Peking University, Nov. 6, 2011: On the afternoon of November 4, the Panel Session of Beijing Forum titled “Artistic Heritage and Cultural Innovation” was held in BaFang Garden, Diaoyutai State Guest House. The theme of this panel session involved a profound discussion about the right attitude towards cultural and artistic heritage, as well as a composed reflection on the tie and conflict between tradition and modernity. While speakers viewed from different perspectives and each with a particular focus, they all faced towards a future where the energy of tradition and modernity can be interfused harmoniously and promote human civilization all together.
Dozens of art scholars congregate in BaFang Garden.
Speakers of this Art Session included Ye Lang, famous scholar in aesthetics, professor of Philosophy Department, Peking University (PKU); Ding Ning, professor and vice dean of PKU School of Arts, secretary-general of the Chinese Artists Association of Committee; Liao Ben, famous scholar and vice chairman of China Federation of Literary and Art Circles; and Michal Nolin, famous American director.
Ye Lang began the first section with a documentary video of Chinese entries titled Pervasion in the Venice Art Biennial. Pervasion was characteristic in its focus on the sense of smell, and thus introduced the topic of Ye Lang - the aesthetics of fragrance and a further thought on cultural and artistic innovation provoked by this artistic work. According to Ye Lang, the culture of fragrance was once rich and long-established in Chinese tradition, but was to a large extent neglected in modern China. Within this tradition is the conception of bringing aesthetics to daily life. In a later discussion, Professor Ye further argued that aesthetics of fragrance could be an inspiring stance for modern artistic innovation, and that Pervasion exactly illustrated the possible harmony between tradition and modernity.
Prof. Ye Lang delivers his speech.
Unlike Ye Lang, the next speaker, Michal Nolin, presented a critical thinking on the examination of traditional values. In his view, the clash between tradition and modernity could be fairly complex, and both individuals and cultural communities would inevitably face an identity crisis in their attempt to solve this conflict. According to Michal Nolin, American Exceptionalism, “a unique American ideology” that distinguished American people from the world’s other social groups, was a long-standing myth that influenced the values of American people profoundly, “Living in a modern society, we should first examine the traditional views that shaped our ideas of who we are and who we can be.”
Director Nolin analyzes traditional values.
It is intriguing for the audience to see that Chinese scholars seemed to be more deeply attached to cultural tradition, while Michal Nolin called for a critical examination of the traditional values. This difference became more conspicuous when Liao Ben came to deliver his speech.
As vice chairman of China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, Liao Ben cut the image of protector of Chinese cultural and artistic heritage. In his speech titled “Cultural Extension and Innovation of Traditional Countries”, Liao reflected the historical lesson of abandoning traditions and hurrying for reforms in China. The result was that “today in Beijing, compared with the picture 100 years ago, there is nothing that is not western”, as one foreign audience pointed out in later discussion. According to Liao Ben, cultural diversity was essential for modern society, because cultural heritage is the inspiration and source for modern culture, especially for developing countries. “No civilization is rootless. Every outburst of cultural phenomena has its origin in traditional energy,” stated Liao. Compared to countries like Korea and Japan, as he commented in a later interview, the current force for Chinese cultural innovation was weak, “it is a pity that our cultural innovation does not match with such abundant cultural resources and strong national power nowadays.”
Liao Ben calls for more attention to Chinese traditions of art.
For Liao Ben, the most effective approach to promote modern culture is to gain inspiration and energy from traditions. He suggested that Chinese should carefully weigh the protection of cultural treasures against the speed of modernization.
A journalist from PKU News Center raises a question for more details of Liao’s theory.
Then another four speakers, after the coffee break, gave us several brilliant lectures focusing on different subjects and different cultures.
Professor Margaret Livingstone from Harvard University delivered us a lecture topic on “What Art can Tell Us about the Brain”, which analyzed the techniques the artists used in the aspect of science. Actually, the great artists are all the great psychologists who can use colors to show the moving status of a figure or use people’s different focus points to express different effects. The professor took the famous painting - Mona Lisa as an example, “When you stare at the middle spot between Mona Lisa’s eyes, you will find a wider smile than looking at her mouth. That might be one of the reasons why so many people love Mona Lisa.”
Prof. Livingstone uses vivid body language to expound her idea.
PKU Professor Ding Ning gave us a lecture on “The Peak Realm of Techniques, Humanizing Aspect of Technique Theory in Ancient Chinese Painting Treatises and Its Contemporary Significance.” Professor Ding thought there should be two techniques in Chinese ancient paintings - first, present the painting with one’s own life experience; and the second is to combine a wide horizon with one’s spirit. There are such feelings not only in the paintings, but in the Chinese calligraphy and poems as well. As an old Chinese saying goes, the best artists have no special techniques in their work, which means their best way to present themselves is to present their deep understanding of their lives.
“Heritage and Reconstruction: Value Transformation of Traditional Chinese Fine Arts under the Chasing for Modernism” was the topic of Professor Huang Zongxian from Sichuan University, and it was partly based on the history of China. On May 4, 1915, The New Culture Movement took place, followed by a series of discussions and arguments about Chinese culture. Professor Huang thought, on one hand, the main leaders of the movement like Lu Xun or Hu Shi, seriously held back the traditions like the “blind marriage”, which means the couple’s marriage was totally managed by their parents. On the other hand, they strongly support the art and culture from Tang or Song Dynasty, like the beautiful paintings and poems. This clue has been one of the main trends in other culture revolutions all along Chinese history.
Next came to Professor Arja Karivieri from Sweden. Her report was based on the history of Greeks and Romans, named “Greeks and Romans and Creation of Contacts from the Mediterranean to China - Artistic Heritage of the Ancient World”.
The panel session on “Artistic Heritage and Cultural Innovation” has drawn widely attention in many areas. Scholars and students raised many questions and reached widely agreements about China, as well as those about the world. As the fast growth of Chinese economy, the movements of Chinese culture will affect the whole world. As one of the oldest countries in the world, it has left many valuable works and contributed to the world culture. Where Chinese culture would go in the future is still to be expected.
Reported by: Yan Binghan and Feng Jiayang
Edited by: Arthars
