Chinese Calligraphy A Microcosm of Culture, An Art Form par excellence San-pao Li, Ph.D. Department...

Chinese CalligraphyA Microcosm of Culture,

An Art Form par excellence

San-pao Li, Ph.D.Department of Asian and Asian American Studies

California State University, Long Beach

January 24-March 6, 2004

Studio Channel Islands Art Center

Camarillo, California

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IntroductionIntroduction• Chinese calligraphy is widely recognized as a

bona fide “fine art”

• Chinese calligraphy is perhaps the most culturally-rich form of direct artistic expression

• More than fair or elegant writing or penmanship

• Serves more than a linguistic purpose

• It is a highly sophisticated form of art

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Sample CalligraphySample Calligraphy

Zhao Yong (Yuan)

Zhao Yong (Yuan)

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Yu Yue (Qing)Yu Yue (Qing)

fragrance

fragrance

antiquity/pastantiquity/past

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IntroductionIntroduction

• It adds an absorbing, visual element to the beauty of thought

• It is a national taste, a common aesthetic instinct nourished from childhood

• Used to express felicitations or condolences• An immediate expression of the character and

sensibility of the artist• Was the passport to successful official career

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IntroductionIntroduction• It is a serious form of self-discipline --

an arduous process• Requires mental preparation --

quietude and serenity• Requires mastery of literature• Rigorous moral cultivation and fortitude• “If the mind is upright, the brush strokes

will be right.”

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The Three Forms of The Three Forms of Fine ArtFine Art in Chinese Traditionin Chinese Tradition

Poetry Calligraphy

Painting vs.

Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture

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Qualities of Qualities of Fine CalligraphyFine Calligraphy

•The “strength of bone”

•Organic unity•Rhythmic vitality

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•The “strength of bone”– the Yin and the Yang– opening and closing– void and solidity– front and back– rising and falling

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Wang Shimin (Ming)

Wang Shimin (Ming)

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Jin Shi (Ming)Jin Shi (Ming)

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Emperor Huizong (Song)Emperor Huizong (Song)

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Huai Su (Tang)Huai Su (Tang)

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•Organic Unity–Reflects the dynamism, grandeur, and limitlessness of the art of Chinese calligraphy

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Zheng Banqiao

Zheng Banqiao

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San-pao

Li

San-pao

Li

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San-pao LiSan-pao Li

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•Rhythmic Vitality– is of supreme significance–an abundance of very fine masterpieces that exemplify this essential quality

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Huai Su

(Tang)

Huai Su

(Tang)

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Zhang Xu (Tang)Zhang Xu (Tang)

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Huang Tingjian (Song)

Huang Tingjian (Song)

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Qi BaishiQi Baishi

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Chinese CalligraphyChinese Calligraphyas a “Fine Art”as a “Fine Art”

• A spatial art form• Linear arrangement and composition• Structurally dynamic• Most effective and direct medium of

self-expression• Uninhibited individual creativity• Supreme form of visual art

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Chinese Calligraphy is a MostChinese Calligraphy is a MostCulturally-Rich Art FormCulturally-Rich Art Form• It is history

• It is philosophy

• It is poetry

• It is literature

• It reveals the deepest emotions

• It reflects the social mores

• It manifests the ethos and values

• It captures the spirit of the time

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Appreciation of ItsAppreciation of ItsPhilosophical ProfundityPhilosophical Profundity

• It fascinates• It stimulates• It motivates• It inspires• It enlightens• It develops depth of

character in learner

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Roaming Leisurely in the Roaming Leisurely in the Garden of PoetryGarden of Poetry

• “Wintry River in Snow” (Jiang Xue)• “The Deer Park Hermitage” (Lu Zhai)• “Farewell to Ling Che” (Song Ling Che)• “The Maple Bridge” (Feng Qiao Ye Bo)• etc.

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The Notion of AestheticsThe Notion of Aesthetics

The Platonic notion of the beautiful is hardly distinguishable from the good.

In the Chinese consciousness, the good must demonstrate order and harmony.

Harmonized state of contradictions, according to A. H. Muller (1779-1829), represents the highest good.

Harmony is both an intrinsic quality of art and the sine qua non of real freedom.

