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Ten Thousand Things: Module and Mass Production in Chinese Art.,Used
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A richly illustrated look at how Chinese artists have used mass production to assemble exquisite objects from standardized partsChinese workers in the third century BC created seven thousand lifesized terracotta soldiers to guard the tomb of the First Emperor. In the eleventh century AD, Chinese builders constructed a pagoda from as many as thirty thousand separately carved wooden pieces. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, China exported more than a hundred million pieces of porcelain to the West. As these examples show, the Chinese throughout history have produced works of art in astonishing quantitiesand have done so without sacrificing quality, affordability, or speed of manufacture. How have they managed this? Lothar Ledderose takes us on a remarkable tour of Chinese art and culture to explain how artists used complex systems of mass production to assemble extraordinary objects from standardized parts or modules. As he reveals, these systems have deep roots in Chinese thoughtin the idea that the universe consists of ten thousand categories of things, for exampleand reflect characteristically Chinese modes of social organization.Ledderose begins with the modular system par excellence: Chinese script, an ancient system of fifty thousand characters produced from a repertoire of only about two hundred components. He shows how Chinese artists used related modular systems to create ritual bronzes, to produce the First Emperor's terracotta army, and to develop the world's first printing systems. He explores the dazzling variety of lacquerware and porcelain that the West found so seductive, and examines how works as diverse as imperial palaces and paintings of hell relied on elegant variation of standardized components. Ledderose explains that Chinese artists, unlike their Western counterparts, did not seek to reproduce individual objects of nature faithfully, but sought instead to mimic nature's ability to produce limitless numbers of objects. He shows as well how modular patterns of thought run through Chinese ideas about personal freedom, China's culture of bureaucracy, Chinese religion, and even the organization of Chinese restaurants.Ten Thousand Things combines keen aesthetic and cultural insights with a rich variety of illustrations to make a profound statement about Chinese art and society.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What is the main theme of 'Ten Thousand Things: Module and Mass Production in Chinese Art'? A: The main theme of the book explores how Chinese artists have historically utilized mass production techniques to create exquisite art pieces using standardized components, demonstrating a unique approach to art that emphasizes quantity without compromising quality.
- Q: Who is the author of this book? A: The author of 'Ten Thousand Things' is Lothar Ledderose, who provides insights into the historical and cultural aspects of Chinese art and mass production.
- Q: What is the publication date of this book? A: This book was published on July 2, 2001.
- Q: How many pages does the book contain? A: The book contains 272 pages.
- Q: What condition is the book in? A: The book is in very good condition, ensuring a quality reading experience.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: The book is available in paperback binding.
- Q: Can I return the book if I am not satisfied? A: Yes, the book comes with a no-quibbles return policy, allowing you to return it if you are not satisfied.
- Q: What insights does the book provide about Chinese culture? A: The book provides deep insights into how Chinese art and culture are intertwined with modular production systems and reflects broader themes in Chinese social organization and thought.
- Q: Is 'Ten Thousand Things' suitable for academic study? A: Yes, the book is suitable for academic study as it offers a detailed examination of Chinese art production methods and their cultural implications.
- Q: What makes this book visually appealing? A: The book is richly illustrated, providing a visual context that enhances the reader's understanding of the discussed art forms and production techniques.