Resources

The qipao is a stylish, sophisticated form-fitting dress that emerged in 1920s Shanghai. Meet Jane Zhu: she’s studied qipao patternmaking and construction from master tailors. Celebrated in Shanghai and New York for her contemporary, made-to-order luxury qipao, Zhu’s been featured in Vogue, Elle China, Harper’s Bazaar China, Newsweek, and more. She will share her qipao designs and give a talk on the history and craftsmanship of these iconic, versatile dresses.

The River deity Ganga, approx. 800–900. India; Madhya Pradesh or Rajasthan state. Sandstone. The Avery Brundage Collection, B69S3.

Lesson on the individual rituals performed by Muslim pilgrims during the hajj, the pilgrimage to Mecca.

Explore this interactive map. Zoom-in on high resolution details and discover English translations of the classical Chinese text and synopsis by scholars.Explore this interactive map.

Learn about the main events and conflicts in the Rama epic.

Why is the epic of Rama a beloved tale in many cultures across South and Southeast Asia? Explore how this story and its characters has remained significant in the lives of millions even today.

This lustrous stoneware vessel is a ewer, or pitcher, dating to the early 1100s, during Korea’s Goryeo dynasty (918–1392). It was probably used for wine, which may have been warmed by placing the ewer in a matching bowl of heated water. The ewer’s color is called celadon, which is created by a glaze that includes iron oxide. Today, connoisseurs around the world continue to treasure Goryeo celadon as among the most precious items created by Korean artisans.

Heman Chong imagines a future of dystopian stillness with Calendars (2020–2096), an installation of 1001 photos, each a calendar page capturing a moment of complete emptiness in today’s bustling areas of Singapore. View this work for yourself at the Asian Art Museum during the exhibition, Phantoms of Asia: Contemporary Awakens the Past (on view from May 18–September 2, 2012).

Dr. Sanford Tom explores Huangshan (or the Yellow Mountain), which is often considered the most beautiful as well as the strangest mountain in China.

Asian Art Museum Art Speak teaching artist, Adrienne Skye Roberts, discusses the inspiration behind her work with the Art Speak interns and her own art.