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Hokusai's Great Wave: The Making of a Masterpiece with Dr. Gavin Campbell

Hokusai's Great Wave: The Making of a Masterpiece with Dr. Gavin Campbell


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The Great Wave is the product of an artist at the peak of his career, pushing himself to explore the outer edges of his creativity. It was also the product of a vibrant print culture centered in Edo (contemporary Tokyo) that chronicled the city’s vivid popular culture. By exploring both Hokusai’s creativity and the print culture from which The Great Wave emerged, we will gain a fuller understanding of both the print's meaning and its broad popularity.

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849) called himself “the man insane for drawing.” He worked in every genre, from exquisite scroll paintings for wealthy connoisseurs to cheap woodblock prints for the masses. He was one of the most famous artists of the day. So when a publisher announced a new Hokusai woodblock print series titled 36 Views of Mt. Fuji, everyone knew to expect something special. They were not disappointed.

Led by an expert on Japanese history, Dr. Gavin Campbell, this interactive seminar will explore the genius of Hokusai through his most significant work. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of Hokusai's creative genius and of the culture in which he lived.
 
As you watch, we encourage you to think about these questions:
  1. How do you think how we look at and assess a work of Japanese woodblock print art is the same or differs from how we look at a Western painting? 
  2. Can we bring the same questions and analytical tools to both artistic traditions? 
  3. After learning about the process of creating this work, how does this make you think about the role of the artist and the idea of an "original" work of art?

Watch On Demand, Submit Questions to Your Expert
Learn Now with Context on Demand. Enjoy this 60-minute webinar that can be watched immediately — or up to 40 days after purchase. As you watch, you can submit questions, thoughts, or comments that will be answered by your expert. Guided discussion questions and recommended reading lists will also be provided to support further learning on the topic. Additional FAQ answers are available below. 

Gavin received a Ph.D. in history from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and came to Kyoto in 2001. He is a Ph.D. professor of history at Doshisha University. His teaching and research revolve around Japan's cultural encounters with the West, particularly during the Edo, Meiji, Taisho and early Showa periods (1600-1940), and he has published on the history of foreign tourism and of Protestant missionaries in Japan. To further explore Japan's global cultural encounters, he is currently writing a book on the history of Japanese menswear from the 1600s through the early 20th century. He is also an expert on Kyoto geisha culture and a frequent participant in geisha entertainment.

 

When will I receive the On Demand Lecture to watch?
Immediately after checkout, you will be emailed your order confirmation. This will contain a link saying "Watch Now." 
How long is this video presentation?
Each presentation is approximately 60 minutes long.
How long is the presentation available to rewatch? What happens if I need to pause and then resume on a later date?
Your webinar is available to re-watch for up to 40 days from the date of purchase. Use the link in your order confirmation email to re-visit the classroom. 
How can I send Context my questions for the Expert?
Input your questions into the form below your video screen on the "Watch Now" page.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

60 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

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