This study explores how the Dunhuang cloud pattern is reinterpreted in contemporary media and communication. The focus is on the transformation of the Dunhuang cloud pattern from traditional motifs to modern visual language, employing a multi-method approach combining iconography, genealogical approach, case studies, and in-depth interviews.

Through a systematic literature review and genealogical approach, the study traces the morphological evolution of the Dunhuang cloud pattern from the Wei, Jin, and Northern and Southern Dynasties to the Western Xia period, mapping changes in its form and meaning. The research also examines the modern applications of the Dunhuang cloud pattern in digital art, fashion design, and public art, analyzing how these reinterpretations are influenced by cultural and technological factors.

In-depth interviews with target audiences reveal key factors shaping perceptions of the Dunhuang cloud pattern and its contemporary adaptations. The findings indicate that the pattern is primarily reinterpreted through appropriation, redrawing, recreation, and hybridization, forming a multi-layered diffusion structure. Technological advancements have shifted perceptions from two-dimensional to three-dimensional, enhancing the emotional resonance and cultural significance of the symbol.

Authors:
Zeng Yiwen, Sichuan University, China

About the Presenter(s)
Zeng Yiwen is a member of the Institute of Semiotics & Media Studies at Sichuan University. Her research focuses on semiotics, visual culture, and traditional Chinese culture.

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

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