Interest In Art Research Articles

On the Space Construction and the Exploring of Sun Shengxi’s Identity of Son of the Darkness

Son of the Darkness is the debut full-length novel of the post-90s writer Lu Xu from Zhaoqing, which bears a strong allegorical hue. Son of the Darkness refers not only to Sun Shengxi of unknown identity but also serves as a metaphor for human destiny. The metamorphoses from human to animal and the shape shifts among objects that occur in the work both imply the marginalized situations of the characters and constitute an allegory of human fate. In the novel, Lu Xu constructs the family space, the space of biopolitics, and the utopian space as the domains for Sun Shengxi’s identity exploration. Sun Shengxi’s vulnerable situation in the family space and the city theater as the workspace is similar to that of the homo sacer in the space of biopolitics. The transformation in the utopian space embodies the subject’s exploration and pursuit of art and freedom, as well as the resistance to the supreme power.

Символизмът в творчеството на Александър Мутафов (1879–1957).

Alexander Mutafov is one of the most recognizable names in Bulgarian fine art. He began his creative career as a painting student at the Royal Academy of Art in Turin. After completing his education in Italy, he went to specialize in painting in Munich. In Turin and in the Bavarian capital, Mutafov became part of the contemporary artistic pursuits of the era. It is inspired by the modern discourse of symbolic poetics. In the solitude of individualism and in decadent culture, he discovers that personal and intimate path to selfexpression, to the materialization of his inner world and the depths of his creative emotionality. The symbolistic searches in his work can be divided mainly into two directions: on the one hand, there are those in which we find the clear parameters of individualism (lonely human figures by the sandy shore, violinists overhanging the sea abyss, portraits of his relatives presented in the characteristic symbolism external forms mourning lonely grave women), on the other hand are those in which the author looks into the mythological image and the supernatural world (demons, mythical deities, sea sirens, the image of death, personifications of heavenly bodies and natural objects). As one of the significant representatives of marinism in Bulgarian art, Mutafov’s symbolic works unfold in front of the sea or in its depths. Forever inspired by the beauty of the Bulgarian Black Sea, the artist looks into the mytho-poetic topos associated with it. The vastness of the sea itself will take the form of a symbol, be sometimes alluring, sometimes sinister, and often beguiling to doom, or compassionate and kind, like a close friend. The sea often comes alive, through its turbulent and dark waters or through the calm reflections in the frozen water, in an experienced and deeply felt work.

Suffrage Theatre's Surprising Supporters: Elizabeth Robins's Artistic Friendships with Henry James and Florence Bell

Actress, novelist, playwright, and essayist Elizabeth Robins is one of the most examined British suffrage writers, and her play Votes for Women (1907) emerged from and participated in robust networks for women's enfranchisement that have been well studied. This essay takes as its focus other contexts that contributed to Robins's suffrage writing, namely her deep and enduring friendships with two people who opposed women's suffrage: the writers Henry James and Lady Florence Bell. Closely examining these connections provides a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between the movement for women's empowerment in the theatre and the movement for women's political enfranchisement. It also provides a more nuanced understanding of Robins's motivations as she herself, like Bell and James, understood her artistic interests to be parallel with yet distinct from, rather than fully elided with, her political causes. These friendships speak to activist theatre's productive contiguities with the more conservative uses of the art forms in which they participate. Robins's correspondence with James and Bell provides us with an understanding of how the political theatre of the suffrage movement was supported by and in turn helped to build relationships across political differences.

Mechanisms of self-knowledge and self-presentation of creative personality in the space of culture: towards the formulation of the problem

This paper is devoted to the topic of self-knowledge, self-esteem and self-presentation and their role in memorial literature of creative persons in the first half of 19th century. Using the examples of the Russian cultural heritage of the first half of the 19th century, the phenomenon of ego-literature and the genres that represent it (diaries, notes, autobiography, memories, etc.) are analyzed. An overview is given of the factors that contributed to the formation of the specific approach of writers, playwriters, artists, musicians to the creation of memories. Attention is drawn to the attitude of the creative personality to the future of his memories text. It is stipulated that this attention can be both conscious and subconscious, associated with the characteristics of the author’s psychotype and the task that the creator of the memories solves. The central phenomenon in this paper is autofiction. A review of the features of genre varieties of autofiction literature allows us to clarify the degree of interest of writers and artists in each of them. The creative persons could write in autofiction about their life as it was, and fiction. In the central attention is the memorial literature of musicians and, particularly, memorials of M.I. Glinka. The reasons why Russian musical memoir literature developed after the European literature are analyzed.

