“The Production of the Visual Images of Tibet: A Semiotic and Contextual Study”

Abstract

The researcher's doctoral thesis focuses on Tibetan visual culture, and the investigation revolves around the cultural connotations and visual representation practices of Tibetan graphic symbols. As such, it includes interviews and discussions of the work of Tibetan folk craft ICH inheritors, as well as participant observation of design as a tool for creating Tibetan visual culture. However, visual culture is an extensive proposition, resulting in a lack of depth in discussing different types of Tibetan visual cultural practices. In addition, the study focuses on interpreting the connotations of contemporary Tibetan visual culture, underestimating the investigation of the role of design in the construction of Tibetan culture and deviating from design studies. It also fails to consider the responsibility and ethics of design when it intervenes in the field of cultural heritage.
To set things right, this study continues to discuss safeguarding ICH from a design perspective. Design interventions in producing and developing folk craft products have a long history in China. The recent boom in China's cultural and creative industries has demonstrated the commercial value of design in transforming 'traditional cultural products' into 'modern commodities. Effective safeguarding of ICH has become a priority for the government and has received the attention of social enterprises and the support of ICH research institutes. But the role of design in safeguarding ICH should be much more than that. After working with colleagues at the Hubei Provincial Centre for ICH to learn about examples of 'social design' happening worldwide, the researcher sought to explore new ways of design intervention in safeguarding ICH in Hubei Province, using participatory design methods. Instead of being the project leader, the designer is a participant design project, integrating environmental resources, technologies, and forces with the Hubei ICH stakeholders to solve the difficulties in the safeguarding of Hubei's ICH and to stimulate the vitality of the ICH that comes from the people and grows and thrives in the people.

Date of Award	14 Sept 2022
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The Hong Kong Polytechnic University