An Investigation of Chinese Gods and Monsters in Contemporary Film within the Context of Popular Culture through Printmaking

The research project explores the aesthetic visualisations of traditional Chinese supernatural characters of Gods and Monsters within the context of Chinese popular culture in the contemporary film industry, which focuses on the design elements and principles employed in popular Chinese cinema.The "divine and monstrous" characters are among the most beloved genres in Chinese cinema and have evolved alongside modernisation.Drawing from traditional fantastic literature and integrating emerging technologies, these films construct more complex and diverse supernatural beings that resonate with international audiences.The key artists in this study are Chen Siyu, Guo Zikai,Shan Ze, and LianYang who engage in deconstructing and reconstructing traditional supernatural characters, contributing to the portrayal of modernised supernatural characters and values.Utilising printmaking as a creative and constructive medium, this research project investigates and elucidates the modern visualisations of gods and monsters in Chinese contemporary popular film culture.By merging modern popular elements with traditional supernatural elements, the project showcases contemporary lifestyles and cultural significance, facilitating the continuity of traditional culture and its integration into popular design elements that cater to the aesthetic demands of contemporary entertainment markets.