Graduate Theses

Showing 999 results

An Examination of How Art Galleries and Auction Houses Attract and Retain Millennial Art Collectors

Max Fusi

2024

Art Market Studies

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Thesis

This research paper explores approaches institutions take to promote art to millennial collectors. Understanding the tastes and consumer behavior of millennial collectors is imperative for galleries and auction houses to increase sales. Methods used to investigate these strategies were reviews of art publications, historical trends, literature, analytical data, and interviews with industry professionals. Research shows that millennial art collectors are receptive to forms of art marketing through social media engagement, interactive exhibitions, and social causes. These findings establish an understanding of how art dealers attract and retain millennial art collectors.

Sustainability in the Art World/Art Market Regarding Climate Change = 气候变化下艺术界/艺术市场的可持续性

Hanying Jiang

2023

Art Market Studies

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Thesis

Art, widely recognized as an effective medium for education and advocacy, has witnessed a proliferation of sustainability-themed exhibitions to raise societal attention to environmental sustainability. However, as one of the contributors to carbon emissions and a proponent of avant-garde ideals, the environmental sustainability of the art world/art market has rarely developed. Nonetheless, to eventually fulfill sustainable living for the whole of humanity, every industry has to participate in this sustainability campaign, which includes the art world/art market. Biennials, art fairs, museums, galleries, and auction houses have gradually joined the sustainability movement. The effectiveness of their environmental sustainability within the market is worth attention and evaluation. This paper focuses on evaluating the environmental sustainability effort during the execution of art fairs and biennials inside the art world/art market. It concludes the current phenomenon of the carbon reduction practices in the art market, also offers suggestions for potential effective strategies from within the art world/art market perspective and from a whole society perspective, as well as further research suggestions for the future in terms of sustainability outcomes within the art market.

How Museums Adopt Augmented Reality (AR) to Enhance Visitors’ Experience

Tzu-Yi Chiang

2023

Art Market Studies

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Thesis

Museums play a pivotal role in enhancing and fostering visitors' knowledge, abilities, and thinking. In the past, people used to believe that the best way to acquire historical and ancient knowledge was by visiting museums. However, contemporary museums that solely focus on on-site attendance may seem outdated. Recent research indicates a decline in museum attendance compared to 2019, and even in the post-pandemic era, the visiting rates still remain below their pre-COVID figures. To comprehend the strategies museums employ in adapting to contemporary trends, I have chosen "Augmented Reality (AR)" as the research focus of my thesis paper. For this reason, I am conducting research to explore how museums apply AR to attract audiences. The purpose of this study is to analyze The Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Dalí Museum, examining their motivations for adopting AR. Through examining their timeline of implementation, approaches to integrating AR, and the resulting impact on both the museum and visitors, the ultimate goal is to provide museums with a comprehensive evaluation framework to determine the viability and effectiveness of adopting AR technology. In addition, these findings may interest museum researchers and app designers, encouraging them to develop a broader range of AR applications to provoke a more engaging digital learning experience.

Artist as a Celebrity: Case Studies of Yayoi Kusama, Marina Abramović, and Cindy Sherman

Nino Mtvarelishvili

2023

Art Market Studies

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Thesis

The term celebrity has gained widespread usage in the last century, and its meaning continues to evolve depending on the individual's profession. A variety of celebrities are recognized and admired in their respective fields, such as professional athletes, musicians, writers, business owners, collectors, and artists. Some celebrities achieve global fame far beyond their area of expertise. However, certain professions like surgeons, writers, or artists are usually only recognized and respected by their own specific group. Vincent Van Gogh and Michelangelo are known by people both within and outside of the art world, but their fame has nothing to do with today's celebrity culture. The definition and standards of celebrity have changed alongside the evolution of the media.Many contemporary artists are not widely recognized by most people. While certain male artists like Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, and Salvador Dali have gained popularity and recognition, this thesis focuses on female artists who have become celebrities in their own right. These artists work in various mediums and have gained high reputation and critical acclaim through their unique themes, styles, and techniques in creating art. This research will closely examine three highly influential women artists: Yayoi Kusama, Marina Abramović, and Cindy Sherman. Over the last two decades, these artists have gained widespread recognition and have been celebrated in art circles and popular culture. The objective of this thesis is to investigate and scrutinize the biographies of these artists and identify the moment when they achieved fame. The research will also identify any changes in the markets of these artists and the growth or lack of growth in their careers and reputations during these crucial years.

