Unit 1 The art of calligraphy

1、Unit 1 The art of calligraphylCalligraphy literally means “good writing”. However, Chinese calligraphy cannot be defined as just “writing” Chinese characters. Neither can it be described as a way of making Chinese characters look “more beautiful”. These are misassumptions often made. The most import

2、ant aspect of it is, that it is an emotional form of art, as it carries the thoughts and feelings of the artist. Calligraphy has been an important feature of the Chinese culture for the past 4000 years. lChinese calligraphy is an Oriental art. But what makes it an art? It is very much like painting.

3、 It uses Chinese characters to communicate the spiritual world of the artist. Just as one thousand persons will have as many faces, one thousand persons will have as many differences in handwriting. Through the medium of form, way of handling the brush, presentation, and style, calligraphy as a work

4、 of art conveys the moral integrity, character, emotions, esthetic feelings and culture of the artist to readers. How to write Chinese characters lStrokes are traditionally classified into eight basic forms, each appearing in the character eternally and listed below Though somewhat arbitrary, this s

5、ystem has remained popular for nearly two millenia. l1. Dian - A simple dot. 2. Heng - Horizontal stroke, left to right. l3. Shu - Vertical stroke, top to bottom. 4. Gou - Hook appended to other strokes. l5. Ti Press and lift upwardl 6. Pie - Diagonal to left. l7. Duan Pie - Short diagonal stroke, f

6、alling from right to left. 8. Na diagonal to the right lThese basic strokes are sometimes combined without the pen leaving the paper. In the above example of eternally, strokes 2-3-4 are written as one continuous stroke, as are strokes 5-6. Hence in dictionaries this character is indexed as having f

7、ive separate strokes lhttp:/ Chinese calligraphy)lhttp:/ what aspects to appreciate Chinese calligraphy?lWhat are the four major types of Chinese calligraphy?lWhat are the four treasures of scholars studio?lHow to become a calligrapher?Words and expressionslgenre n. 类型, 流派 lcalligraphy n. 书法 lpoliti

8、cal implications 政治含义 lorthodox adj. 正统的, 传统的, 习惯的, 保守的 lunorthodox adj. 非正统的, 异教的, 异端的 lintertwine v. (使)纠缠, (使)缠绕 lsimplified characters 简体字 lplay a key role 起关键作用 lTo some extent 在某种程度上 lrise and fall 兴衰 lImperial Civil Service examinations 科举考试 lkeep fit 保持健康 Answer these questions:l1. What did

9、emperor Qing Shihuang do?l2. Why did calligraphy become popular in the past?l3. Why do people like calligraphy now?lTranslate these sentences into Chinese:lDifferent genres of Chinese calligraphy have different political implications.lHistorically, Chinese calligraphy and politics were closely inter

10、twined.lThe new, simplified characters made writing calligraphy less complicated.lOver time, other variations were also developed.lEmperor Qian Long played a key role im compiling a collection of calligraphy.lMany people practice calligraphy as a way to keep fit.Complete this paragraph with suitable

11、 words:lHistorically, Chinese calligraphy and politics were -2,000 years ago, Emperor Qin Shihuang, the- in Chinese history, established the -Chinese writing characters. The new, - made writing calligraphy less complicated. It -people to use characters with more straight strokes, thus making it easi

12、er to write -brushes. This created the Li genre. E-ClAs the art of writing Chinese characters, Chinese calligraphy, boasts a long history. It is one of the highest forms of Chinese art, serving the purpose of conveying thoughts while also showcasing abstract beauty of lines. Calligraphy is one of th

13、e four basic skills and disciplines of the Chinese literati, together with painting (hua), stringed musical instruments (qin) and board games (qi). However, rhythm, lines, and structure are more perfectly embodied in calligraphy than in the other three skills. C-El中国书法是东方艺术。正如筷子的使用一样，书法曾经只属于中国人。然而随着

14、中国文化向韩国，日本，新加坡的传播，书法逐渐成为东方艺术的典型特征。l书法甚至被西方广泛接受。正如毕加索曾经说过：“如果我出生在中国，我将可能成为书法家，而非画家。”很多书法元素正在被现代西方艺术采用。C-ElChinese calligraphy is an Oriental art. Like the use of chopsticks, calligraphy was once entirely Chinese, but as Chinese culture spread to Korea, Japan, and Singapore, calligraphy became a uniqu

15、e feature of Oriental art. lCalligraphy is even wildly accepted by the West; as once Picasso said, Had I been born Chinese, I would have been a calligrapher, not a painter. Many calligraphic elements are being adopted by modern Western art.AssignmentlThe paper, ink, brush, and inkstone are essential

16、 implements of East Asian calligraphy: they are known together as the Four Treasures of the Study (文房四宝) in China, and as the Four Friends of the Study (文房四友).if you are required to introduce them to your foreigner friends ,how will you introduce them?Questions for reading materiall1.Chinese calligr

17、aphy distinguish it from other calligraphic arts in_and_l2.What are the three elements in Chinese calligraphy?l3. What are the functions of a calligraphic work?l4. What are the different features of some outstanding calligraphers in Chinese history?l5. How are Chinese calligraphy developed?l6。What i

18、nfluence has philosophy exerted on Chinese calligraphy?Translate the following paragraph into Englishl宣纸最初是唐代时产自安徽省的宣州。宣纸的质地紧密，具有韧性，可以防虫(moth)咬。此外，在这样质地的纸上书写，笔划轻重缓急皆可。由于有这么多的长处，宣纸取代了曾经常用作绘画材料的丝绸。丝绸的吸附力低，但是它更适合于细致的线描和重彩。lXuan paper was originally produced in Xuanzhou in Anhui Province in the Tang Dynasty. Xuan paper has a close texture, making it pliable yet tough, and resistant to moth damage. In addition, this kind can be ac