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Coincidentia Oppositorum Reconciliation of the

Opposites

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BeautyBeauty

GoodnessGoodness

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Styles of Chinese CalligraphyStyles of Chinese CalligraphyA Sense of HistoryA Sense of History

• The oracle bone style (jiaguwen)• The bronze and stone drum inscriptions

(zhongdingwen, shiguwen, dazhuan)• The seal style (xiaozhuan)• The clerical style (lishu-Hanli, Weibei)• The running style (xingshu)• The cursive style (caoshu)• The modern styles (kaishu, shoujinti,

tiexianzhuan, bafenshu, kuangcao, etc.)

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Oracle BoneOracle Bone

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Dong ZuobinDong Zuobin

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Sanshipan (8th-Century B.C.Sanshipan (8th-Century B.C.

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Wu ChangshuoWu Changshuo

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Yishan Bei

(Qin)

Yishan Bei

(Qin)

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Lu She (Ming)Lu She (Ming)

rocksrocks brooksbrooks

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Zhao Mengfu (Yuan)Zhao Mengfu (Yuan)

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Caoquanbei

(Han)

Caoquanbei

(Han)

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Wang Xizhi

(Jin)

Wang Xizhi

(Jin)

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Liu Gongquan

(Tang)

Liu Gongquan

(Tang)

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Xuanzong (Tang)Xuanzong (Tang)

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Yan Zhenqing

(Tang)

Yan Zhenqing

(Tang)

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Mi Fei (Song)Mi Fei (Song)

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Huang Tingjian (Song)Huang Tingjian (Song)

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Wu Ju (Song)

Wu Ju (Song)

Your old residence was

west of the North Bridge;

Your old residence was

west of the North Bridge;

The willow branches touch the clear water of the brook by

the bridge,

The willow branches touch the clear water of the brook by

the bridge,

When I come to revisit, it

appears to be beautifully and enigmatically

quaint,

When I come to revisit, it

appears to be beautifully and enigmatically

quaint,

The sun is warm, flowers sweet, and the mountain birds

are singing incessantly.

The sun is warm, flowers sweet, and the mountain birds

are singing incessantly.

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Su Shi (Song)Su Shi (Song)

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Dong Qichang

(Ming)

Dong Qichang

(Ming)

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Zheng Banqiao

(Qing)

Zheng Banqiao

(Qing)

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Yin Bingshou (Qing)Yin Bingshou (Qing)

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Xu Wei (Ming)Xu Wei (Ming)

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Prerequisites Prerequisites of a Serious Studentof a Serious Student

• Be conversant in the classics

• Be familiar with China’s rich poetic tradition

• Appropriate mental preparation and discipline

• Mastery of various calligraphic skills

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The Approach to The Approach to Fine CalligraphyFine Calligraphy

• Copy by tracing• Copy in a free manner• Imitation• Develop spontaneously one’s

own style, independent from all models.

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The Approach to The Approach to Fine CalligraphyFine Calligraphy

Proficiency is attainable only to those who undergo

rigid, rigorous, tedious, and long training, including

self discipline and moral cultivation.

The Practice of The Practice of Chinese CalligraphyChinese Calligraphy

Is a rigorous form of self-discipline and a

delightful and fulfilling experience!

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Chinese CalligraphyChinese Calligraphy

• More than any other visual art, can reveal the Chinese mind and represent its aesthetic ideal

• The sublime and exquisite artistry displayed in Chinese calligraphy compels one to study and experience

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Take Advantage of Take Advantage of the Latest Computer Technologiesthe Latest Computer Technologies

• Search the internet for relevant information and vast number of fine calligraphic specimen

• Use software (such as CyberChinese, Dabbler) to practice handwriting

• Fully exploit the availability of various fonts for copying and practice tailored for learner’s interest

• Explore multimedia capabilities for poem recitation and individualized instruction

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Semester-end ExhibitionSemester-end Exhibition

• It provides a powerful incentive• It sets immediate goals for class• It cultivates a sense of dignity and pride• It offers an opportunity for competition

and emulation• It impresses learner’s family and

acquaintances• It affords an excuse for class celebration• It creates an unforgetable educational

experience

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Most Paramount of All…Most Paramount of All…

To display one’s internal motive

rather than adherence to an external

predetermined form

Keep in Touch

[email protected]

www.csulb.edu/~sanpaoli

Thank You!

Your comments

are most welcome!

Chinese Calligraphy A Microcosm of Culture, An Art Form par excellence San-pao Li, Ph.D. Department...

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