Chinese Traditional Art
China's traditional arts command a great part of the country's rich heritage. Since ancient time, Chinese society has cherished excellence in its arts. Over centuries, Chinese arts have developed its own unique styles and forms. Singing, sculpture, calligraphy, painting, carving and others are the timeworn forms of expression in Chinese arts.
2008-07-09
2008-07-07
Chinese Papercuts
Chinese Papercuts
Papercut is an art form originally created in China. Around the first century A.D., the Chinese invented that most flexible, versatile and adaptable of materials -- paper. The first papercut can be traced date back to the period known as the Northern and Southern Dynasties (A.D. 386-581). In the T'ang Dynasty (A.D. 618-906) papercuts are the subject of a poem by the poet Ts'ui Tao-yung and from other sources of this period they are described as being used to decorate plants and worn by ladies in their hair in form of butterflies and flowers. Here are some sample of Chinese Papercuts.
Papercut is an art form originally created in China. Around the first century A.D., the Chinese invented that most flexible, versatile and adaptable of materials -- paper. The first papercut can be traced date back to the period known as the Northern and Southern Dynasties (A.D. 386-581). In the T'ang Dynasty (A.D. 618-906) papercuts are the subject of a poem by the poet Ts'ui Tao-yung and from other sources of this period they are described as being used to decorate plants and worn by ladies in their hair in form of butterflies and flowers. Here are some sample of Chinese Papercuts.
2008-07-06
Feel China: A Tour to Central Europe
Source: CCTV.com
07-06-2008 10:36
The large-scale cultural exchange program "Feel China: A Tour to Central Europe", that opened in the Czech Republic last week, moved to Slovakia on Thursday. The opening performance was presented to glamorously dressed guests at the stately National Theatre in Bratislava, the capital city of the Slovak Republic.
An audience of eight hundred, including local celebrities and diplomats, turned up for "My Dream", by the China Disabled People's Art Troupe.
These handicapped actors kept the audience captivated with perfectly synchronized movements in an expression of artistry. They also performed the "Thousand-armed Goddess of Mercy" dance, and the reinterpretation of the classic love story "Butterflies."
The audience showed their enthusiasm as the artists chorused two Slovakian folk songs.
Jozef Lang, State Secretary of Slovak Ministry of Culture said "For people in Slovakia, this cultural exchange event is rather appealing. They are glad to see the best performing art from China, through which they get a better understanding of Asian culture."
At the end of the performance, the artists were greeted with thunderous applause.
Michal Kovac, the former President of the Slovak Republic, attended the show with his wife.
Michael Kovac, Former President of Slovak Republic said "I was deeply touched by these handicapped artists. They and their performance show tenacious spirit, respect and harmony rooted in Chinese tradition and culture. "
The exchange campaign "Feel China: A Tour to Central Europe" is organized by the State Council Information Office. The local media has praised the event.
Editor:Xiong Qu
07-06-2008 10:36
The large-scale cultural exchange program "Feel China: A Tour to Central Europe", that opened in the Czech Republic last week, moved to Slovakia on Thursday. The opening performance was presented to glamorously dressed guests at the stately National Theatre in Bratislava, the capital city of the Slovak Republic.
An audience of eight hundred, including local celebrities and diplomats, turned up for "My Dream", by the China Disabled People's Art Troupe.
These handicapped actors kept the audience captivated with perfectly synchronized movements in an expression of artistry. They also performed the "Thousand-armed Goddess of Mercy" dance, and the reinterpretation of the classic love story "Butterflies."
The audience showed their enthusiasm as the artists chorused two Slovakian folk songs.
Jozef Lang, State Secretary of Slovak Ministry of Culture said "For people in Slovakia, this cultural exchange event is rather appealing. They are glad to see the best performing art from China, through which they get a better understanding of Asian culture."
At the end of the performance, the artists were greeted with thunderous applause.
Michal Kovac, the former President of the Slovak Republic, attended the show with his wife.
Michael Kovac, Former President of Slovak Republic said "I was deeply touched by these handicapped artists. They and their performance show tenacious spirit, respect and harmony rooted in Chinese tradition and culture. "
The exchange campaign "Feel China: A Tour to Central Europe" is organized by the State Council Information Office. The local media has praised the event.
Editor:Xiong Qu
2008-07-02
Chinese Arts - Handicrafts Wooden Objects
This oldest example of wooden art seems to be the modernest one. It is an ape, unearthed from a Warring States period 戰國 tomb. Although the monkey seems to eat something that he holds with his hand, he looks like a philosophing man.
Chinese artists like to integrate the natural shape of things into the art objects. Using this concept, this Ming time 明 brush container looks very crude and clumsy, but the cut out pine tree and crane give it also an interesting surface. The artist has cut in his name: Zhu He 朱鶴, called Songlin 松鄰 "Pine neighbor".