Bubble Formations in the Contemporary Art Market

Arielle O'Connor

2023

Art Market Studies

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Thesis

This thesis examines the phenomenon of bubbles in the contemporary art market, exploring their formations and how Hyman P. Minsky's five stages of a bubble can be applied to analyze their existence in the market. The study focuses on the contemporary period marked by intense global economic upheavals and new market entrants to the art world. The research provides context by tracing the financialization of the global contemporary art market, showing how it has become prone to bubbles following major financial events. The questions are framed around understanding bubble formation and their links to financial and economic forces. The examined case studies between 1980 to 1990, spotlight the rise of the "Art Stars" of the New York-based Neo-Expressionism market influenced by the financial boom on Wall Street and the Impressionist auction market fueled by the Japanese asset price bubble. The 2012 to 2022 period is also examined, characterized by the post-2008 financial crisis and the emergence of the Zombie Formalism bubble, and later what the unraveling NFT bubble is revealing about the future of the art market. The thesis contributes to the understanding of how financial and economic forces drive bubbles in the contemporary art market. By investigating key periods and case studies, the research sheds light on the complex interplay between market dynamics, global events, and speculative behavior.

Application of Papercutting: Art with Modern Illustration

Meina Zhang

2023

Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)

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Thesis

This paper explores the origins and evolution of the paper cutting art, as well as its impact on contemporary illustration. Paper cutting is defined by engraving, carving, and pattern design on flat material. It has an extensive history universally but especially in the Western Zhou Dynasty, China.

The Cyclical Nature of Illustration

Jane Yeager

2023

Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)

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Thesis

This paper will explore the cultural and technological changes that influenced the popularity of illustration within mainstream American women's magazines between the nineteenth century and the present and will set out to prove that the popularity of illustration within these magazines has a cyclical nature, increasing and decreasing regularly over time. The historical section of this paper will document the initial rise of illustration in women's magazines and the histories of prominent illustrators and styles, while also examining the cultural and technological changes that occurred in each time period and assessing how they affected the popularity of illustration in this context. For example, in the 1930s advancements in photography technology and modernist design movements hailing from Europe caused a decline in illustration and a shift towards photography. Starting in the 1960s and continuing into the present, inventions such as television, computers, and the Internet caused advertising money to be redirected away from magazines, shrinking magazines budgets and leading some to bankruptcy. In 2020, the United States experienced cultural unrest as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, political tensions, and the Black Lives Matter movement. This time of national flux led some magazines back to illustration, not only because the pandemic made it more difficult for art directors and models to meet in person for photoshoots, which forced many magazines to rely on art to fill their pages, but also as a means of distinguishing important issues from everyday topics. This paper will then assess the "Current State of the Art" by examining each issue of a list of specific magazines that are representative of the industry from five separate years: 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 and noting how their uses of illustration change from year to year. This approach provides a structured sample set and shows how the popularity of illustration has ebbed and flowed since the start of the digital age. Based on this information, as well as interviews with magazine executives and contemporary illustrators, this paper will make a prediction as to whether the popularity of illustration in women's magazines will continue to operate in a cyclical fashion.

The Influence of Chinese Figure Painting on Modern Illustration

Sixian Wang

2023

Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)

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Thesis

Chinese figure painting is one of the major painting branches of traditional Chinese painting. It is based on the character image as the main part of the picture. Figure painting can be further divided into Taoist paintings, beautiful woman paintings, portrait paintings, genre paintings, Historical story paintings. The painting form of Chinese figure painting is to paint on silk or paper with a brush dipped in water, ink, or color. Tools and materials include brushes, ink, Chinese painting pigments, rice paper, silk. In terms of painting techniques, it can be divided into white-line painting, meticulous (Gong Bi) and heavy-color painting, and freehand painting. Chinese traditional painting appeared earlier than landscape painting and flower and bird painting. This paper will briefly introduce the history, development, and representative figure painters of Chinese figure painting to pave the way for the subsequent influence on contemporary painters.

Historicity and Decoration of Tibetan Tangka Art

Chuyin Wang

2023

Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)

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Thesis

This paper explores the history of Tangka, which is a Tibetan Buddhist painting on cotton and silk. It existed from Tibet and from early 7C AD to the present. It has nine different forms, but this paper mainly focuses on the three most essential painting schools, Mian Tang School, Chinze School, and Karma Gazi school. The paper will also explore its impact on contemporary illustration.

