Hello,
Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies at Seoul National University, in collaboration with The Clark Art Institute (USA), is hosting an international symposium on the history of woodblock printing and woodblock artworks across Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Experts from bibliography, art history, literature, and historical studies will present their research on woodblock printing in both Eastern and Western traditions. We welcome all those interested in this topic to join us for an engaging discussion.
Title: Woodblock: The Limits of Translation in Comparative Histories of Print
Date & Time: Friday, May 30, 2025 09:00 – 11:15(Morning Session), 14:00 – 17:00(Afternoon Session)
Venue: Room B101, Building 14, Seoul National University
Symposium Overview
Art history as a field is deeply rooted in comparative analysis—from early connoisseurship to the slide projector era. As global art history continues to rise, scholars navigate the challenge of comparing cultural and temporal shifts while rethinking traditional centers and peripheries. However, comparative methodologies often risk reinforcing narrative hierarchies and assumptions about Western European primacy.
The history of printing unfolds in distinct ways depending on one's viewpoint—from diverse techniques in woodblock carving to variations in conservation approaches. The development of typography in Korea and Germany offers intersecting yet divergent histories, while the acceptance or rejection of printing technologies across Asia, the Middle East, and Western Europe is closely linked to shifts in faith, religion, capitalism, and trade.
This symposium aims to rethink the narrative and methodological challenges of global print history. How can we teach, curate, and interpret print media without assuming that Gutenberg’s workshop represents the ultimate trajectory of printing history? Experts across various disciplines will come together to expand the horizons of comparative print studies.
Program: refer to the attached poster for details.
Inquiries: kml0204@snu.ac.kr