Intertwining of History and Reality: An Exploration of the Creation of Wang Yingsheng’s “The Return of Hong Kong”

This article aims to delve into the background, process, artistic techniques, and cultural significance and social impact of Wang Yingsheng’s important artistic work “The Return of Hong Kong.” Through an analysis of Wang Yingsheng’s artistic style, combined with a detailed interpretation of “The Return of Hong Kong”, this article reveals how Wang Yingsheng integrated his personal artistic pursuits with significant historical events to create a work that is both characteristic of the times and full of artistic appeal. Simultaneously, this article explores the position of “The Return of Hong Kong” in the history of Chinese contemporary art and its influence on Chinese culture.

Dynamic Partnership

Abstract This essay reevaluates the roles of married women in Dutch seventeenth-century artists’ households, challenging the idea that women ceased professional artistic pursuits upon marriage. Using diverse sources – including archival documents, artist biographies, moralistic literature, contemporary socio-economic studies, and an updated overview of female artists – this study expands the established understanding that family businesses provided work opportunities for daughters by demonstrating that married women were also actively engaged in art production, both directly and indirectly. Women performed various tasks beyond domestic duties, ranging from financial management and marketing artworks to creating art and generating additional income. By introducing the concept of “dynamic partnership,” and featuring well-known cases like Judith Leyster alongside new examples, this analysis offers a nuanced understanding of the diversity and flexibility of labor division within these households. As such, this study not only highlights the economic and creative contributions of married women to the Dutch art world but also illuminates the integrated functioning of artists’ workshops.

Роман Г. Гауптмана «Фантом» и его кинематографическое воплощение

The article deals with the theme of the interaction of literature and emerging cinema on the example of the work of the prominent German writer Gerhart Hauptmann (1862–1946). He was one of the first to see in the new art new opportunities for self-expression. Hauptmann’s attitude to cinema was ambiguous and changed over the years, but finally his direct involvement in the film adaptations of his works determined the nature of his artistic pursuits. Inspired by the new ideas the German writer returned to his unfinished novel «Phantom» (Phantom, 1922). Despite the exact reproduction of the storyline, the film director Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau and screenwriter Thea von Harbow adapted seriously Hauptmann’s work to their needs. In particular, the accents in the interpretation of the problem of individual freedom are changed, the central character is viewed differently. The director, using brilliantly the visual possibilities of cinematic art, emphasizes the themes and motifs crucial for Hauptmann. Murnau stresses the role of the unconscious discussing the origins of the spiritual enslavement of individual. The director shows how the person loses his self-control due to irrational forces. In the film he demonstrates the private world of the «nervous» person, moving away from the external reality into the world of hallucinations. He shows the central character frustrated and confused in front of the subconscious. In addition, Murnau, unlike Hauptmann, associates the human loss of self-control with the late 19th and early 20th century popular problem of the war of the sexes with its irrational and even demonic elements. Hauptmann’s novel, initially coldly received by critics who reproached the writer for its predominantly entertaining nature, was later reevaluated largely because of Murnau’s interpretation.

Research on the Design Aesthetic Characteristics of Chinese Digital Virtual Products in the 21st Century

The advancement of digital technologies profoundly impacts design art, particularly in virtual product design, where new expressions and effects, unattainable through traditional methods, emerge. Digitalization supports designers by freeing their creativity and enabling the embodiment of artistic pursuits. This transformation affects all stages of artistic creation, from concepts to expression, facilitated by the integration of digital technologies. The interactivity of digital virtual design promotes personalized, humane aesthetics through user participation.In the context of China's development, the animation industry's growth necessitates a unique cultural approach. Successful films like "Storm Rider Clash of the Evils" integrate Chinese elements and philosophy, reflecting traditional culture and values. This film exemplifies the fusion of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Taoism, presenting the idea of fate and the unity of characters in accordance with destiny. Martial arts scenes, rivers, lakes, and dynamic fights showcase innovative audio-visual effects. Despite some design flaws, the film's innovations and desire for innovation mark a significant step in the evolution of Chinese animation art, providing new creative opportunities and inspiring future projects. The film's cultural depth, blending traditional elements with modern trends, appeals to a broad audience, solidifying China's position in the global animation industry and showcasing its potential for innovation and cultural contribution.

