Japanese Arts: A Creative Exploration
Course Description
In recent years, Japanese contemporary culture has gained an immense following worldwide. Part of the attraction comes from the striking originality that seems to defy pressures of globalization. What are the sources of this originality? Can it be traced to traditional art forms? When Japan opened its borders in the 1850s, after centuries of isolation, Western visitors discovered unique and sophisticated traditions they had never seen before, such as rock gardens, haiku, the tea ceremony, martial arts, ikebana, and Noh Theater. In this seminar we will explore Japanese arts through comparative examination and direct engagement. Through discussions, viewings, readings, and presentations we will learn to interpret historic and contemporary examples. We will do creative exercises and workshops in traditional Japanese arts such as calligraphy, ikebana, and tea ceremony, in conjunction with aspects of familiar contemporary forms like anime or manga. These exercises and workshops will culminate in artistic final projects in a format chosen by each of you.
Meet the Instructor: Jarosław Kapuściński
"My creative interests lie at the intersection of music, video art, and theater. I am passionate about creating and performing works in which musical instruments control multimedia content, blending sound and visuals in innovative ways. Throughout my career, I have collaborated with poets, animators, cinematographers, photographers, dancers, and choreographers.
"My work has been presented at many prestigious venues such as New York's MoMA and the Pompidou Center in Paris. I have also received recognition at international video and media festivals in Canada, France, Switzerland, and the United States. My artistic journey began with training as a classical pianist and composer at the Chopin Academy of Music in Warsaw, which I later expanded into multimedia at the Banff Centre for the Arts in Canada and during my doctoral studies at UC San Diego.
"In addition to my creative endeavors, I have lectured internationally and taught at various institutions, including McGill University in Montreal and the Royal Academy of Arts and Music in The Hague. Currently, at Stanford University, I teach seminars in composition, conduct workshops for intermedia artists, and offer classes focused on Japanese traditional music and arts."
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