The next Japanese calligraphy workshop will focus on kanji 新, which means 'new'. It encourages a forward-looking mindset, inspiring individuals to approach life with a sense of openness to new experiences, ideas, and possibilities.
Project Category: Past events
Exploring Japanese New Year Symbolism and Traditions
Drawing intriguing parallels with Western cultures, this talk will illuminate the unique perspectives each tradition brings to the concept of New Year, offering a cross-cultural understanding of the universal themes of renewal, reflection, and celebration that unite us all. Join us as we uncover the shared and distinct symbolism surrounding the transition to a new year in the East and West.
Narrative as an Interactive Practice Across Visual and Digital Media
Drawing on examples of film, gaming, installation art, fonts and video essay work, this session will be an introduction to the significance of story and digital media as an interactive art form.
Word as Image in Contemporary Art
This talk explores how and why contemporary artists use language, sign and the signage of consumer culture. It will look at a range of examples, including Jenny Holzer and Ed Ruscha to understand what happens when word becomes image.
Poetry Reading: Signs and Symbols
Join us as we delve into literary works and enjoy masterpieces read out loud by amazing actor - Matthew Peter-Carter! Our theme for January explores Signs and Symbols in our culture.
Exploring Signs and Symbols in the Art of the Surrealists
Looking at a range of Surrealist painters - from Salvador Dali to Frida Kahlo, we will dive into their dreamlike worlds filled with symbols and meaning.
Signs, Symbols and Cinema: Iran after 1979
We’ll begin our talk first by contextualising the state-sponsored censorship of Iranian cinema: what are its rules and regulations? What kinds of constraints do filmmakers face? From there, we discuss how filmmakers have turned to visuals, symbols, and signs to bring their message and stories to the screen.
Iconography: reading the symbols in paintings
This talk gives a brief history of how art historians began to study 'disguised symbols' in art and explains how viewers can develop their skills of art interpretation.
Japanese Calligraphy – suspicion
The allure of "kai" lies in its ability to blur the boundaries between the known and the otherworldly, inviting contemplation of the unseen forces that shape human experience. "Kai" not only sparks curiosity but also serves as a reminder of the profound respect for nature and the acknowledgment of forces beyond human control.
Religion & Spirituality in Contemporary Art
During this talk, looking at a selection of artists working across different mediums, we will explore how religion and spirituality have been addressed by contemporary artists between the 1950s and today.