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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.