ZEN WITH THE CREATION OF MODERN CERAMIC ARTS
ZEN WITH THE CREATION OF MODERN CERAMIC ARTS
Guangyao Cheng
Shandong Management University
Shanin Feng
Qilu University of Technology
Yurong Wang
Shandong Yingcai University
Copyright © 2025 by Cayley Nielson Press, Inc.
ISBN: 978-1-957274-23-2
Cayley Nielson Press Scholarly Monograph Series Book Code No.: 215-12-1
US$168.50
Preface
This paper conducts in-depth research and creative practice around Zen and modern ceramics, and mainly obtains the following results. (1) Through the literature research on Zen and modern ceramics, the concepts, origins and development of Zen and modern ceramics are mastered, the resonance between Zen thought and the characteristics of modern ceramics is discovered, and the complementary relationship between Zen and modern ceramics is summarized. (2) Through the analysis of representative modern works, the author discovered the specific manifestation of Zen thought in modern ceramics and the influence of Zen thought on modern ceramic creation. (3) The author uses the characteristics of ceramics to express Zen thought through the carrier of modern ceramics, so that people can understand Zen more intuitively, providing a good form of communication for Zen, which is conducive to better communication of Zen and can make more people understand Zen.
In the process of research, through literature research and analysis of the works of 8 artists from 4 representative countries, the author discovered the resonance between the core ideas of Zen such as "impermanence", "no words", "sudden enlightenment" and "no reality" and the characteristics of modern ceramics such as nature, freedom, quietness, randomness, simplicity, impermanence, asymmetry, and incompleteness. Zen thought has influenced the concept, aesthetics, and form style and production process of modern ceramic creation. As a carrier, modern ceramics embodies Zen thought through its artistic expression characteristics, and they have a complementary relationship. The author made a comparative analysis of three batches of 51 modern ceramic works related to Zen Buddhism, and concluded that modern ceramic works with natural clay particles, natural shapes, random decorations, and balanced and harmonious conceptual forms and structures are more characteristic of Zen Buddhism.
The results show that Zen thought has influenced modern ceramic creation, provided ideological guidance for modern ceramic creation, increased the connotation of modern ceramic works, and allowed artists to break the shackles of traditional arts and crafts and express emotions more freely. The author's modern ceramic creation conforms to and verifies the embodiment of Zen thought in modern ceramics, and summarizes that the balance between the concept, form and structure of the work should be emphasized when creating. This study provides methodological guidance for modern ceramic creation. Modern ceramics provides an effective way to spread Zen thought. Modern ceramic creations with Zen ideas make abstract Zen ideas concrete, allowing viewers to more intuitively feel and understand the spiritual connotation of Zen through visual modern ceramic works, thereby promoting the understanding and better dissemination of Zen ideas.
Guangyao Cheng
Shandong Management University
Shanin Feng
Qilu University of Technology
Yurong Wang
Shandong Yingcai University
Jinan, Shandong, China
December 26,2024
Contents
Preface III
Chapter 1 Introduction 9
1.1 Background and Significance of the Study 9
1.2 Research Objectives and Scope 10
1.3 Research Methods and Processes 15
1.4 Definition of Terms 17
1.4.1 Zen 17
1.4.2 Modern Ceramic Arts 21
1.5 Significance of the Research 25
Chapter 2 The Concept and Development of Zen 29
2.1 Introduction 29
2.2 The Historical Origins of Zen Thought 33
2.3 The Spread and Development of Zen Thought 39
2.4 The Core Tenets of Zen Thought 45
2.5 The Influence of Zen Thought on Eastern and Western Art Cultures 50
2.5.1 The Influence of Zen on Chinese Art 52
