Water calligraphy: A living aesthetics in China’s south-western cities
Mirra, Federica (2024) Water calligraphy: A living aesthetics in China’s south-western cities. Journal of Contemporary Chinese Art, 11 (1). pp. 51-74. ISSN 2051-7041
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Abstract
This article examines the popular practice of water calligraphy (dishu) across Changsha, Guiyang and Chongqing to demonstrate its aesthetic potential. Specifically, it suggests that dishu can be interpreted as a new expression of calligraphy and an exemplary case of living aesthetics. To demonstrate this, this article discusses the author’s on-site observations and conversations with water calligraphers alongside the longstanding aesthetic principles of traditional calligraphy and the experimental works by Wang Dongling (b. 1945) and Song Dong (b. 1966). Moreover, by adopting a socio-geographical and historical lens, it views water calligraphy as a living, familiar and slow practice against China’s spectacular and fast urban rhythms. Overall, this article demonstrates that water calligraphy can contribute to the discourse of living aesthetics by favouring sensual encounters within the familiar, collective and slow-paced everyday. Last, this article can contribute to shaping a new aesthetic paradigm that favours the living in a non-western context.
Item Type: | Article |
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Identification Number: | 10.1386/jcca_00094_1 |
Dates: | Date Event 18 March 2024 Accepted 27 June 2024 Published Online |
Uncontrolled Keywords: | Changsha, Chongqing, dishu, everyday aesthetics, Guiyang, twenty-first-century China, urban space, visual arts |
Subjects: | CAH25 - design, and creative and performing arts > CAH25-01 - creative arts and design > CAH25-01-02 - art |
Divisions: | Faculty of Arts, Design and Media > College of Art and Design |
Depositing User: | Gemma Tonks |
Date Deposited: | 19 Aug 2024 15:06 |
Last Modified: | 19 Aug 2024 15:06 |
URI: | https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/15739 |
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