Itinerary
Summer Semester I - 2008
May 24
- June 30* (Dates may vary slightly)
This year's program will take students to Shanghai, Jingdezhen, Xian, Xianyang, Chen Lu, Xining, Qinghai region, and Beijing. A short stay in Shanghai will enable you to experience one of China's most important collections housed in a fabulous new museum. This magnificent collection of ceramics, bronze, jade, furniture and much more will be a breathtaking introduction to this unique cultural experience. Trips to Shanghai's famed European section "the Bund” and the popular antique market will also highlight our stay. The studio portion of the program will take place in the newly established studios on the campus of the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute.
By train, we will travel to Jingdezhen. Traveling by train is the most common mode of transportation and offers the best opportunity to see the Chinese countryside and experience a colorful side of Chinese society. Jingdezhen, the city of Imperial Porcelain, has set the standard of excellence in porcelain production for centuries. From early Song through Ming and Qing dynasties, Jingdezhen has produced porcelain for Chinese emperors and introduced the world to the legacy that is truly one of man's finest artistic endeavors. Jingdezhen's "Crown Jewel", cobalt and copper underglaze decoration on brilliant white porcelain, has been unsurpassed throughout the centuries. During our 3 week stay in Jingdezhen we will live and work at the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute. The studio portion of the program will take place in the newly established studios on the campus of the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute.The Institute is China's national ceramics college and represents the finest ceramic art and design program in the country. West Virginia University's linkage with the Jingdezhen Institute has enabled us to design and implement successful summer study programs that have offered a unique ceramic and cultural experience to many satisfied students since 1996. Participants will engage in throwing, trimming, assembling, underglaze decoration and more. Participants will work in a 12,000 square foot studio pottery studio that has recently established through this unique relationship between West Virginia University and the Jingdezhen Ceramic Institute. The studios are equipped with electric wheels, traditional Jingdezhen type wheels, large fiber kilns, and a wood fire kiln. Lectures and demonstrations will include Chinese Ceramic art history, Chinese culture, calligraphy, enamel-overglazing, traditional brush painting, and brush making. Traditional throwers, trimmers and decorators will demonstrate their skills daily. Students will also have the opportunity to study Tai Chi. While in Jingdezhen; participants will visit local and regional sites: Jingdezhen ceramic museum, Jingdezhen ceramic sculpture factory, the porcelain market, local potteries and food markets. Day trips will take us to Gaolin Mountain (where kaolin was first discovered), Tianbo pottery and dragon kiln, Sanbao village, and a Ming dynasty village, Yaoli.
Next, we will travel to Xian and the Xianyang area of China. Xian, China's ancient capital, once served as the powerful center of the Tang dynasty silk trade route. Rich in cultural and art history, this area is a pivotal site connected to the origins of Chinese civilization. Xian is home to Emperor Qin's terra-cotta Army, one of the major wonders of the world, Bampo Village, Forest of Steles, Xian Museum, Dian Pagoda, Tang Dynasty tombs, Famen Temple and much, much more. Once in the Xian area, we will first travel to Chen Lu. Chen Lu is an ancient pottery village that has carried on the Yaoware pottery traditions since the Tang dynasty. For two days participants will have the opportunity to explore materials and tools relevant to Chinese pottery traditions that have shaped an important segment of China's ceramic legacy for over a thousand years. This tiny mountain top village is the home of family owned potteries that continue the elegant Yaoware carved porcelain traditions. Please see Jack Troy's article, "Gleanings: A Potter in China," in the November 1996 issue of Ceramics Monthly and “Journey to a Potter’s Mecca” by M.L. Carter and Phyllis Handal published in Studio Potter, vol. 25, Dec. 1996. Jack, M.L., and Phyllis went with our group in the summer of 1996.
Next, we will embark on the travel portion of our program. We will depart Xianyang by train for Xining. Xining is a remote area in western China famous for Qinghai Lake, Taer Lamasery and the Tu nationality people. Qinghai Lake, China's largest salt water lake is located in a vast plateau region inhabited by the Zhang people. The Zhang people are colorful Tibetan nomads who raise sheep and yak as they move about this vast Qinghai region. Visits to the Taer Lamasery and a Tu nationality village will also highlight this portion of the trip. From Xining we will travel to Beijing by plane for the final three to four day segment of the trip. Once there, we will visit the Great Wall, Tainanmen Square, Forbidden City, Palace Museum, antique market, silk markets, and more.
