• Acta Via Serica
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.107-134
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• 2018

This paper is an art historical attempt to discuss the transfer and transmission of a certain visual idiom along the Silk Roads and to show the multi-dimensionality of the trans-regional, trans-cultural movement. The motifs of grapes and grapevines are discussed here for this purpose, including the grape-and-vine motif mixed with other animated figures and plants. A special emphasis is on China and its reception, but regional varieties within East Asia are also discussed. The motif is one of the most longstanding and versatile visual idioms, widely distributed along the regions of the Silk Roads. This deceptively familiar motif came to China, where grapes and viticulture were introduced far later than the West. The West developed various symbolisms ranging from manic revelry and heavenly unity with mystic beings, to royalty and power in different cultures. In China, this visual idiom was eagerly received in association with something exotic and re-interpreted in the context of Chinese culture. Without active viticulture, the motif transformed itself into beautiful design patterns and space fillers in China and East Asia. The natural appeal of jewel-like grapes acquired new meanings of fertility and happiness in the traditional East Asian cultural context. To see the cultural effect of viticulture on the visualization of this motif, the Islamic reception of the motif is briefly touched upon when countries to the West of China (서역 西域) were fully Islamized and heavily affected by the prohibition of alcoholic drinking.

• Archives of design research
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.213-223
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• 2000

Computer automation, developed into a major element of modern industry, has also brought to great change in textile design field. Traditional textile designers have been created patterns by free hand drawing with brush. The modern textile designers create and present, on the other hand, printed or woven designs much more utilizing extensively the computer cad as design tool, creating various designs and colors as well as reducing the creative process. Vine pattern the worldwide known is not a pattern simplified from a specific plant but it is rather a plant imaginative pattern that has been developed from a winter plant found in ancient Egypt. Vine patterns express gorgeous curve lines, which are simple but decorative by connecting flowers or leaves with stems. These vine patterns have also been widely used for their decorative arts in Korea since early times because they were believe to a favorable auspice pattern symbolizing a long-life and fertility. In this study, the possibility of developing various designs is explored and presented by utilizing the motif of vine pattern in CAD program.