How could this transition of an isolated culture to one that embraced the cultural, economic and technological achievements of the West effect its art scene? The transition of an isolated culture to one that embraced the West significantly affected its art scene. Japanese artists have been influenced heavily influenced by Western art and practices, just as oppositely, Western artists have been influence by Japanese art and practice.
The famous woodblock print, “The Great Wave off Kanagawa” 1829-32 exemplifies a western influence on Japanese art. Hokusai utilises the dwarfing wave over small, vulnerable ships to symbolise the Japanese art swayed by a strong western influence. Similarly Yoshitoshi, in “looking as if she is enjoying a stroll: a lady of the Meiji era” 1888 presents a traditional Japanese women in obvious western clothing, a purple tartan dress and jacket showing the impact of western culture on Japanese art. However the Japanese flowers and writing on the background in similar colours to foreground represent a harmonious connection between the two cultures, which has benefited both. Van Gogh’s, “Flowering Plum Tree” 1887 shows the inverse, the Japanese style oil painting represents the effect of Japanese culture on western art and practices.
How could the impact of World War II on Japan and its establishment as a global, corporate identity affect the art being produced in Japan? The impact of World War II and Japan’s establishment as a global corporate identity highly affected the art being produced in Japan. Art became more industrialised, woodblock prints readily utilised, and the Western influence gave rise to modern techniques and practices, which replaced the more traditional approaches to art. World War II led to an increase in tension between the two cultures and the connection between the Japanese and western art scene suffered. However Japans later establishment as a global corporate identity re-established the connection by strengthening world ties and thus the art scene flourished.
Post war was a time of consumer culture and western products, techniques and tradition. How could this effect the art being made out of Japan? The Post war art scene in Japan was heavily influenced by the western consumer culture, products, techniques and tradition. A flourishing and strong consumer culture in the west was a large influence on other countries, namely Japan, who readily accepted this connection between them.
Japanese art saw signs of this western consumerism and material culture. Similarly the growth of western products in japan led to artistic change, Japanese art taking on a more western, materialistic tone. Also a booming industry in the west, resulting in new techniques and art practices replacing tradition significantly influenced the way Japanese art was made. An emphasis on experimentation and rise of modernism and contemporary art challenging the traditions and even the movement before led to new forms of art coming from japan. The art made out of Japan was heavily influenced by this era of consumer culture and western products.
