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
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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