who developed a plan for fading out Chinese Communism beginning in 1953, through "Peaceful Evolution." This and other situations mentioned in Chapter two, "Flowers of the Nation," in the book ,"The Red Guard Generation and Political Activism in China," nearly brought nuclear war to China, and eventually did bring war in Vietnam.

[Anonymous]

The LACMA is a museum I've been to many times, I take students every year. I even went to the LACMA last semester for a Make-up assignment for this class. Unfortunately I missed a class this semester and so it is the LACMA again, my go to. As someone who specialized in the Greco-Roman world, I often find the art of East Asia at the Museum out of context and more obscure than I do the Middle Eastern and European art that can be found there. But generally, there is a natural beauty that crosses cultural boundaries, even with my lack of context. Right now, their is a special exhibit of cloisonné vessels. To be honest, I had not heard of cloisonné, but it is essentially a process of enameling. When one compares the early Japanese vessels that were shown to us, with the cloisonné vessels, you can see the technical advancements that developed over time. Apparently, although small amounts of cloisonné existed in Japan, by the 1830s there was a renaissance in which artists developed techniques that could be used on a variety of larger surfaces and with numerous colors. The details of some of the vases are amazing.

The Cloisonné items are in the Japanese Pavilion and I believe they are there until next February. Additionally, I plan on having an East Asian Scavenger hunt for students for my next trip. I can do Greco-Roman, Latin American, and now East Asia.

[Anonymous]

I am currently traveling through Europe and have been much more aware and interested in the cultural overlaps and "Chinatowns" that exist in most large cities around the world. It is fascinating to look at the history of cities and see how they have been influenced by Eastern Asia. Spain is no different. Yesterday I wandered through Yamaguchi Park in Pamplona, Spain, which was built in 1997 as an homage to the twinning of the cities of Pamplona and Yamaguchi. "Twinning" of two cities is when two cities align each other and agree to promote each other's cultures and tradition. The cities were twinned in 1980 after the patron saint's visit to Japan in the 16th century. This park was so cool! It had the cultural architecture traditional to ancient Japan, and reminded me in many ways of the Japanese tea Garden on Los Angles. However, it also had traditional Spanish influences and baroque architecture. There was a traditional tea house in the center and lovely gardens where we sat and had ham and cheese sandwiches. It was pretty fantastic and interesting to see the influence of Japan in a thoroughly "Spanish" Spanish city. The cultural and architectural design complimented each other nicely. It was easy to see a nod to each other's cultures in the gardens, structures and Japanese plant life. There was a true sense of four seasons being represented, which is a major Japanese theme.

[Anonymous]

I have never been to that museum. The way you described it makes it sound very interesting. I would especially enjoy looking at the propaganda posters. Thanks for taking the time to go there and share about your experiences.

[Anonymous]

I have always wanted to go to the Huntington Gardens! For some reason every time I want to go, they are almost closing or closed for the day. I have seen some beautiful pictures. I wondering if it's anything like the Japanese Garden at Brooklyn Park in NYC? I was lucky enough to live there for a few year and was even proposed to in from of a Shinto Temple. Your experience sounds lovely!

[cgao]

Please post your make-up assignments in this thread.

Attached is a (very limited) list of potential events and museums you can visit for the make-up assignments. Feel free to explore other options, especially if you travel to other cities.
edited by cgao on 3/7/2017

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