Personal Perspective On The Generation Conflict In Chinese Culture Through Contemporary Art And Education In The Form Of Fabric Art Installation

Abstract

Purpose: This paper examines generational conflict in Chinese families through contemporary art practice, focusing on emotional and cultural tensions arising from the interaction between traditional familial expectations and shifting generational values. It aims to contribute to installation-based art research by demonstrating how personal memory can be transformed into an immersive visual experience that addresses broader sociocultural dynamics.

Method: The study adopts a practice-based research methodology through the creation of a fabric installation titled The Neglected Room. Drawing on the author’s childhood experiences and family history in the textile industry, the installation employs translucent polyester curtains, ambient lighting, and sound to construct a spatial environment that reflects the fragile boundaries between privacy, exposure, and emotional distance within family relationships.

Findings: Audience engagement revealed strong sensory and emotional responses, with viewers reflecting on their own experiences of generational relationships and personal boundaries. The installation effectively communicated intergenerational conflict and activated personal memory through material and spatial interaction.

Implications: This research demonstrates how textile-based installation art can serve as a methodological and conceptual tool for investigating sociocultural issues. It contributes to contemporary art discourse by providing a model for integrating personal narrative, materiality, and spatial design within culturally grounded artistic research.