Dadi Chen Delivers Insightful Lecture on Visual Arts at Xi'an Jiaotong University

19.08.2024

Chen Discusses Relationship Between Visual Arts and Culture

On 7 August, Dadi Chen, Deputy Head of the School of Business at Wittenborg, presented an engaging online lecture titled Comparing Cultures through Visual Arts as part of Xi'an Jiaotong University’s Connecting the World International Summer Session (XJTISS). The lecture attracted over 1,500 international students from 13 countries, including Russia, Vietnam and Pakistan.

Chen was invited to conduct the guest lecture by Dr Mei Tian, Vice Dean of the School of International Education at Xi'an Jiaotong University, one of the top 10 universities in China.

Chen explained that the XJTISS course, which began on 1 August, aimed to provide international students with a comprehensive understanding of Chinese culture through various subjects, including visual arts. Now in its third consecutive year, the course exemplifies Xi'an Jiaotong University’s commitment to fostering global understanding and intercultural dialogue.

Chen’s 90-minute lecture offered an in-depth exploration of the relationship between visual arts and cultural values.

"I provided numerous examples from artists around the world, with a particular focus on those from China and the Netherlands," Chen later explained. "I emphasised comparing cultures through visual arts against the backdrop of globalisation and the contemporary trends of environmental protection and sustainability."

Highlighting the global relevance of art, Chen addressed several key themes:

Influence of Cultural Values on Artistic Styles: Chen explained how “major styles of visual arts are influenced by the mainstreams of cultural values” and that “artists must represent their world as they themselves see it, making their work a reflection of their time from a particular point of view.”

Philosophical and Aesthetic Influences: Chen discussed the evolution of aesthetics in Chinese and Western art. He contrasted the focus on “religious and spiritual beauty” in Chinese art with the Renaissance emphasis on “humanism and individualism” in Western art. Chen noted, “Philosophers and artists develop aesthetics that influence art forms and expressions, with ideas evolving alongside societal changes.”

Artistic Expressions and Globalisation: Chen explored the impact of globalisation on art, stressing that “combining elements of Chinese and Western art forms can lead to a fusion of traditions, but must be approached carefully to avoid damaging the characteristics of each.” He emphasised the importance of understanding art within its cultural context, quoting Hall (1973), who argued that “there is no guarantee that the intended meaning of the message will be the same as the meaning understood by the receiver.”

"The lecture was warmly received and greatly appreciated by the students," Chen added. "Students engaged with the material by asking thoughtful questions about various art forms and the acceptance of artists during their lifetimes."

The content of Chen’s lecture was based on his contributions to the textbook Chinese and Western Cultures: A Comparative Perspective, edited by Dr Mei Tian and colleagues. Chen authored chapters on visual arts and poetry. The textbook, initially published in 2012 and 2020, is set for a third edition this year, with Chen participating in its revision.

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Chen stated that a course on the same topic, Comparative Study of Chinese and Western Cultures, was also developed and is available both onsite and online. For more information on the course, please visit this link.