Practicality And Its Characteristics Of China's Ethnic Minority Arts And Crafts

My doctoral dissertation, entitled the Practicality and Features of Chinese Ethnic Minorities'Crafts and Arts, is composed of two major sections, one being preface, the other eight chapters of the text.While preface argues the significance in selecting this topic, dynamics of relevant studies, contents of this thesis and research strategies adopted in this paper, the text, constituted by eight chapters can be divided into two components:(1)1st-6th chapters clarify the practicality of Chinese ethnic minorities'crafts and arts and (2)7th-8th chapters analyze the characteristics and commonness of themes conceived in these works of arts and handicrafts. The latter part functions as the key and innovation of this dissertation on which existing studies failed to cover.The significance in selecting this theme is that it might be conducive to intangible cultural heritages protection in China, museum building, souvenir development and production, propagating ethnic cultures, improving and beautifying people's daily lives, as well as pushing forward relevant studies.I use four major study approaches:(1) field study commonly adopted in ethnology (2) cross-cultural comparative studies (3) documentary studies and (4)interdiscipline approaches.The 1st chapter introduces crafts and arts adopted in clothes, shoes, brocades embroider and not least in fabric selecting. The 2nd briefs on the ornaments and hats of minority groups while the 3rd gives light to culinary arts and tableware, the 4th techniques and designs used in architects like folk houses, palaces, gardens and public buildings, the 5th artistry and workmanship in religious culture such as temples, monasteries and pagodas in Tibetan Buddhism and Hinayana Buddhism, Islamic mausoleums and Shaman clothes, the 6th chapter arts demonstrated in everyday life of ethnic minorities in China, for example, instruments cupboards renowned knives embroidered ball and bags,. The 7th gives account of features of such works and pieces in a comprehensive manner, namely, practical use, distinctive ethnic elements, diversity in material using, preciousness and its long history. The 8th probes the commonness of themes in the works of arts and handicrafts of the Chinese nation. By applying analysis of Han traditional themes, auspicious symbols and the "Bliss" culture,I come to the conclusion that the pursuit of a happy and good living is the unifying subject demonstrated in all the art forms of the Chinese nation.This paper covers arts and handiworks from fifty-six ethnic groups in China and even their respective core elements. Articles and pieces elaborated on are selected under the guidance of preference for the new ones instead of the old.