中国文化英语教程unit 15.ppt

,Lead-in,Text study,Exercises,Unit 15 Flying Strokes of Calligraphy,Lead-in,Can you tell the English name of the following calligraphy?,Standard Script(楷书),Running Script(行书),Cursive Script(草书),Introduction,Rhythm of Calligraphy,Wang Xizhi and Preface to the Lanting Pavilion Collection,“Hidden Style”of the Yan Script,Text study,Introduction,The English word“Calligraphy”is unable to cover all the connotations of the art of Chinese writing.Two factors contributed to the evolution of Chinese calligraphy:,the square-shaped pictographic characterswhose beautiful forms provided preliminary conditions for the art of calligraphy;2)the writing brushan important invention in the history of Chinese culture and the basis for calligraphy to germinate(形成)and develop.,Introduction,The brush is the traditional writing implement in Chinese calligraphy.The body of the brush can be made from eitherbamboo,or rarer materials such asred sandalwood,glass,ivory,silver,andgold.The head of the brush can be made from the hair(or feathers)of a wide variety of animals.,Additional Info,Introduction,Calligraphy brushes feel soft,supple(柔软的),and are elastic and highly ductile(韧性的),paving the way for the emergence of the art of calligraphy.,Rhythm of Calligraphy,Calligraphy is the art of lines,or strokes.A dancer can obtain great wisdom from calligraphy,while an ancient calligrapher can be inspired by dance.There is some common element that calligraphy and dance share,which is none other than their internal vital energy between the lines,the soul of calligraphy as well as the soul of dance.,Lin Huaimin(林怀民),a famous dancer from Chinas Taiwan Island and director of the Cloud Gate Dancing Troupe,once choreographed(设计舞蹈动作)a collective dance named“Running-Cursive Script(行草)”,which gained him worldwide fame.His inspirations came from Chinese calligraphy,and dancing enlivened the spirit of the art of writing.,Rhythm of Calligraphy,Example 1,Rhythm of Calligraphy,In the Tang Dynasty,the master calligrapher Zhang Xu(张旭)became absorbed running-cursive script but made little progress.One day,on the streets of the capital Changan,he saw a crowd of people gathering to enjoy a performance by Lady Gongsun(公孙大娘),a famous dancer of the time.She was performing a sword dance,her supple body and flying robe mixing with the movements of the sword up and down.Zhang Xu was enchanted(迷住),and it was through this performance that he discovered the genuine beauty of calligraphy and made rapid progress in his profession.,Rhythm of Calligraphy,Example 2,Rhythm of Calligraphy,Zhang Xuwas a Chinese calligrapherof theTang Dynasty.A native ofSuzhou,he became an official during the reign ofEmperor Xuanzong of Tang.Legend has it that whenever he was drunk,he would use his hair asbrushto perform his art,and upon his waking up,he would be amazed by the quality of those works but failed to produce them again in his sober state.,Rhythm of Calligraphy,Lady Gongsun,Rhythm of Calligraphy,Running-cursive script:,The one-stroke character in Chinese calligraphy refers to such an internal line of energy.A one-stroke character actually means a character written with strokes at one go,rather than implying only one single stroke.The strokes may not look connected on the exterior but are closely related in the interior.Without interior linkage,a character lacks vigor and vitality.,Rhythm of Calligraphy,One-stroke character,Rhythm of Calligraphy,Wang Xianzhi(王献之)was the seventh and youngest son of the famedWang Xizhi(王羲之).Wang inherited his fathers talent for the art.His style is more fluid than his fathers.Amongst his innovations is the one-strokecursive script,which blends all characters in the writing in a single stroke.Until theTang Dynastyhis influence and reputation rivaled and even surpassed that of his father.,The one-stroke character was first advocated by Wang Xianzhi(344-386).,Rhythm of Calligraphy,中秋帖 王献之Mid-Autumn by Wang Xianzhi,Rhythm of Calligraphy,鸭头丸帖 王献之 Yatou Wan by Wang Xianzhi,People set great value on Wang Xizhis calligraphic works.They liken his handwriting to a“frolicking(嬉戏的)dragon,vigorous,yet refined and elegant.His Preface to the Lanting Pavilion Collection,known as a gem(精品)of