Research on the Artistic Style and Singing Skills of Zhejiang Folk Songs

Zhejiang folk songs, as a gem within the realm of traditional Chinese musical culture, boast a rich array of artistic styles and distinctive vocal techniques. Their origins can be traced back to various facets of rural life, including agricultural labor, festive rituals, and folk activities, reflecting the diverse customs and cultural heritage of different regions within Zhejiang. Situated on the southeastern coast, the harmonious natural environment of Zhejiang has given rise to a variety of folk song forms, ranging from mountain ballads to farm songs and fishing tunes, each showcasing its own unique charm. Particularly, the refined and understated essence of Jiangnan culture endows Zhejiang folk songs with a poetic and delicate expression in melody and lyrics, culminating in a distinctive artistic style. The dissemination of Zhejiang folk songs is not confined to specific regions; as times change and society evolves, they have gradually integrated into contemporary art realms, becoming an essential part of national and local cultural heritage. Today, amid the diversification of popular culture, Zhejiang folk songs face the challenges of modernization and the struggle of preservation. Nevertheless, they remain a cultural symbol, carrying the memories and sentiments of traditional culture. This is not merely a testament to history but also a reflection of national emotions and artistic pursuits, deserving of in-depth study and preservation.

The Cultural Construction of NewJeans from the Perspective of Cross-cultural Communication

The communication analysis of Korean pop culture has been the topic of academic research. NewJeans, a K-pop girl group, is a popular global pop music group of the new generation, which has the characteristics of a typical example of cross-cultural communication and strong cultural attraction. This paper attempts to explore the great innovation of the K-pop industry by analyzing its cultural construction, and conducts an empirical study on the text analysis of NewJeans music works. The study found that by establishing a common connection with the market based on the cultural narratives of East Asia and the Western market, and fully utilizing its artistic pursuit as a literary and artistic work, it can express its cultural core of companionship aimed at the young market group, combine the retro elements of the millennium with contemporary popular culture, endow Western mythological stories with contemporary metaphors and modernized expressions, and thus achieve a balance between artistic and market value. Through the analysis of the cultural construction of NewJeans, it can be seen that under the macro-guidance of global market demand, only by respecting the market characteristics of different regions, tapping the internal needs of consumers and guiding the situation in different cross-cultural perspectives can the success probability of cross-cultural communication be increased.

The Impact of an Individual Approach on the Development of the Pianist’s Performance Skills at a Higher Educational Institution

Studying the impact of an individual approach to teaching students’ performance subjects is relevant because of the brightness and diversity of creative thinking, artistic interests, and orientation of future specialists in the field of piano art. The aim of the study is to determine the effectiveness of person-oriented music pedagogy. The research methods are: monitoring the process of training professional personnel and their activities after the completion of education; surveying students and young performers; comparison. The results of this study shed light on the problem of an individual approach to the development of musical performance as a whole multifaceted system — one of the modern pedagogical models consisting of several blocks: stages of training based on an individual approach; its components; principles. The prospects of research include the development of a modernized training programme oriented to student’s personality. This is determined by the need to create an individual method of mastering the profession of a performer in the current conditions, which contributes to the development of students’ unique abilities and serves as the basis for their successful realization as an artist. Keywords: Musical Pedagogy; Performance Skills; Methods and Principles of Education; Piano Teaching Techniques; Stage Performance.

HOW NON-CURRICULAR ARTS ARE USED TO STRENGTHEN THE SOCIAL STATUS OF ENGINEERS

The paper discusses the concept of using non-curricular arts to strengthen the social status of engineers by expanding skillset and perception, building bridges, and connections. While there's no definitive answer of how non-curricular arts are used to strengthen the social status of engineers, the study presents some artistic ways of engagement that can impact engineers' social standing by demonstrating creativity and innovation, communication and storytelling, collaboration, and empathy. The study shows that the impact of non-curricular arts on engineers' social status depends on individual engagement, societal context, and how the artistic pursuit is perceived. While not a guaranteed formula, actively engaging in diverse artistic mediums can certainly contribute to a more well-rounded, respected, and connected image of engineers within society. Finally, the paper presents a comprehensive overview of how non-curricular arts can potentially influence the social status of engineers.

A Performance Comparison of 3D Survey Instruments for Their Application in the Cultural Heritage Field.

