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Brushes with Surprise: The Art of Calligraphy in Modern China
Fathom
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| Seminar Introduction |
![[bookcover]](bookcover.jpg) | | The British Museum | |
Calligraphy is a defining feature of China's culture. It is both a means of communication and a revered form of art, although the dividing line is often vague. This ambiguity has given it an important role in shaping the history of modern China since the creation of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Unlike in the West, there is no tradition of political oratory in China, so political influence is projected through the printed and written word.After the Revolution the traditional art of calligraphy was quickly transformed into an instrument of political power and protest, wielded on an unprecedented scale, while over the last two decades a new modern genre of the traditional art form has also emerged. Gordon Barrass, author of The Art of Calligraphy in Modern China, has been collaborating with The British Museum since 1993 to build a collection of modern Chinese calligraphy, and has interviewed many prominent calligraphers. In this seminar, he presents an integrated portrait of modern China, with artists' work set within the context of China's political and social changes. He provides short explanations of some of their most intriguing pieces.
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| Learning Objectives |
- Define the importance of calligraphy in traditional Chinese society.
- Define the grand tradition of classical calligraphy.
- Define the main trends in contemporary calligraphy: Modernism, Neo-Classical and Avant-Garde.
- Describe the role of calligraphy in contemporary society.
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| Sessions |
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| Credits |
Parts of this seminar have been drawn from The Art of Calligraphy in Modern China (British Museum Press, 2002). Copyright The British Museum.
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| Technical Requirements |
To appreciate this seminar experience, it is critical that you have the appropriate software, plug-ins, and network connections. Please take the time to download the latest versions of the plug-ins mentioned below if you do not already have them.
Browser: Netscape versions 4.x up to 4.76, or Internet Explorer versions 4.x or later. Your browser must be JavaScript-enabled and must be set to accept cookies.
Network Connection: The recommended minimum connection is 56Kbps with a throughput of 34Kbps or more. A faster connection is encouraged to take better advantage of the media elements in the seminar.
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