#10 - Modern Chinese Man, Min Wang

China has history. How long? Thousands of years. A lot of time to accumulate a long history of what is considered to be traditional Chinese art. You know, the beautiful calligraphy and paintings that we're all familiar of seeing in our history books...or when we think of Ancient China or stereotypical Asian art in general.

What has happened within the recent years, however, is the modernization of China. Socially, economically, and culturally, China has evolved from being a sort of third world country to a booming industrial center that now is heavily involved in the global economy. Perhaps it's even the core of the global economy, since almost everything is "Made in China" it seems. Either way, it seems almost inevitable that Western influences would someone infiltrate the 5,000-year old world of Chinese Art and mix up the style here and there. Since 1980, China has accepted international commerce along with the cross-cultural affect that sort of global exchange results in. There are many notable pioneers of modern Chinese graphic design, but the one that I feel best demonstrates the collaboration between the West and the East is graphic designer and dean of CAFA: Min Wang.

(MIN WANG!)

Min's academic background is obviously one that was strict. Although he is an artist, Min went through all the educational training, studying in America at Yale's School of Art and later working with Adobe Systems' Creative Services Department. Since he lived in America and went to school here, Min was largely exposed to American culture and the artistic style that his American peers portrayed. Then he went back to China; the result was hybridization of western and eastern design. Wang is known for his "strong cross-cultural perspective" and his ability to fuse works of more Western styles with traditional Eastern pieces. Thus, he was chosen as the perfect candidate for creating the graphics and icongraphy of the famous Beijing Olympics in 2008. 

(postage stamps of Olympics)

(design of outfits for the runners)

(the medals!)

The Olympics represent a time of global interaction. Thus, it's vital that the graphic design of the logos, clothes, medals, etc. are seen by the world as visually attractive and welcoming. Wang is able to do the job effectively by creating a plethora of items for the Olympics that are sophisticated and contain a "global aura", but also have that touch of whimsical Chinese essence. Luckily, Wang was born during a time where acceptance of Western influences with Chinese art was much more accepted. If he was born a century earlier, perhaps he wouldn't have been blessed with such a lenient opportunity, since the thousands year-long industry of Chinese art wasn't as welcoming as it was then. This reminds me of how digital graphic design or retro design wasn't widely accepted, but the graphic designers who pioneered the movements remained determined of their craft and eventually it pushed through and became widespread phenomenas.