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Pix3M — Environment Study #1: Ming Dynasty interior
#16bit #asia #china #dynasty #environment #ming #pixelart #sprite #study
Published: 2014-11-18 10:00:39 +0000 UTC; Views: 2332; Favourites: 51; Downloads: 24
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Yesterday, I shook my head at a very unconvincing attempt at an Asian setting. Of course, I could be talking about how nobody uses wine glasses in China but I should do my homework to make sure I know what I'm talking about as well. Doesn't hurt to doublecheck.
I had to trust that an exhibit in Shanghai placed furniture in a manner that is accurate to how people actually arranged their furniture back then. You can show me pictures of antique furniture, but that won't tell me how people place their furniture which is the other half of interior design. If I were to be fluent in Chinese, I would bet I can find tons more info, but English language sources will have a tendency to exoticize, take out of context, and give irrelevant or inaccurate information.
Chinese furniture seems very interesting, made primarily of rosewoods, they have quite a fragrance when they are new. These woods are also sturdy so that furniture can be constructed from just jointery and dowelling alone, and the laquered wood has a really iconic dark-red look that I've assocated with China. Also, being able to make folding chairs has gotta be awesome.
On the other hand, about the wine glass remark, I was amused to have one ordered hot sake at a supposedly "Japanese" restaurant and be given a pitcher that I would have normally confused for a flower vase
This was intended to be quick just so I can get something 'good enough'
And my next study of this time period:
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Comments: 11
If you really want to know the interior design of Chinese settings in the old days, you could read books in a library or visit a museum.
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I am sure I can find a museum on Asian furniture in the Seattle area, and find English-language sources that keep everything in context, thank you so much!
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I really love the texture and color of the wood, the almost reddish ting sells it to me ^^
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Apparently, one source says that's exactly what the Chinese valued in their furniture
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If Chinese historical reference is lacking, you will likely find other sources that have recorded their trade relations with the country. China hasn't taken very much in the way of influences, having the skills and techniques often well before anyone else. A good example is the crossbow, which was used in ancient China hundreds of years before the English figured out how to make them as efficient and effective.
A few good documentaries are all I can recommend, bud. Good hunting!
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And this is a wonderful irony, because the Cultural Revolution means that some of the knowledge of historical cultures may as well be lost in the mainland and a good amount of info not lost is probably found overseas
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China even today protects its culture and more than any other is able to safeguard it. Censorship is such a powerful barrier and it is exercised very well in that society. PBS played an in depth documentary about the Emperor's clay army called "The Ghost Army". Look it up!
I know there are others.
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My parents have some terracotta figures with them too, but didn't know there's a bunch of other fun stuff about them too. I later found another documentary on the forbidden city. Apparently that survived the cultural revolution because a commander defended it with the military.
I'm gonna guess that Chinese sources aren't a total loss
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Mostly because of modern technology. There are no period records for reference, the closest are about three hundred years old. Advances have unearthed a lot of mysterious information, though. Fascinating stuff!
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