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Web Explorations
•http://www.•asiansource.org•sinologic.com•chinapage.com•i.am/learningchinese
Chinese LanguageThe Oldest Living Language and
The Latest Computer Technologies
San-pao Li, Ph.D.Department of Asian and Asian American Studies
California State University, Long Beach
April 3, 2003
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An Aesthetic View of Chinese Language
• The Notion of Aesthetics• Musicality and Melodiocity• Structural Simplicity• Rhythmic Vitality
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What is Aesthetics?
Aesthetics is a branch of philosophical inquiry
concerned with the understanding of beauty.
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The Notion of Aesthetics
Alexander Baumgarten, Aesthetics (1750)
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
Plato, SymposiumA. H. Muller (1779-1829)
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The 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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The Notion of Aesthetics
Coincidentia Oppositorum Reconciliation of the
Opposites
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The Notion of Aesthetics
BeautyBeauty
GoodnessGoodness
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Musicality & Melodiocity
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Musicality & Melodiocity
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Structural Simplicity
Subject + Verb + ObjectSubject + Adjective
Noun = Noun
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Rhythmic Vitality
Found in the aesthetics of Chinese calligraphy
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Systematic Exposure to Various Styles:A Sense of History
• The Oracle Bone style • The Bronze and Stone Drum
Inscriptions • The Seal style• The Clerical style• The Running style• Cursive style• Other styles
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Sample Calligraphy
Oracle BoneOracle Bone
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Sample Calligraphy
Dong ZuobinDong Zuobin
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Sample Calligraphy
Sanshipan (8th-Century B.C.Sanshipan (8th-Century B.C.
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Sample Calligraphy
Wu ChangshuoWu Changshuo
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Sample Calligraphy
Yishan Bei
(Qin)
Yishan Bei
(Qin)
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Sample Calligraphy
Lu She (Ming)Lu She (Ming)
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Sample Calligraphy
Zhao Mengfu (Yuan)Zhao Mengfu (Yuan)
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Sample Calligraphy
Zhao Yong (Yuan)
Zhao Yong (Yuan)
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Sample Calligraphy
Caoquanbei
(Han)
Caoquanbei
(Han)
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Sample Calligraphy
Jin Shi (Ming)Jin Shi (Ming)
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Sample Calligraphy
Wang Shimin (Ming)
Wang Shimin (Ming)
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Sample Calligraphy
Yu Yue (Qing)Yu Yue (Qing)
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Sample Calligraphy
Wang Xizhi (Jin)Wang Xizhi (Jin)
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Sample Calligraphy
Wang Xizhi
(Jin)
Wang Xizhi
(Jin)
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Sample Calligraphy
Liu Gongquan
(Tang)
Liu Gongquan
(Tang)
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Sample Calligraphy
Zhang Xu (Tang)Zhang Xu (Tang)
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Sample Calligraphy
Xuanzong (Tang)Xuanzong (Tang)
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Sample Calligraphy
Huai Su (Tang)Huai Su (Tang)
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Sample Calligraphy
Yan Zhenqing
(Tang)
Yan Zhenqing
(Tang)
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Sample Calligraphy
Emperor Huizong (Song)Emperor Huizong (Song)
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Sample Calligraphy
Mi Fei (Song)Mi Fei (Song)
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Sample Calligraphy
Huang Tingjian (Song)Huang Tingjian (Song)
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Sample Calligraphy
Huang Tingjian (Song)
Huang Tingjian (Song)
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Sample Calligraphy
Huang Tingjian (Song)Huang Tingjian (Song)
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Sample Calligraphy
Huai Su
(Tang)
Huai Su
(Tang)
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Sample Calligraphy
Wu Ju (Song)
Wu Ju (Song)
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Sample Calligraphy
Su Shi (Song)Su Shi (Song)
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Sample Calligraphy
Liu Gongquan
(Song)
Liu Gongquan
(Song)
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Sample Calligraphy
Zhao Mengfu (Yuan)Zhao Mengfu (Yuan)
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Sample Calligraphy
Dong Qichang
(Ming)
Dong Qichang
(Ming)
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Sample Calligraphy
Dong Qichang
(Ming)
Dong Qichang
(Ming)
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Sample Calligraphy
Zheng Banqiao
(Qing)
Zheng Banqiao
(Qing)
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Sample Calligraphy
Zheng Banqiao
Zheng Banqiao
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Sample Calligraphy
Yin Bingshou (Qing)Yin Bingshou (Qing)
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Sample Calligraphy
Qi BaishiQi Baishi
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Sample Calligraphy
San-pao Li:San-pao Li:
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Sample Calligraphy
San-pao LiSan-pao Li
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Sample Calligraphy
San-pao
Li
San-pao
Li
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Sample Calligraphy
San-pao LiSan-pao Li
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Sample Calligraphy
San-pao LiSan-pao Li
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Sample Calligraphy
San-pao LiSan-pao Li
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Sample Calligraphy
San-pao LiSan-pao Li
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Sample Calligraphy
San-pao LiSan-pao Li
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Sample Calligraphy
Xu Wei (Ming)Xu Wei (Ming)
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Sample Calligraphy
Zheng Banqiao (Qing)
Zheng Banqiao (Qing)
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Sample Calligraphy
Jin Nong (Qing)Jin Nong (Qing)
The topic conjures up...
The powerful image of a zen master,
with a single candle in his hand,
sits in the middle of a room surrounded by 1,000 reflecting mirrors in complete
tranquility.
The true spirit of this master is...
Transmitted spontaneously
and
magnified infinitely
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Chinese 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 all to study and experience it.
The Practice of Chinese Calligraphy
Is a rigorous form of self-discipline
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Most Paramount of All
To display one’s internal motive
rather than
adherence to an external predetermined form
Thank You
Your comments and suggestions
are greatly appreciated.