Mural Creation is a basic specialized course for Sophomore students of the undergraduate fiber art program. During the COVID-19 epidemic, this course was moved online. The online teaching format allowed Professor Lin Lecheng to increase the content of the course. Effective online communication between the instructor and students led to great learning effects.

Course Syllabus

March 16, 2020

Introduction of the Course

Three Characteristics of Murals

Mural: Definition and History

March 18, 2020

Mediums, Skills, and Forms of Murals

Basic Characteristics of Modern Murals

Mural Creation: Understanding and Suggestions

Some Thoughts about Fiber Mural Creation

March 20, 2020

Characteristics of Murals

Large Fiber Murals: Case Study

Are Murals Necessary in the Built Environment?

Mural – The Art of the Strong

March 23, 2020

Detroit Industry: The Murals of Diego Rivera

Murals around the World – Field Investigation 

March 25, 2020

Mural creation tutoring

March 27, 2020

Mural creation tutoring

March 30, 2020

Spanish Surrealist Painter Joan Miró's Tapestries

Lin and His Friends: Works by Foreign Artists

April 1, 2020

Mural creation tutoring

April 3, 2020

Mural creation tutoring

April 8, 2020

Works by Professors and Students & Discussion

Invited Speaker: Revaluate the Murals of Beijing Capital Airport 

on the 40th Anniversary of the Creation of the Murals

April 10, 2020

Summary

Q：Hello, Professor Lin, how did you prepare for online teaching during the epidemic?

A：Teaching Mural Creation online during the epidemic was a new starting point, a new challenge, and a new test for me, not only because of the technical details of online teaching but also because of the inconvenience brought by the outbreak which forced us to stay at home. There were no studios or laboratories. We had to cease face-to-face instruction. How to teach this course? How to create artwork?

So, with these questions in my mind, I consulted six artists who have related teaching experience, impressive academic achievements, and strong social influence in China's mural artist circle. They are Professor Zhang Minjie, former director of the Department of Mural Art of China Academy of Art, deputy director of the Print Committee of China Artists Association, and deputy director of the Fiber Art Committee of the Chinese Arts and Crafts Institute; Professor Sun Tao, director, Academic Affairs Office, the Central Academy of Fine Arts, and former secretary-general of the Mural Art Committee, China Artists Association, with a master's degree from the Russian Repin Academy of Fine Arts; Professor Qi Zhe, vice president, Department of Arts and Crafts, Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts, and secretary-general, Mural Art Committee, China Artists Association; Professor Zhuang Ziping, former director, Department of Textile and Fashion, Luxun Academy of Fine Arts, and deputy director, Fiber Art Committee, Chinese Arts and Crafts Institute; Dr. Zhang Yinghui, professor, Department of Mural Art, Shandong University Of Arts, and research fellow, Wu Guanzhong Art Center, Tsinghua University, and currently under the tutelage of Mr. Liu Jude; and Professor Wang Kai, former deputy director, Department of Arts and Design, Liaoning University of Economics and Technology, and deputy director, Fiber Art Committee, Chinese Arts and Crafts Institute, graduated from the Central Academy of Arts and Crafts in 1986. Their advice and suggestions have boosted our confidence and been proven to be useful when we designed the course. Therefore, I would like to thank the six professors for their support for the Mural Creation course for the 2019 fiber art undergraduate program of the Department of Arts and Crafts, Tsinghua Academy of Arts & Design.

Prof. Ma Sai, Secretary of the CPC Committee of the Tsinghua Academy of Arts & Design, 

and Prof. Yang Dongjiang, Deputy Director of the Tsinghua Academy of Arts & Design went online to 

communicate with Prof. Lin Lecheng and other professors invited by Prof. Lin.

(Left to right, top to bottom: Lin Lecheng, Yang Dongjiang, Qi Zhe, Ma Sai, Zhang Yinghui, Wang Kai, and Sun Tao)

Q：Obviously, Prof. Lin made good use of the Internet in class to help the students expand their horizons. How about homework assignments?

