Cultural Considerations
On the Representation of Women’s Clothing Depicted by Taiwanese Painters Under the Influence of the Social Trend of Japanese Taisho Culture
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Shu-fang Huang
Clothing often conveys the spirit of the times and also represents its cultural characteristics. By reviewing the representation of clothing, this study explores female images depicted in the works of Taiwanese painters who were influenced by the Japanese Taisho culture. Women’s clothing presented in Japan’s Taisho period (1912-1926) was characterized by a mixture of traditional styles with Western influences. These changes of fashion in Japan had some influences on Taiwanese clothing. As Taiwan was under Japanese rule during the Taisho period, some painters depicted images of women then and thereupon. The content and style of the paintings clearly reflected social changes and artistic phenomena hereafter, including changes in the status and image of women. This study explores the artists’ cultural identification through the clothing items of the female figures of the colonized people portrayed by Taiwanese painters. This study discusses the following key issues: (1). The reflection of social changes and cultural manifestations in Japan’s Taisho period over Taiwanese art. Based on pictorial references, the paper explores the characteristics of the female images depicted in the paintings under the influence of the Taisho culture in Japanese-colonized Taiwan. (2). How did Taiwanese painters illustrate the clothing styles of women in their works at that time, including the connection or blending of Chinese, Japanese and Western clothing in concerning fashions? From these appearances, this study further explores how do the representations of female clothing reflect the cultures and values that these artists identified with Taiwanese society then.
Case Study for Fashion Design Education: Fashion as Media for the Transmission of Cultural Heritage View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Hiu Cheng
Traditional cultural heritage is increasingly at risk of being lost amidst the forces of globalization and modernization. However, the fashion industry has emerged as a potential medium for the transmission and preservation of local cultural elements. This research explores how fashion design education can facilitate the integration of cultural heritage into contemporary fashion practices. The study was conducted at the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi), one of the higher education institutions offering a bachelor's degree in fashion design in Hong Kong. Through interviews with students, observations of studio-based courses, and analysis of student design portfolios, the research examines the pedagogical strategies, challenges, and outcomes of teaching fashion as a vehicle for cultural heritage transmission. The findings suggest that fashion design education can play a crucial role in equipping the next generation of designers with the knowledge, skills, and sensibilities to respectfully engage with cultural heritage. Key pedagogical approaches include immersive cultural immersion experiences, collaborative projects with local communities, and the development of design processes that based on the chosen cultural topics.This case study offers insights into how fashion design curricula can be reimagined to empower students to become custodians and ambassadors of local cultural heritage. The research has implications for fashion education programs seeking to cultivate designers who can contribute to the sustainable transmission of cultural identities through their creative practice.
An Intricate Study of the Cultural Artefacts and Associated Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Raj Gonds of Telangana View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Krishna Trivedi, Deepak John Mathew
This research concerns the material culture and associated intangible cultural heritage of India's earliest and second-largest indigenous group: the Raj Gonds. Traditional artefacts made for ceremonial and utilitarian purposes play a vital role in their socio-cultural life. The Raj Gonds of Telangana are the successors of the Chanda Rulers. They continue to celebrate their cultural festivals and rituals around the year. The artefacts are an integrated part of the Indigenous cultural heritage and living traditions. Cultural artefacts include tools, artworks, clothing, and ritual objects, which often carry deep meanings tied to ancestral knowledge, spiritual beliefs, and social structures. The study reports the interplay between tangible and intangible cultural heritage by analysing these objects' materiality, symbolism, and functionality and tries to understand the significance of cultural artefacts in the living traditions of the Raj Gonds. The data was collected using ethnographic methods, including semi-structured interviews, participatory observation, and Audio-visual documentation to reveal how these artefacts are not merely physical items but powerful symbols that reinforce kinship, maintain intergenerational continuity, and foster communal solidarity within the Gond society. The findings underscore the need for preservation efforts that respect indigenous values and support sustainable practices, as these artefacts are increasingly at risk due to globalization, modernization, and commodification pressures. This study contributes to the broader understanding of cultural heritage and identity in Indigenous contexts, emphasizing the importance of protecting the living heritage associated with the artefacts to safeguard the cultural values they represent for future generations.
Featured Pursuit of Happiness in Chennai: Designing an Intervention to Promote Happiness and Wellbeing among Young Adults View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Shwetha Raja
This research investigates the potential of design to foster happiness and well-being among young adults in Chennai, India, addressing the region’s low happiness levels as indicated by global reports. How can design play a role in augmenting happiness? By combining human-centered design and positive design frameworks, the study explores how carefully crafted design interventions can transform fleeting moments of happiness into long-term well-being. Drawing on historical, cultural, and psychological perspectives, the study examines the factors influencing happiness, including societal norms, mental health challenges, and environmental contexts. The methodology includes mixed methods research through qualitative interviews with key stakeholders, and surveys assessing happiness levels and needs. A cultural probe kit to understand what happiness means to young adults in Chennai would also be used to collect and understand data on happiness in Chennai. The findings aim to provide actionable insights into how design can reshape behaviors, perceptions, and societal structures, contributing to a culture of happiness in Chennai. This research underscores the transformative potential of design as a tool for addressing mental health challenges and promoting holistic well-being, a fairly new concept in Chennai.
