• Cross-Cultural Studies
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• v.45
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• pp.349-380
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• 2016

In this article we tried to discover the predilection of the Goncourt brothers for the noble culture of the eighteenth century. It is well known that two brothers sought to bring forth the aristocratic world formerly reigned by Louis XV and Louis XVI. The favorite themes of the Goncourts included rococo, rocaille, Kings' mistresses, and antiques. Were the brothers fascinated by the culture of the eighteenth century only because they were themselves in the lineage of an aristocratic family? Are there any other reasons behind their predilection for the eighteenth century? This research started from these questions, because we believe that, in their preoccupation with such culture, there must be other reasons beyond their aesthetic predilection. We first studied ideological grounds to answer these questions. Our attention was particularly drawn to the relationship between their attachment to aristocratic culture and their rejection of bourgeois culture in their time. We then attempted to discern the meaning of their studies on the French Revolution, in the wake of the revolution of 1848. By means of this approach, we found that they overestimated the vibrant and energetic culture of the eighteenth century, and they wanted to propose such culture to their contemporaries, in an effort to forget the terrible memory of the year 1848. We can therefore say that the Goncourt brothers proposed a remedy for the psychological torment of their time.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.458-475
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• 2017

Opera is the most comprehensive musical art. In recent years, contemporary opera worlds has seen a variety of attempts to reinterpret operas of the past in a modern light. This has resulted in a dramatic change in the production of musical style and stage art. The purpose of the study was to modernize and streamline opera costumes by extending the scope of existing stage costume design, through the reinterpretation and application of the decorative elements in the Middle Age of Rococo, such as ruffles, frills, shirring, embroidery, buttons, etc., in such a way as to effectively communicate the moods of an opera to a modern audience. The costumes of the Rococo period were reinterpreted in a modern way, with the following results. First, in this work, the male main character was played by a bass to express the image of an older, lazy, rich man. A key element in modernizing the stage costume was selection of the costume color in such a way as to visually represent the voice tones sung by the major characters in the opera. Second, the maid hat and aprons were decorated with frills by applying the curves of Rocaille decoration from the Rococo period symbolize the role of the maids. This represented the distinction between occupation according to class and status at that time, while also expressing the ideals of modern feminine beauty. This makes for more comfortably-worn costumes, and is economical for production expenses. In the future, the stage costume design for classical opera will need to be revised consideration of a modern viewpoint.

• Journal of the Korea Fashion and Costume Design Association
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.15-33
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to categorize the decorative characteristics of the Rococo Age, which displays the most glamorous and elegant decorative beauty, in architecture, interior decorations, paintings, and patterns, and to analyze these characteristics and graft them onto art masks in a modern way. Piece I is a mixed media piece that based its motif on the ceilings and pulpits of the German Vis Pilgrimage Church, which is representative architecture of the Rococo Age. It was glamorously produced using gold and cubic zirconia. Piece II is also a mixed media piece that borrowed its motif from the exterior and gazebo of the Sanssouci Palace in Germany, another representative piece of architecture from the Rococo Age, and it was produced to clearly display the image of the Sanssouci Palace, using emerald and ivory. Piece III applies the furniture trends of the Rococo Age. Curves in S and C shapes, which can often be found in Chinese furniture, along with dark backgrounds, common in portrait paintings, were applied to give a sense of weight and dignity. Piece IV is an application of the fabric patterns of the Rococo Age. Continuous patterns of flowers and greenery stems were drawn on the mask to recreate the fabric patterns of the age. Piece V used the painting 'Swing' of the Rococo Age as its inspiration. Lace and ribbon decorations were used to emphasize feminine beauty and express the loveliness of the woman that appears in the painting. Piece VI borrows from the painting 'Madame de Pompadour' of the Rococo Age and the clothing worn by Pompadour. This piece grafted colors and themes through the painting and expressed a fusion of the dresses of Pompadour and lace that is clearly displayed in the architecture, paintings, clothing, interior decorations, and patterns of the Rococo Age, along with the rocaille (asymmetrically shaped decorations that resemble clams), flowers, leaves, stems, and Chinoiserie styles. These motifs clearly display the decorative characteristics of the age and these were grafted them onto art masks, confirming that it is possible to create new designs.