Finding ways to spread the value of woodblocks in the digital age

In order to promote research activities and cooperation in preserving and promoting the value of woodblock heritage, on November 26, the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts (Vietnam National University, Hanoi) organized an international conference "Woodblocks - Heritage and Technology".

Sharing at the workshop, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Van Hieu, Principal of the School of Interdisciplinary Sciences and Arts, commented: “As a tool of printing techniques, woodblocks have made an important contribution to the transmission of knowledge and cultural values over time. From there, they have made important contributions to the progress of mankind.”

Woodblocks are known to be products of an ancient form of printing technique that first appeared in societies in East Asia and later spread to other regions of the world.

To create woodblocks, artisans used cutting tools to meticulously carve characters and patterns onto blocks of wood. Next, they would print them with ink onto paper or fabric.

Dr. Kang Bo Seung, a lecturer at Kyungpook National University, said that woodblocks hold an important place in Korea's cultural heritage through the preservation of literature, art, and the dissemination of knowledge. There are many different types of woodblocks, each designed for a specific purpose such as printing slogans, calligraphy, images on book covers, or letters.

At the conference, domestic and foreign scholars once again evaluated the role of woodblocks. Many researchers from East Asian countries - a region with a long tradition of woodblock culture - also shared the story of the spread and value of woodblocks in the era of technological development.

From a heritage perspective, woodblocks today should not only be seen as a means of printing and transmitting knowledge, but also as a vivid and visual form of artistic expression.

From a technological perspective, the development of artificial intelligence and virtual reality presents many opportunities in the storage, restoration and conservation of woodblocks. Thus, technology will be the “door” for the public to access this traditional technique on a digital platform.

The workshop attracted the participation of many domestic and foreign scientists.

"Currently, although printing is very developed and popular, woodblocks still have their own consumer market. If we know how to take advantage of technology, the cultural values of the Vietnamese people preserved through woodblocks will be spread more deeply," said artisan Nguyen Cong Dat, who inherited his family's woodblock making tradition in Thanh Lieu craft village (Hai Duong province).

Established in 2015, the International Woodblock Association organizes research and conservation of woodblock heritage around the world, focusing on the East Asia region. The conference is held annually by the International Woodblock Association to contribute new perspectives, as well as affirm the position and influence of woodblocks in the international arena.

TB (according to Nhan Dan Newspaper)

Source: https://baohaiduong.vn/tim-huong-lan-toa-gia-tri-moc-ban-trong-thoi-dai-so-399003.html