Developing hybridised influences inspired by Japanese pop culture and the art of Wassily Kandinsky through collaborative practice

Zhang, H. (2025) Developing hybridised influences inspired by Japanese pop culture and the art of Wassily Kandinsky through collaborative practice. Doctoral thesis, Royal College of Music.

Abstract

This research explores the hybridisation of influences from Japanese pop culture and Wassily Kandinsky’s art and philosophy, alongside the development of collaborative methodologies for music composition. By studying these two distinct sources and merging their influences, this work seeks to uncover unconventional perspectives for compositional practice, fostering creative thinking in cross-genre and cross-disciplinary contexts. Through a portfolio of compositions, I examine pop music elements, Kandinsky-inspired compositional techniques, graphic notation, and interdisciplinary practices. Simultaneously, I collaborate with artists from various disciplines and musicians of diverse backgrounds to refine a collaborative approach that elevates hybridised influences, forging connections between music and art from a deeply personal perspective. This practice reflects my artistic vision, challenges the boundaries of contemporary classical music, and promotes a unique compositional style, emphasizing collaboration-based projects and diverse artistic engagement. Furthermore, the commentary documents the research underpinning my practice, identifying techniques, examining hybridised influences, and evaluating collaborative processes. A practice-based, autoethnographic approach is central to realizing the potential of this research. This methodology facilitates the exploration of hybridised influences, the curation of cross-genre and cross-disciplinary projects, and the development of collaborative methodologies. Through this creative process, I have established connections between Japanese pop culture and Kandinsky’s works, both musically and philosophically, uncovering their artistic significance. These discoveries have enabled me to shape a distinct compositional style and integrate a collaborative approach that bridges interdisciplinary subjects through communication and cooperation. Collaboration has become a vital aspect of my compositional practice. This research marks a pivotal transition from a traditional concert music composer to one who actively engages in collaboration and interdisciplinary art forms. It lays the groundwork for lifelong exploration of unconventional influences in music composition, broadening the scope of cross-genre and cross-disciplinary works, and solidifying a commitment to collaborative practice. Compared to traditional concert music, cross-disciplinary collaboration in contemporary music is relatively new. Moreover, the gap between contemporary music and other artistic disciplines presents a challenge. This research represents an initial step in bridging these gaps, challenging conventional boundaries, and introducing innovative approaches to music composition.

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