Negotiating with the Past: The Art of Calligraphy in Post-Mao China

• Main Author: Li-hua Ying
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Open Library of Humanities 2012-05-01
• Series: The ASIANetwork Exchange: A Journal for Asian Studies in the Liberal Arts
• Subjects: writing; art; calligraphy; language
• Online Access: http://www.asianetworkexchange.org/articles/27

Chinese Calligraphy, an integrated form that combines language, art, philosophy, and poetry, was considered the highest art in traditional China. Although no longer used for daily communication, calligraphy manages to sustain its presence in Chinese cultural life even in the computer age.  The classical forms that were canonized nearly two millenniums ago continue to command a large following while new styles and new practices have emerged in response to social, cultural and artistic influences. This paper looks at present trends in calligraphy and calligraphy-inspired practices against the backdrop of tradtions. It is apparent that even within the most radical changes that have taken place, whether in the way calligraphy is practiced or evaluated, there are strong indications that the fundamental aesthetic principles passed down from the past are still very much alive today, showing the resilience of this ancient art. <div> <hr size="1" /><div>  </div></div>