Modern Chinese Style Illustration's Origin in Chinese Traditional Art

Yikei Miu

2023

Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)

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Thesis

This paper explores what is Modern Chinese style Illustration[国风插画] today and how it influenced by techniques, modeling and element selecting in traditional Chinese Paintings of Gong Bi Figures painting[工笔人物画], Gong Bi Hua Niao[工笔花鸟] (Flower and Birds Painting), and Shan Shui w[山水](Mountain and Streams Painting).

Architecture Drawing as Art Illustration

Laura Marciniak

2023

Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)

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Thesis

This paper examines North American 20th-century architectural drafts, plans, renders, and drawings as art illustrations. For the purpose of the paper, illustration is defined as a creative pictorial representation of a concept - And architectural drawing is defined as any rendering of a built or natural environment. Both illustration and architectural drawing are forms of visual communication, delineated by the intended audience, methodology, and syntax. Therefore, architectural rendering can be defined as an illustrative art form.

Latin America Illustration an Exploration of Influences

Maria De Los Angeles Lopez

2023

Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)

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Thesis

This paper explores the various origins and evolution of Latin American illustration. Latin American illustration is the visual imagery of South America, Central America, the Caribbean, Mexico, and illustrations made by Latin American artists living in other countries. Latin American artists explored their indigenous traditions and those inherited by other regions to create illustrations. Latin American Art has many origins that have evolved pre and postcolonial times. The style has a unique genre evident through the different mediums used to express historical, social, and economic struggles and achievements that distinguish many parts of Latin America. It is not universal and illustrators from different countries have been molded by their experiences, culture, and surroundings. In this way, many of these artists consciously attempt to be authentic by staying true to their heritage. Latin American illustrators have developed disciplines that were partially influenced by other regions, such as America and Europe.

The Beauty of Caisson: The Application of Caisson Art in Modern Art And Design

Jiaxin Liu

2023

Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)

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Thesis

Caisson is the most luxurious dome-like part of a coffered ceiling in traditional Chinese architecture, sometimes referred to as a spider web ceiling. It is a sunken panel in the center of a dome. This paper aims to study the history of the caisson ceiling and discover its impact on modern Chinese decorations. This paper attempts to explain different kinds of caisson decorations and how contemporary designers use these architecture and mineral painting techniques as inspiration.

Pop Art Influence on Keiichi Tanaami

Haozhe Li

2023

Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)

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Thesis

Keiichi Tanaami was a pioneer of Pop Art in Japan. His career began with his graduation from Musashino University of Fine Arts in 1960 and joined Hakuhodo Advertising Agency in Japan. In 1975, Keichi Tanaami accepted an invitation to be the first artistic director of PLAYBOY (Japan) and has been a professor at Kyoto Arts University since 1991. As a Japanese pop artist, Keiichi Tanaami creates a unique style with the flavor of Japanese culture and presents the combination of Japanese traditional culture and avant-garde art, and integrates various fields such as sculpture, painting, and graphic design, and animation.

The Impact of British Children's Book Illustration of the Victorian Era on American Children's Book Illustration in the 20th & 21st Centuries

Katie Kalupson

2023

Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)

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Thesis

Rising rates of literacy, inexpensive yet high-quality printing technology like wood engraving, and changes in distribution helped to popularize children’s books among the emerging middle class in the Victorian Era (England, 1820-1914). As a result, the illustrations in popular children’s books of this era were widespread and influential.

Monsters and Elves in Chinese Folklores

Naodan Hu

2023

Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)

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Thesis

In Chinese Folklore, monsters and elves represent the wisdom of the ancient, containing the Chinese religion and philosophy of over for more than four thousand years. Thus, they have symbolic meanings for both primitive and modern societies. The meanings have changed over time, as have the images and the context which has enabled them to become an excellent creative resource for illustrators and artists today.

The Evolution of Ukiyo-e Art

Yu Fu

2023

Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)

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Thesis

Ukiyo-e Art is a form of illustration of Japanese traditional printmaking using woodblock prints. In its early period, the Edo Period (circa pre-1670s), traditional paintings were displayed through brush, ink and watercolor including Ukiyo-e Art. During the 1670s, painters added textures, pigments and screen prints exploring changes and artistic innovations.

