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This introductory session explores the world of luxury in ancient China and its reimaginations across time and place. Starting with the collection at the British Museum, we will examine China’s role in the internationalisation of luxury commodities through the Silk Road since the 3rd Century BCE. From silk paintings to carved jade and lacquerware to porcelain, we will consider the stylistic impact of Chinese material culture on European artistic traditions. As the search for luxury came to a halt during the socialist era, we will also explore domestic fantasies of the luxurious past in contemporary Chinese film and TV, such as Zhang Yimou’s Curse of the Golden Flower (2006).
What will we cover?
• Chinese Luxury goods and the Silk Road • Stylistic influences of Chinese material culture (Chinoiserie) • The surging popularity of period themes in contemporary Chinese film and TV.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Be aware of historical and culture contexts of artworks in the China Collection at the British Museum • Discuss China’s role in the internationalisation of luxury commodities through the Silk Road • Discuss the impact of Chinese material culture on modern European artistic traditions • Identify contemporary examples of film and TV which reimagine the luxurious past.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This course is suitable for all levels.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
You will be taught with illustrated lecture and group discussion. Please note: this is a live session and will not be recorded for reasons of copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Meitao is an associate lecturer at the Courtauld Institute of Art, where she received an MA specialising in Contemporary Chinese Art and Geopolitics. From Shanghai Golden Age cinema to memes on the Chinese internet, Meitao’s research interests span across 20th and 21st century visual culture in China. She also holds an MFA from Ruskin School of Art and maintains a visual art practice alongside teaching.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/ancient-china-modern-fantasies3045430Ancient China/modern fantasieshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/b/vb194.jpg2929GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Art, ideas & theory22851136117718831228511771136<p>Explore the material culture of imperial China and its influence on modern and contemporary visual cultures.</p>003036331Ancient China/modern fantasies2929https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/product/v/b/vb194_1.jpgInStockDaytimeTueKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2026-11-03T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allNov 2026Culture, history & humanitiesVB1942929Ancient China/modern fantasies231929Meitao Quancient-china-modern-fantasies/vb194-2627<p>Explore the material culture of imperial China and its influence on modern and contemporary visual cultures.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-03 00:00:00<p>This introductory session explores the world of luxury in ancient China and its reimaginations across time and place. Starting with the collection at the British Museum, we will examine China’s role in the internationalisation of luxury commodities through the Silk Road since the 3rd Century BCE. From silk paintings to carved jade and lacquerware to porcelain, we will consider the stylistic impact of Chinese material culture on European artistic traditions. As the search for luxury came to a halt during the socialist era, we will also explore domestic fantasies of the luxurious past in contemporary Chinese film and TV, such as Zhang Yimou’s Curse of the Golden Flower (2006).</p><p>Explore the material culture of imperial China and its influence on modern and contemporary visual cultures.</p><p>• Chinese Luxury goods and the Silk Road<br>• Stylistic influences of Chinese material culture (Chinoiserie)<br>• The surging popularity of period themes in contemporary Chinese film and TV.</p><p>• Be aware of historical and culture contexts of artworks in the China Collection at the British Museum<br>• Discuss China’s role in the internationalisation of luxury commodities through the Silk Road<br>• Discuss the impact of Chinese material culture on modern European artistic traditions<br>• Identify contemporary examples of film and TV which reimagine the luxurious past.</p><p>This course is suitable for all levels.<br><br>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion.</p><p>You will be taught with illustrated lecture and group discussion. <strong>Please note</strong>: this is a live session and will not be recorded for reasons of copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.</p><p>You might wish to bring a notebook to take notes.</p><p>Contemporary art in London</p><p>20 contemporary artists you should know</p>Art historyArt, ideas & theoryvirtual232919VB194NONETue03/11/2616:30 - 18:3016:3018:301 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetMeitao QuBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-11-03T00:00:00+00:00Nov 2026Culture, history & humanities2929Ancient China/modern fantasiesancient-china-modern-fantasies/vb194-2627<p>Explore the material culture of imperial China and its influence on modern and contemporary visual cultures.</p>0000-Available|2026-11-03 00:00:00<p>This introductory session explores the world of luxury in ancient China and its reimaginations across time and place. Starting with the collection at the British Museum, we will examine China’s role in the internationalisation of luxury commodities through the Silk Road since the 3rd Century BCE. From silk paintings to carved jade and lacquerware to porcelain, we will consider the stylistic impact of Chinese material culture on European artistic traditions. As the search for luxury came to a halt during the socialist era, we will also explore domestic fantasies of the luxurious past in contemporary Chinese film and TV, such as Zhang Yimou’s Curse of the Golden Flower (2006).</p><p>Explore the material culture of imperial China and its influence on modern and contemporary visual cultures.</p><p>• Chinese Luxury goods and the Silk Road<br>• Stylistic influences of Chinese material culture (Chinoiserie)<br>• The surging popularity of period themes in contemporary Chinese film and TV.</p><p>• Be aware of historical and culture contexts of artworks in the China Collection at the British Museum<br>• Discuss China’s role in the internationalisation of luxury commodities through the Silk Road<br>• Discuss the impact of Chinese material culture on modern European artistic traditions<br>• Identify contemporary examples of film and TV which reimagine the luxurious past.</p><p>This course is suitable for all levels.<br><br>You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion.</p><p>You will be taught with illustrated lecture and group discussion. <strong>Please note</strong>: this is a live session and will not be recorded for reasons of copyright, data protection and digital infrastructure.</p><p>You might wish to bring a notebook to take notes.</p><p>Contemporary art in London</p><p>20 contemporary artists you should know</p>Art historyArt, ideas & theoryconfigurable
18831136Art, ideas & theoryhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/art-history/art-ideas-theory1/2/285/1177/1136/18831/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Art history/Art, ideas & theory