Also a very natural shape has his cow with her calf. As a contrast to the very light wood, the base is made of an almost black material.
The peach is the symbol of longevity in China (don't ask, why) and occurs very often in Chinese art. Made of wood, the surface of this peach is decorated with small peaches. For objects like this, the dark wooden base is especially made and adjusted at the main object.
Although it seems to be made of a couple of bamboo canes, cut some 12 cms above the earth, this brush container is made of wood. The artist has given it the shape of a handful of curved bamboos. The object is very detailed, showing even smallest leaves and every nodium of the bamboo.
Decorated with a historic scene, the upper rime part of this brush container made of light wood is added with a ring of dark wood. It was made by Wu Zhifan 吳之璠 at the beginning of the Qing Dynasty 清 and is standing on a dark wooded base, a good counterpart to the upper ring.
This is a cosmetic box with many drawers containing everything a woman could need. Opening the two doors, a mirror can be put on the top of the box.
Made of five storable layers, this container with a handle can be transported around. Inside the flower-shaped layers, one finds small metal cups for drinking wine.
Here another example of a closet shaped cosmetic box from the Qing Dynasty.
Bats are a very common motif in Chinese art because the Chinese word for "bat" fu 蝠 sounds equal to the word for "luck" fu 福. But the shape of the Chinese art bats is very similar to a flower or some leaves and cannot be recognized at the first glance. This bats are cut into the back of a chair.
Crowned by a lotus flower, this three storied pagoda is made of wood. It is made during the Republican era. The different stories and the flower are painted.
The artist that made this peach kernel motifs must have had a calm hand and a good eye to form a Guanyin 觀音 Boddhisattva (see Buddhism) into such a small object.
Mongolian art uses great amounts of silver to decorate cups, spoons, music instruments and weapons. This picture shows three silver covered bowls of root wood.
Communist art (see People's Republic) does not stop at traditional materials in China, like this female soldier holding her gun.
A round fan made of woven reed grass with a wooden handle.
Chinese artists like to integrate the natural shape of things into the art objects. Using this concept, this Ming time 明 brush container looks very crude and clumsy, but the cut out pine tree and crane give it also an interesting surface. The artist has cut in his name: Zhu He 朱鶴, called Songlin 松鄰 "Pine neighbor".
Also a very natural shape has his cow with her calf. As a contrast to the very light wood, the base is made of an almost black material.
The peach is the symbol of longevity in China (don't ask, why) and occurs very often in Chinese art. Made of wood, the surface of this peach is decorated with small peaches. For objects like this, the dark wooden base is especially made and adjusted at the main object.
Although it seems to be made of a couple of bamboo canes, cut some 12 cms above the earth, this brush container is made of wood. The artist has given it the shape of a handful of curved bamboos. The object is very detailed, showing even smallest leaves and every nodium of the bamboo.
Decorated with a historic scene, the upper rime part of this brush container made of light wood is added with a ring of dark wood. It was made by Wu Zhifan 吳之璠 at the beginning of the Qing Dynasty 清 and is standing on a dark wooded base, a good counterpart to the upper ring.
This is a cosmetic box with many drawers containing everything a woman could need. Opening the two doors, a mirror can be put on the top of the box.
Made of five storable layers, this container with a handle can be transported around. Inside the flower-shaped layers, one finds small metal cups for drinking wine.
Here another example of a closet shaped cosmetic box from the Qing Dynasty.
Bats are a very common motif in Chinese art because the Chinese word for "bat" fu 蝠 sounds equal to the word for "luck" fu 福. But the shape of the Chinese art bats is very similar to a flower or some leaves and cannot be recognized at the first glance. This bats are cut into the back of a chair.
Crowned by a lotus flower, this three storied pagoda is made of wood. It is made during the Republican era. The different stories and the flower are painted.
The artist that made this peach kernel motifs must have had a calm hand and a good eye to form a Guanyin 觀音 Boddhisattva (see Buddhism) into such a small object.
Mongolian art uses great amounts of silver to decorate cups, spoons, music instruments and weapons. This picture shows three silver covered bowls of root wood.
Communist art (see People's Republic) does not stop at traditional materials in China, like this female soldier holding her gun.
A round fan made of woven reed grass with a wooden handle.
2008-07-01
Chinese literature
Main article: Chinese literature
The extensive collection of books that have been preserved since the Zhou Dynasty demonstrate just how advanced the intellectuals were at one time. Indeed, the era of the Zhou Dynasty is often looked to as the touchstone of Chinese cultural development. The Five Cardinal Points are the foundation for almost all major studies. Concepts covered within the Chinese classic texts present a wide range of subjects including poetry, astrology, astronomy, calendar, constellations and many others. Some of the most important early texts include I Ching and Shujing within the Four Books and Five Classics. Many Chinese concepts such as Yin and Yang, Qi, Four Pillars of Destiny in relation to heaven and earth were all theorized in the dynastic periods.