A：Because the students were forced to stay at home due to the epidemic, we allowed them to have the maximum level of freedom in choosing the theme of homework. Most students selected a research subject which they could find in their cities based on their own interest so that it would be easier for them to do research.

Students Work

"The subject of my research was the mural on the Jiangjun Hill in my hometown. This project allowed me to gain new understanding of what I am familiar with. Prof. Lin is not a stickler for a specific teaching format. He likes to experiment with advanced teaching methods. In class, he created a good learning atmosphere and encouraged us to learn from each other. At a time when teaching resources and materials were scarce, he helped us open up our horizons in his unique ways." by Guo Yang

"Creating a large mural is not easy. It requires superb artistic appreciation and expression skills. I have learned a lot from the wonderful lectures delivered by the professors. I’m inspired to continue to work hard, to outperform myself, to innovate, and to make breakthroughs. I would like to express my gratitude to the professors for their hard work. This course has benefited me a lot." by Li Jingyi

"In my opinion, murals are time-relevant and created for the public eye. Whether it is a mural in an ancient cave or temple or a contemporary mural (e.g., the murals in the Beijing Capital Airport), it is meant to please the public and decorate the space. In the new era, murals can become a strong voice of the times and the public." by Zhuang Shuxiong

"Prof. Lin invited many highly respected experts and professors in the mural world to teach us. They gave their own interpretation to the cultural connotations and forms of expression of mural art. This course has not only helped us open up our horizons but also brought us closer to great artists. I have learned a lot from the stories of great artists." by Li Peiyun

"The content of this course was rich. Prof. Lin invited many outstanding experts and professors to give lectures which have benefited me a lot. Although it was impossible to learn in a face-to-face setting due to the epidemic, Prof. Lin managed to overcome obstacles arising from poor equipment and conditions, and presented us with wonderful classes." by Zeng Litong

"For me personally, this was my first time to have the honor to listen to the lectures of such high quality by so many experts and influencers in the industry. I have to say that it was indeed an unforgettable experience. As for homework assignments, I appreciate the freedom of creation Professor Lin allowed us to have." by Li Zixuan

"In the mural class, Prof. Lin and the invited experts showed us colorful mural artworks, which greatly expanded our horizons and helped us gain a deeper understanding of mural art." by Li Xinyu

Q：Thanks to Prof. Lin for sharing this online teaching experience. As we know the course has ended, do you have anything else to say?

A：At the end of this course, the students submitted projects in accordance with requirements and achieved the learning objectives specified for this stage of learning. I hope the instructors and students will continue to maintain online communication before the end of the semester to ensure the best learning effects.

With the four-week course, the students have been greatly inspired by the instructors and learned the skills, history, trends, styles, and prominent artists of mural art and gotten to know the hardship and happiness associated with mural creation. On behalf of the students of the 2018 fiber art undergraduate program, I would like to thank the experts and professors who participated in the course:

Three Characteristics of Murals - Prof. Zhang Minjie

Four Lectures on Murals - Prof. Zhang Yinghui

Some Thoughts about Fiber Mural Creation - Prof. Zhuang Ziping

Characteristics of Murals - Prof. Qi Zhe

Large Fiber Murals: Case Study - Prof. Wang Kai

Are Murals Necessary in the Built Environment? - Prof. Ni Yuehong

Mural – The Art of the Strong - Prof. Sun Tao

Spanish Surrealist Painter Joan Miró's Tapestries - Prof. Ren Guanghui

Detroit Industry: The Murals of Diego Rivera - Instructor Pang Bo

Revaluate the Murals of Beijing Capital Airport on the 40th Anniversary of the Creation of the Murals - Prof. Zhang Gan

My Work and Mural Exhibition - Prof. Shi Wenli

Source: Department of Arts and Crafts

Editor: Zhao Ruohan