A Fierce Gael: The Legacy of the Celts in Fantasy Illustration

Mattie Courtney

2023

Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)

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Thesis

This paper focuses on the evolution of Celtic themes within fantasy illustration, focusing particularly on the development of illustration concerning fairyland and its denizens – a theme nearly synonymous with Celtic folklore and mythology – in Ireland and the British Isles, and widens in scope near the turn of the 20th century to examine its lasting legacy on international fairy and fantasy illustration and the fantasy genre. Concurrently, this paper traces “Celtic” styles of art, touching upon ancient Celtic artwork dating to 500 BCE and its influence on the development of the tradition of Celtic interlace used to adorn medieval illuminated manuscripts, the change in and decline of this unique Celtic style over the 10th-16th centuries, and its subsequent revivals in the 18th-20th centuries. This paper concludes that while themes and motifs from Celtic mythology and artwork persist in fantasy media today, the lasting legacy of the Gaelic identity on fantasy illustration can be found in its narrative influence on prominent illustrators of fairy tales and fantasy literature, rather than in a particular style of artwork.

Character Design Develops Story and Theme in Animation

Yichun Xie

2022

Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)

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Thesis

Characters created by illustrators have always been a significant component in the field of animation. The plot or story is the words, the theme is the concept, and the characters are the visuals. All are equally important.

Provocative Illustration

Wenjia Wang

2022

Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)

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Thesis

Grotesque, horror, fantasy, and erotica are considered as different genres in Illustration, but they all have similarities which can best be described as one distinct genre, “Provocative Illustration.” This paper will consider Provocative Illustration to incorporate unnerving and/or illogical subject matter and intense picture composition. It might be said these types of illustrative work are often created purposely by illustrators to challenge the audience, in order to push them outside their comfort zone.

Illustration and Women's Rights Activism

Nikki Scioscia

2022

Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)

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Thesis

Throughout American history, women’s rights activists have used illustration to visualize an equal society beyond patriarchy, the dominant sociopolitical system in which men hold the majority of power and withhold opportunities from women. Illustration strengthened the ideology of the women’s suffrage movement of the 1840s to 1920 and the women’s liberation movement of the 1960s and 1970s with persuasive imagery that advocated for their social and political goals, including the right to vote, equal pay, and reproductive rights.

Beyond Narnia: The Life and Legacy of Pauline Baynes

Avery Reed

2022

Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)

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Thesis

Pauline Baynes was J.R.R. Tolkien’s illustrator-of-choice, creating the most recognized map of Middle Earth and art for his short stories. Baynes went on to illustrate C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia series, sparking the imaginations to this day of young children emersed in the woods of Narnia. While Baynes’ work is well known, her name, among both illustration professionals and Tolkien’s and Lewis’ audiences, is rarely recognized.

Otomo Katsuhiro’s Art and its Differing Influence in Japan and North America

Junyu Lin

2022

Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)

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Thesis

Otomo Katsuhiro is one of the most famous and successful Manga artists and animation directors in Japan. He began as a manga artist in 1973. He became successful by 1980 with his Manga work Dōmu. Katsuhiro works in a realistic style that differs from other Manga artists’ simple and cartoonish style of the same time period. His most famous work, Akira, was the best seller in Japan in 1988. In the same year, its Anime film adaptation was also released. Later, Akira became the first Japanese Manga ever to be completely translated into English and shown in North America from 1988 to 1995.

Comic Books versus Graphic Novels: The Differences, the Schism and the Future

Ramon Gil

2022

Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)

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Thesis

Since the debut of “Superman” in 1938, superhero stories have dominated American comic books. Nevertheless, in the past decade, original graphic novels have emerged as an almost separate medium, offering various genre reading far beyond masks and capes. An era ushered in by Will Eisner with the term graphic novel, which he coined and first used to describe his book “A Contract with God” (Baronet Press, 1978), Followed by Art Spiegelman’s Pulitzer-prize-winning “Maus” in 1980 (Pantheon Books) The flood gates have been widening ever since. The difference is not only in content but also in the diversity of the creators, the art styles, the physical formats of the books, and the production, business, and distribution models through which they are made. However, where did this new movement come from? How was it influenced by the comics and comic makers of old? Why is there a separation, if any, and what does the future hold for these two camps?

The Changing Depiction of Evil in Fairy Tales from Grimm to Disney

Penelope Fournier

2022

Illustration (School of Graduate Studies)

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Thesis

Fairy tales as part of European oral history date back to folk tales and urban legends used to trick children into behaving, and instill values and virtuous principles. Stories with villains such as Babayaga, Dybbuks or Krampus have served historically to entertain as well as to serve as cautionary, morality, educational, indoctrination and cultural tales in every culture. For example the tale of Cinderella has had more than 500 versions have been found, all cautionary. These tales began as exclusively oral history before printing allowed them to become part of literature, culture and eventually, history.