Notable confucianists, taoists and scholars of all class have made significant contributions from documenting history to authoring saintly concepts that seem hundred of years ahead of time. Many novels such as Four Great Classical Novels spawned countless fictional stories. By the end of the Qing Dynasty, Chinese culture would embark on a new era with Vernacular Chinese for the common citizens. Hu Shih and Lu Xun would be pioneers in modern literature.
The extensive collection of books that have been preserved since the Zhou Dynasty demonstrate just how advanced the intellectuals were at one time. Indeed, the era of the Zhou Dynasty is often looked to as the touchstone of Chinese cultural development. The Five Cardinal Points are the foundation for almost all major studies. Concepts covered within the Chinese classic texts present a wide range of subjects including poetry, astrology, astronomy, calendar, constellations and many others. Some of the most important early texts include I Ching and Shujing within the Four Books and Five Classics. Many Chinese concepts such as Yin and Yang, Qi, Four Pillars of Destiny in relation to heaven and earth were all theorized in the dynastic periods.
Notable confucianists, taoists and scholars of all class have made significant contributions from documenting history to authoring saintly concepts that seem hundred of years ahead of time. Many novels such as Four Great Classical Novels spawned countless fictional stories. By the end of the Qing Dynasty, Chinese culture would embark on a new era with Vernacular Chinese for the common citizens. Hu Shih and Lu Xun would be pioneers in modern literature.
2008-06-30
Dragon Art History
One culture in which dragons and dragon art are prevalent is the Chinese culture, and mythology. The exact origins of Chinese dragons and dragon art is unknown but it is likely that it dates before any written history we have today. Examples of Chinese dragon art include the Wine Jar, from the Ming Dynasty (16th century), a Vase from the Chia Cing reign (16th century), a gilded bronze dragon from the Tang Dynasty (600 AD), the Royal Dragon Robes of Emperors, Tang Dynasty (7th century), and the Jade Coiled Dragon from the Hongshan Culture – 4700 – 2920 B.C. To the Chinese, the dragon symbolizes power, ambition, heroism, divinity, success, optimism and nobility. For this reason the Chinese have embraced dragon art for thousands of years. Western dragons are associated with negative qualities like evil, aggression, temper, murder and so on. Eastern dragons are beautiful, wise, and kind; they are worshipped and even have shrines devoted to them.Dragon fantasy art is very popular because if the mystical attributes of dragons. Did they exist? What were they like? What did they look like? These are all questions that the artist’s imagination can answer on paintings, drawings, illustrations and sketches. Dragon fantasy art accompanied by female warriors or ancient heroes is also an attractive theme for artists as they can create a fantastical legend on canvas. Free dragon clip art can be found all over the internet - just go online and search for the type of clipart you want. Chinese dragon clip art, and Chinese dragon pictures are some of the most popular clip art themes on the internet. Japanese dragon art is also popular but not nearly as potent as interest in Chinese dragons.
2008-06-29
Early Periods
Neolithic cultures produced many artifacts such as painted pottery, bone tools and ornaments, and jade carvings of a sophisticated design. Excavations at B'ei-li-kang near Luo-yang date materials found at that site to 6000–5000 B.C. An excavation in the early 1970s of the royal tomb of Shih-huang Ti revealed an array of funerary terra-cotta images. In Henan, the village of Yang-shao gave its name to a culture that flourished from 5000 to 3000 B.C. Ban-p'o pottery wares were handmade and the area produced a polished red ware that was painted in black with designs of swirling spirals and geometric designs, sometimes with human faces. Later, at Ma-jia-yao in Gansu, brush-painted pottery became more sophisticated in the handling of the design. Knowledge of ancient Chinese art is limited largely to works in pottery, bronze, bone, and jade.
Neolithic cultures produced many artifacts such as painted pottery, bone tools and ornaments, and jade carvings of a sophisticated design. Excavations at B'ei-li-kang near Luo-yang date materials found at that site to 6000–5000 B.C. An excavation in the early 1970s of the royal tomb of Shih-huang Ti revealed an array of funerary terra-cotta images. In Henan, the village of Yang-shao gave its name to a culture that flourished from 5000 to 3000 B.C. Ban-p'o pottery wares were handmade and the area produced a polished red ware that was painted in black with designs of swirling spirals and geometric designs, sometimes with human faces. Later, at Ma-jia-yao in Gansu, brush-painted pottery became more sophisticated in the handling of the design. Knowledge of ancient Chinese art is limited largely to works in pottery, bronze, bone, and jade.
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