Workshop:

Sam Houston State University, USA

Organizer: Organizer: Prof. Enrique Mallen, Professor at Sam Houston State University

The workshop discussed Picasso’s transition from the so-called Neoclassicism of 1919 to his Surrealist period starting around 1923. We compared works from the Neoclassical style with earlier works from the Blue and Rose periods, pointing out similarities and differences between them. Allegory was stronger in the earlier periods, particularly in his 1905 pictures, and became less significant as he implemented a more classical approach. As many students noted, Picasso’s preference for allegorical readings would return as he transitioned to Surrealism. The workshop also discussed the clear contrast between the allegorical paintings of the earlier periods and the more formal style Picasso explored with Cubism, a style that preceded his Neoclassical phase. The often obscure compositions were compared to puzzles that viewers were challenged to put together. Some students matched Picasso’s proclivity for a variety of styles with a similar tendency in current artists, such as musicians. They accounted for this multifaceted approach to their art as a way of exploring alternate forms of expression. As I explained in my presentation, Picasso was able to to carry elements from one medium to another. For instance, as he collaborated in 1920’s ballets such as Mercure, he took the abstract form of his Cubist composition and set them in motion on the stage, by doing, so he was able to project the allegorical content of the myth onto plastic forms.

Beijing Normal University, China

Organizer: Media Convergence and Digital Publishing Research Center, School of Journalism and Communication, Beijing Normal University; Key Laboratory for Big Data Analysis and Application of User Behavior in the Publishing Industry

On September 8, 2024, the "International Forum on Intelligent Communication and Media Transformation" was held at Beijing Normal University. The workshop was co-hosted by the Key Laboratory of Big Data Analysis and Application of User Behavior in the Publishing Industry at Beijing Normal University, the School of Journalism and Communication at Beijing Normal University, and EWA Publishing from the UK. The workshop aimed to explore the profound impact of intelligent communication on the media field, providing an academic platform to promote the healthy application and development of AI technologies in the media industry. The workshop chair was Professor Qin Yanhua, Director of the Key Laboratory of Big Data Analysis and Application of User Behavior in the Publishing Industry at Beijing Normal University. The workshop focused on cutting-edge topics in intelligent communication and received 70 high-quality paper submissions from 68 institutions worldwide. During the event, 11 experts and scholars from renowned domestic universities, including Beijing Normal University, Shandong University, Hunan University, and Minzu University of China, delivered impressive presentations. At the end, Professor Qin Yanhua presented participation certificates to the speakers.

University of Kentucky, USA

Organizer: Dr. Garry R. Bibbs, Professor at University of Kentucky

The inspiration for this workshop originates from Dr. Allan Richards' book, "Global Consciousness through the Arts - Passport for Students." There exists a profound harmony in human beings when spirituality, humanity, and responsibility are in equilibrium. Spirituality, as we interpret it, serves as a moral compass, granting us a deeper sense of purpose and inherent responsibilities as human beings. Historical civilizations, spanning from the earliest societies in Africa to those in India, China, and South America, offer models illustrating that caring for oneself, others, and the community can propel societies to new heights of advancement. This belief underscores our conviction that spiritual development should be integral to a contemporary educational paradigm, fostering not only personal growth but also communal and societal progress.