Abstract
Keywords:
Sugar Painting, Revitalization of Chinese Folk Art, Human-robot Collaboration, 3D printing, Transdisciplinary
Everywhen, as a conceptual framework, challenges the conventional linear perception of time and offers a perspective that is more akin to a continuous circle. Within this framework, it becomes evident that certain facets of Chinese cultural tradition face the risk of fading into obscurity in an age of intelligence and automation. This is particularly noticeable in the context of sugar painting, which has encountered numerous challenges in preservation with the passage of time. Conversely, innovative techniques, such as human-robot collaboration, breathe new life into these fading traditions. This research elucidates the technical process of preserving sugar painting through collaborative efforts between humans and robots, covering steps such as tool optimization, pattern design, printing test, and interaction design. The findings emphasize the innovative benefits of this approach, including the preservation of performativity and engagement, the evolution of content aesthetics, broader audience reach, and the transfer of skills to future generations. As such, this project demonstrates the potential of human-robot collaboration in the artistic revival of broader intangible cultural heritage, creating a dynamic circle and defying the limitations of linear time processes.
- Shujiao Xie is a doctoral candidate at Nanyang Technological University’s School of Art, Design, and Media in Singapore, specializing in urban media art. Her research intersects urban surface mapping and media façades, with a critical focus on the social and cultural narratives of urban media art in mainland China.
- Kangyi Zheng serves as the leader of the digitalization division at the Innovation Field within the College of Design and Innovation at Tongji University (Shanghai, China). His expertise encompasses intelligent manufacturing, parametric and extensible design, interactive design, and digital visualization.