Thanks to the recent development of innovative instruments and software with high accuracy and resolution, 3D modelling provides useful insights in several sectors (from industrial metrology to cultural heritage). Moreover, the 3D reconstruction of objects of artistic interest is becoming mandatory, not only because of the risks to which works of art are increasingly exposed (e.g., wars and climatic disasters) but also because of the leading role that the virtual fruition of art is taking. In this work, we compared the performance of four 3D instruments based on different working principles and techniques (laser micro-profilometry, structured-light topography and the phase-shifting method) by measuring four samples of different sizes, dimensions and surface characteristics. We aimed to assess the capabilities and limitations of these instruments to verify their accuracy and the technical specifications given in the suppliers' data sheets. To this end, we calculated the point densities and extracted several profiles from the models to evaluate both their lateral (XY) and axial (Z) resolution. A comparison between the nominal resolution values and those calculated on samples representative of cultural artefacts was used to predict the performance of the instruments in real case studies. Overall, the purpose of this comparison is to provide a quantitative assessment of the performance of the instruments that allows for their correct application to works of art according to their specific characteristics.

A Case Study on (EAVIBA) Enhanced Accessibility for Visually Impaired & Blind Artists using Machine Learning

This research paper introduces EAVIBA, a pioneering voice-driven interface tailored to empower visually impaired and blind individuals in artistic pursuits. Rooted in principles of accessible design, EAVIBA seamlessly integrates voice commands, text-to-speech functionality, and a customizable graphical user interface. The study delves into EAVIBA's architecture, implementation of assistive technologies, and commitment to accessibility standards like the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Through a robust iterative testing process, the paper evaluates the program, soliciting both qualitative and quantitative feedback on key aspects such as interface clarity, voice command recognition, and customization features. Objectives: The primary objectives of EAVIBA encompass developing an inclusive graphical user interface, implementing voice recognition and text-to-speech functionalities, providing creative tools and recommendations, enabling customization, and facilitating user feedback for continuous improvement. Method: The research employed a user-centric approach, incorporating principles of universal design in the graphical user interface. The integration of voice recognition and text-to-speech technologies, along with customizable features, was meticulously executed. Evaluation involved iterative user testing to gauge interface clarity, voice command recognition accuracy, and the efficacy of customization options. Findings: Quantitative data revealed a high degree of satisfaction among users, with an average recognition accuracy of voice commands exceeding 90%. Interface clarity received positive feedback, emphasizing the success of the high contrast mode and Blind User Mode. Users appreciated the customization options, with 80% indicating satisfaction with tailored voice commands. Novelty: EAVIBA's novelty lies in its holistic approach, addressing accessibility and fostering creativity. The integration of voice-driven interactions, high contrast modes, and creative recommendations distinguishes EAVIBA from existing solutions, presenting a comprehensive platform for visually impaired artists. Keywords: Assistive technologies, visually impaired, blind artists, voice-driven interface, machine learning, voice recognition.

Oil painting image style recognition based on ResNet-NTS network

With the improvement of economic level, cultural and artistic pursuits have become the new life style of people. For painting exhibition style appreciation, the study uses deep learning and neural networks to classify and recognize the style identification of oil painting images. Firstly, the classification technology of residual networks is used to collect features and enhance regions in images of Western oil painting art. Secondly, the residual network is optimized and improved. Finally, attention mechanism and improved activation function are introduced to achieve the recognition effect of oil painting image style. Through comparative experiments, the results show that the improved residual network has an accuracy of 69.38% in style recognition of oil painting datasets. After optimizing with cosine annealing decay strategy, the network testing system model has the highest recognition accuracy of 74.41% for oil painting style data. Finally, the residual network and the network test system are respectively used in the style recognition of Xizang Thangka art dataset, and the accuracy of style recognition of the improved residual network and the network test system is 87.39% and 95.28%, respectively. Therefore, it proves that the residual network and network test system model based on the residual network and network test system model have superiority in the effect of oil painting style recognition, and improve technical support for art dissemination and management.

Blaze and Sublime — A Preliminary Study on the Aesthetic Characteristics of Red Tangka

The red Thangka not only reflects the Tibetan people’s reverence and yearning for the vitality of life, the brilliance of the sun and the purification of the deity, but also contains the artistic pursuit of fierce and lofty emotions. Through the systematic analysis of 150 works of 20 red Thangka artists, this paper reveals the multiple symbolic meanings of red in red Thangka and the regularity and difference of emotional expression. The results show that the selection and collocation of red is not only the inheritance of traditional Tibetan aesthetics, but also the innovation of modern aesthetic trends. The combination of schematic design, line use and composition form a fiery and lofty aesthetic style of red Thangka. The aesthetic characteristics of red Thangka not only provide us with a new perspective to better understand Tibetan culture, but also provide a rich mass foundation and creative inspiration for the artistic creation and cultural inheritance of red Thangka in the future. The research results confirm that the artistic creation and cultural inheritance of red Thangka have important practical significance and academic value in the sustainable development of Tibetan art and culture.

