Research on functional innovations in Chinese porcelain: from tradition to modernity

The article examines the transformation of the aesthetics and style of Chinese porcelain in the 20th-21st centuries in terms of its innovative functionality. The study considers the new functions of Chinese porcelain as a complex phenomenon. Innovation incorporates three aspects: technological development, changes in cultural meanings, and market adaptation. It shows how traditional craftsmanship methods and time-tested techniques of decoration and form creation are being replaced by new ones. In the new methods of working with products, digital technologies and modern materials are combined with historical heritage. The aim of the article is to highlight the possibilities of preserving the foundations of traditional art in conjunction with contemporary ideas and methods. Examples of the development of ceramics are provided: from new decoration techniques in the early 20th century to modern experiments. The research is interdisciplinary, combining historical and cultural analysis of sources, comparative study of technological processes, and empirical evaluation of contemporary projects in ceramic art and industrial design. Cultural analysis is employed in the research to demonstrate how the canons of beauty and the symbolism of the past coexist in the realm of modern functionality, extending into digital culture. The scientific novelty of the research lies in its interdisciplinary approach, integrating art history, technology, and cultural studies. It is shown that digital technologies do not replace traditional methods but rather enhance their cultural value. This work also contributes to the study of the impact of globalization on the porcelain market, presenting an analysis of the demand for souvenirs and works of art. The conclusion is drawn that knowledge of cultural traditions assists contemporary designers, and technological modernization (digitization, 3D printing) does not substitute traditional practices but, on the contrary, reinforces their cultural significance. The content of the article may be useful for researchers preserving the heritage of any culture through the reinterpretation of its cultural symbols. The author suggests that tradition and innovation do not oppose each other but mutually support one another in a continuous dialogue between eras, where technological breakthroughs find meaning through connection with cultural memory.

Chinese porcelain, functional innovation, tradition and modernity, decorative craftsmanship, contemporary porcelain, 3D printing, influence of globalisation, design, market demand, cultural heritage