Calligraphy Essay

Besides the practicality of Chinese characters, they also show the artistic appeal. In the works on calligraphy, the character “Shu” can be used as a verb meaning “to write” and as a noun meaning “calligraphy”. They can be interchangeable because of the association between them. The present models for calligraphy used to be exchanges of correspondence or inscriptions on a tablet for recording feudal decrees and regulations or honorable deeds. The main purpose of these inscriptions were not for art appreciation but they achieved certain artistic effect. Calligraphy originally referred to the method and principles of writing characters but now it has changed into an art form evidenced by so many exhibitions about calligraphy. It has become one

As we all know, the introduction of a new concept to a certain subject always means the change in thinking mode and analysis. Many new concepts have been introduced to calligraphy such as space within words and out side words( space), twists and turns, “ping dong” and “bai dong” (ways of using the brush), Arc circle, Arc line( structure), etc. These concepts can not be found in traditional theory about calligraphy. The introduction of the new concepts indicates two problems. One is that the analytic tools used in today’s academic calligraphy teaching are refined. This is like the case with the carpenter who can only make a piece of simple furniture with just a plane and hammer. On the contrary, he can make more sophisticated furniture if he has various kinds of tools at hand. Another problem is that all the tools are used to analyze the form of calligraphy, which indicates that analysis of the form of calligraphy has become the synonym for calligraphy--- it is obvious that there is a tendency of emphasizing form in calligraphy

It has not only the features of oriental art, but also reveals the temperament and philosophy and morals of Chinese people, for it has been nurtured by its traditional culture of thousands of years. It has close relationship with other art forms in development. With the development of science and technology, Chinese language is used as widely as other languages. Although traditional writing has been replaced by printing, its artistic features are not lost. On the contrary, it becomes perfect. The calligraphy works can be represented exactly by the photoengraving, signatures on books, newspapers, magazines by famous calligraphers are more popular. It proves that the unique features of Chinese characters will not be deserted due to the increase of advanced technology. And this will be a good reason for the prosperity of calligraphy together with the rapid growth of printing