Three New RISD Global Summer Courses Explore the Arts in Greece, Japan and the Philippines

As RISD students prepare for the fall semester, a number of them are bringing new perspectives into their practices gained through RISD Global summer courses spanning Asia and Europe. As RISD Global Director Sarah Croft explains, “We advocate for global learning opportunities that reflect the school’s commitment to edification through an international lens. Each course provides exposure to diverse cultural milieus and ways of making as well as interactions with artists and designers in various regions of the world.”

Seven three-week travel courses were offered this summer—four popular offerings in the Azores, Denmark, Italy and Japan and three new classes:Truth, Beauty, Goodness: Illustrating Mythologies in Contemporary Greece, taught by Dean of Liberal Arts Patricia Barbeito and Illustration Department Head Robert Brinkerhoff; Japan: Manga Immersion at Kyoto Seika, led by Associate Professor of Illustration Eric Telfort 05 IL and graphic novelist Cat Huang 19 IL; and Tuldok, Linya, Anyo (Point, Line, Pattern): Drawing and Weaving in the Philippines, led by Associate Professor Cheeny Celebrado-Royer and recent grad and Fulbright awardee Bhen Alan MFA 22 PT—both native Filipinos.

The course in the Philippines focused on the Indigenous practices of tattooing and weaving, which have survived colonization and centuries of globalization. Students explored these historical art forms through the lens of drawing and visited three regions: Manila (the nation’s capital), the Cordillera and Cebu Province, where they met with locals and toured museums, galleries and cultural sites.

“Traveling by bangka, a traditional Filipino outrigger canoe [see top photo], we made our way to Zaragosa Island in Badian, Cebu,” Alan says. “There, the students had an opportunity to learn about a traditional Filipino mat called banig and craft their own small banig designs.” They also swam with the butading (whale sharks), witnessed traditional tattooing practices and met legendary, 107-year-old tattoo artist Apo Whang Od, among other adventures.

“Our time in the Philippines proved to be a profoundly meaningful experience, fostering a deeper understanding of the resilience of the Filipino people and the significance of their artistic expression,” Alan says. 

Approximately 2,000 miles northeast, another class investigated Japanese culture in Kyoto and Tokyo, specifically the unique and influential manga style of comics developed in the late 19th century. Much of the course took place on the campus of Kyoto Seika University (KSU), a partner institution of RISD. One of the most rewarding aspects of the experience, Huang and Telfort note, was the comfortable, cross-cultural exchange between RISD and KSU students.

“Our shared passion for art and manga created a strong bond among us despite any language barrier,” rising junior Angelina Nian 26 IL explains. Fellow Illustration major Jonathan Han 26 IL adds, “The Kyoto Seika professors taught us ways to approach problems that could not have been more different from our own.” And Painting major Dylan Gabriel 25 PT simply describes the experience as “awe inspiring.” 

Students who traveled to Greece were also awed by what they saw, from Athens’ ancient ruins to remnants of Greek mythology encountered at the ancient sanctuary of Delphi and the island of Naxos. The combination studio/liberal arts course invited them to consider the impact of both pagan and Christian belief systems on modern notions of “goodness” and examine the intersection of mythology, literature and visual arts, tracing fundamental concepts like truth and beauty through the contemporary Greek lexicon. The class got behind-the-scenes tours of the Athens School of Fine Arts and other specialized arts facilities thanks to a partnership with Artist Residency Center Athens (ARCAthens).

“The trip allowed me to explore myself and my relationship with others in the context of an unfamiliar place,” says rising junior Annie Ramsey 26 IL. And rising senior Lily Van Munching 25 IL adds, “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to spend almost a month fully immersing myself in Greek culture. I would wholeheartedly recommend the course to anyone considering going in the future!”

Learn more about all of RISD Global’s offerings.

Simone Solondz / Top image: students travel by bangka, a traditional Filipino outrigger canoe
August 19, 2024