2.5.2 The Influence of Zen on Japanese Art 56
2.5.3 The Influence of Zen on American Art 59
Chapter 3 The Concept and Type of Modern Ceramic Arts 63
3.1 Introduction 63
3.2 The Concept of Modern Ceramic Art 64
3.3 Types of Modern Ceramic Art 68
Chapter 4 The Impact of Zen Thought's Development on Modern Ceramic Arts 72
4.1 Transformation of Aesthetic Concepts 73
4.2 Transition of Form and Style 76
4.3 Expression of Mood and Thought 79
4.4 Innovation in Processes and Materials 84
4.5 Integration of Tradition and Modernity 85
Chapter 5 The Manifestation of Zen Thought in Modern Ceramic Arts 87
5.1 The Embodiment of Zen Thought in Modern Ceramic Art Themes 87
5.2 The Manifestation of Zen Thought in the Shapes of Modern Ceramic Artistry 89
5.2.1 Vessels and Containers 89
5.2.2 Sculpture 91
5.3 Manifestation of Zen Thought in Modern Ceramic Decoration 96
5.4 The Manifestation of Zen Thought in Modern Ceramic Color Palette 98
5.5 Conclusion 99
Chapter 6 Analysis of Modern Ceramic Art in Different Countries 103
6.1 Introduction 103
6.2 American Modern Ceramic Artists 104
6.2.1 Peter Voulkos 104
6.2.2 Wayne Higby 108
6.3 Japanese Modern Ceramic Artists 111
6.3.1 Kazuo Yagi 112
6.3.2 Shoji Hamada 116
6.4 Chinese Modern Ceramic Artists 120
6.4.1 Bai Ming 120
6.4.2 Lu Pinchang 124
6.5 British Modern Ceramic Artists 129
6.5.1 Lucie Rie 129
6.5.2 Hans Coper 133
6.6 Comparison and Summary of Ceramic Artists' Works 136
Chapter 7 The Creative Process and Methods of Modern Ceramic Art Inspired by Zen Philosophy 138
7.1 Conceiving and Determining the Theme of the Artwork 138
7.2 Element Extraction and Sketch Drawing 141
7.3 Prepare materials. 145
7.4 Forming methods 148
7.4.1 Wheel-Throwing 148
7.4.2 Mud Strip Forming 149
7.4.3 Slab Building 150
7.4.4 Sculpture 154
7.4.5 Mold Making 155
7.5 Decoration methods 156
7.6 Firing Methods 159
7.6.1 Wood Firing 159
7.6.2 Pit Firing and Smoke Firing 161
7.6.3 Raku Firing 163
7.6.4 Electric Kiln and Gas Kiln 164
7.7 Conclusion 165
Chapter 8 The Influence of Zen Thought on Modern Ceramic Art Creation 167
8.1 Introduction 167
8.2 First Creation 167
8.2.1 Step 1: Select the Body and Draw the Manuscript to Extract the Elements 168
8.2.2 Step 2: Prepare Your Materials 169
8.2.3 Step 3: Shaping and Crafting 169
8.3 Second Creation 179
Chapter 9 Deep Creative Practice and Reflection 201
9.1 Further Creative Practice 201
9.2 Comparative Study on the Creation of Works 219
9.2.1 Material Comparison (Including Comparison of Thai Mud) 220
9.2.2 Comparison of Molding Process 227
9.2.3 Contrast Decorative Textures 229
9.2.4 Comparison of Firing Methods 230
9.2.5 Comparison of Production Methods of Large and Small Works 231
9.2.6 Contrast between Realism and Generalization 234
9.2.7 Contrast posture 237
9.3 Experimental Comparison between My Own Creation and those Invited 242
9.3.1 Students Majoring in Ceramics are Invited to Make Comparative Creations 242
9.3.2 Cooperation with University Ceramic Teachers 245
9.4 Technology and Innovation 247
9.4.1 Technology 247
9.4.2 Innovation 248
9.5 Artistic Reflection and Self-Evaluation 249
9.5.1 Challenges and Breakthroughs in Creation 249
9.5.2 Self-Evaluation and Reflection 250
Chapter 10 Research Summary and Future Prospect 253
10.1 Research Conclusions 253
10.1.1 Zen Buddhism and Modern Ceramic Creation Comple- ment Each Other 253
10.1.2 Zen Thought Influenced the Creation of Modern Ceramic Art 255
10.1.3 The Creation of Modern Ceramic Art Promoted the Understanding and Dissemination of Zen 256
10.2 Research Summary 257
10.3 Personal Views and Suggestions 259
References 261
Readership
This book should be useful for students, scientists, engineers and professionals working in the areas of optoelectronic packaging, photonic devices, semiconductor technology, materials science, polymer science, electrical and electronics engineering. This book could be used for one semester course on adhesives for photonics packaging designed for both undergraduate and graduate engineering students.