False Religion and Hypocrisy in Signorelli's Antichrist

This article discusses the iconography of Luca Signorelli's Sermon and Deeds of the Antichrist (c.1502–3) in the Cappella Nuova at the cathedral of Orvieto. A combined investigation of the Antichrist's subject matter, Signorelli's literary and visual sources, as well as his discarded drawings for the entire fresco decoration of the Cappella Nuova, brings fresh insights to the thematic intentions of the artist and his advisers. Signorelli's entire view of eschatology marked a renewed interest of Italian artists in the apocalyptic sublime. It also signified a revival of the medieval tradition of the Antichrist as the arch-hypocrite, and his reign as an apocalyptic age of hypocrisy. At the same time, the artist's treatment of the subject matter indicates an ambiguous stance toward religious hypocrisy characterized by a suppression of the anti-clerical and millenarian aspects of the Antichrist myth.

Street Performances and Poverty: A Literature Review

AbstractPoverty persists as an enduring global dilemma, and Indonesia epitomizes this challenge with a significant number of its populace ensnared in its grasp. The intricate relationship between poverty and busking further underscores the pervasive nature of socio-economic struggles. The term 'buskers' refers to those who choose the streets as their stage, a phenomenon observable across the archipelago, spanning from Sabang to Merauke. However, the evolution of this community has taken an interesting trajectory over time. Beyond conventional musical renditions and sidewalk performances, contemporary Indonesian buskers have diversified their expressions, branching into novel forms of artistic representation. Yet, this transformation does not necessarily mirror prosperity. In stark contrast to their international counterparts, the socio-economic predicament faced by Indonesian buskers remains unresolved. This article delves into an exploration of pertinent literature on busking, aiming to establish correlations between this artistic pursuit and the achievement levels of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1 and 8. Specifically focusing on the DKI Jakarta Province, the inquiry seeks to unravel the intricate dynamics at play and discern potential pathways towards addressing the socio-economic challenges intertwined with the practice of busking in Indonesia.Keywords: Poverty, Buskers, Indonesia, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Case for Reading War Poetry as Ephemera

The First World War blurred the lines between “ordinary” and “literary” writing practices. Many sources corroborate this: necrologies written about poets who died in the act of writing not a poem but rather a letter, or introductions to poetry collections where bereaved families and friends admit they had no knowledge of their loved one’s writing practices until they found a journal full of poems after the author’s death, which they only published as a posthumous tribute. This article uses examples of French poetry of the Great War to explore this permeability between what is considered war poetry and what is considered war ephemera. The main question it addresses is what changes when we look at the war poems that were initially ephemera or ordinary writing. Whose stories get told when poetry is studied not as literature to be judged as accomplished or failed art but as a way of writing to make sense of the world? It argues that when we choose to read poems as ephemera and from the point of view of a larger anthropology of writing practices, diverse histories emerge and communities who write poetry not only as an artistic pursuit but also as a means of organizing experience and leaving traces behind reclaim ownership over their own narratives. This can challenge the false equivalence between the cultural history of warfare and an intellectual history of the elites at war and includes poetry within paradigmatic shifts that place objects at the centre of mediations of the experience of war.

Re St Thomas the Apostle, Killinghall

The petitioners sought a faculty for the disposal by sale of two damp-affected paintings. The DAC recommended the proposal. The court, out of an abundance of caution, directed consultation with the CBC pursuant to rule 9.6 of the Faculty Jurisdiction Rules 2015 (under which consultation with the CBC is mandatory on a petition for the conservation, alteration or disposal of an article of special historic, architectural, archaeological or artistic interest). The CBC preferred to see the conservation and retention of the paintings, there being a strong presumption against the sale of church treasures. The petitioners described the CBC's position as unrealistic, and the DAC noted that the paintings were of limited significance; they would continue to deteriorate if kept in the church; and the petitioners had neither the funds nor the inclination to seek them to fund their restoration.