Frame and Design: Aspects of Transcultural Visual Communication in the Ming-encyclopedia Sancai tuhui (1609).

Felsing, Ulrike (2014). Frame and Design: Aspects of Transcultural Visual Communication in the Ming-encyclopedia Sancai tuhui (1609). In: Cluster of Excellence Asia and Europe in a Global Context. Universität Heidelberg. 31 October - 2 November.

In Languages of Art: An Approach to a Theory of Symbols (1976) Nelson Goodman argued that even "realism is relative, determined by the system of representation standard for a given culture or person at a given time". In other words, it relies on a specific frame of reference, which is prone to clash with other frames of reference in transcultural interactions. How is it possible then, the present paper asks, to present information, structures, and designs from different linguistic and cultural backgrounds as well as historical periods with their own systems of representation in such a way that these systems, rather than clash with each other, can coexist in an equitable manner? And more specifically: how can a respectful relationship between Chinese and Western visuals be created that does not involve unilateral authoritarianism? The paper explores these and other related questions by focussing on the Sancai tuhui 三才圖會 (Collected Illustrations of the Three Realms), a Ming Dynasty encyclopedia of images first published in 1609, which is essentially a collection of diagrams, maps and other illustrations reflecting diverse aspects of China´s traditional perception of its own empire, society, and culture. As such, the paper presents partial results of the on-going project “The Exploration of Design Methods in the Field of Cross-Cultural Communication” led by Ruedi Baur at the Haute École d’Art et de Design (HEAD) in Geneva.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Speech)
Division/Institute:	Bern Academy of the Arts Bern Academy of the Arts > Institute of Design Research
Name:	Felsing, Ulrike0000-0003-3791-3316
Language:	English
Submitter:	Ulrike Felsing
Date Deposited:	11 Aug 2021 10:27
Last Modified:	25 Nov 2022 10:06
URI:	https://arbor.bfh.ch/id/eprint/15199