Chinese calligraphy,was the most representative of his style.,Wang Xizhi and Preface to the Lanting Pavilion Collection,As father and son,Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi have been known as the“two Wangs”.Their works universally recognized as the peak of Chinese calligraphy.,Wang Xizhiwas aChinesecalligraphertraditionally referred to as theSage of Calligraphy,who lived during theJin Dynasty(265420).He is considered by many to be one of the most esteemed Chinese calligraphers of all time,especially during and after theTang Dynasty,and a master of all forms of Chinese calligraphy,especially therunning script.,Wang Xizhi and Preface to the Lanting Pavilion Collection,兰亭集序王羲之 Preface to the Lanting Pavilion Collection by Wang Xizhi,Wang Xizhi and Preface to the Lanting Pavilion Collection,This calligraphic masterpiece has been widely extolled(赞美)by calligraphers throughout the ages,for its dynamic significance and extraordinary grace.However,all that remains extant(尚存)today are facsimiles(摹本)of the originalsaid to have been buried in the tomb of Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty,since he was so fond of it.Later generations were thus bereft(失去的)of the chance to enjoy the genuine work.However,peoples appreciation of it has nonetheless not been reduced.In fact,it has nurtured generations of calligraphers.,Preface to the Lanting Pavilion Collection,Wang Xizhi and Preface to the Lanting Pavilion Collection,Being hidden means the beginning and end of each stroke are smooth,without any trace of sharp and overpowering brushwork.,“Hidden Style”of the Yan Script,What does the“hidden style”mean?,The Chinese people emphasize reserve in conduct and in calligraphic works as well.Being hidden is a requirement that a calligrapher must always bear in mind.,“Hidden Style”of the Yan Script,What do people like“hidden style”?,Yan Zhenqing(709-785)was a Tang-dynasty master calligrapher,renowned for his Yan-style writing.A beginner always starts learning with Yan-style calligraphy.Inscription on the Tablet of the Yan Family Temple is a masterpiece created in Yan Zhenqings later years,which well reflects the characteristics of being hidden.This work displays a calligraphic momentum in a reserved way;and represents Yan Zhenqings highest achievement in calligraphy.,Yan Zhenqing,“Hidden Style”of the Yan Script,“Hidden Style”of the Yan Script,Exercises,Comprehension,Communication,Application,I.Skimming and Scanning Go through the passage quickly and answer the following questions briefly.,Comprehension,1)What can we infer about Chinese calligraphy from the first sentence in Paragraph l?From the first sentence in Paragraph 1,we can infer that Chinese calligraphy is a very important part of Chinese culture.2)What are the two factors that promoted Chinese calligraphy?The two factors that promoted Chinese calligraphy are the square-shaped pictographic characters and the writing brush.,3)What qualities do Chinese calligraphy and dance share according to Paragraph 3?Both Chinese calligraphy and dance involve movements which are swift,smooth and elegant,slow,gentle and enchanting.4)From what did Zhang Xu get the inspiration for his running-cursive script?Zhang Xu got the inspiration for his running-cursive script from a sword dance performance by Lady Gongsun.5)Who is the most famous calligrapher for one-stroke character?The most famous calligrapher for“one-stroke character”is Wang Xianzhi.,Comprehension,6)Why is ink pig in Paragraph 9 mentioned?Ink pig in Paragraph 9 is mentioned as a contrast to show the importance of vigorous lines and internal energy of Chinese calligraphy.7)What is the key point of Yan-style calligraphy?The key point of Yan-style calligraphy is being hidden,which means that the beginning and end of each stroke are smooth,without any trace of sharp and overpowering brushwork.,Comprehension,II.Careful Reading1.Read the passage carefully and choose the best answer to each of the following questions.,Comprehension,D,A,1)Which of the following can cover all the connotations of the art of writing?A.calligraphy.B.penmanship.C.handwriting.D.None of the above.2)How was Chinese calligraphy displayed by Lin Huaimin?A.By dance.B.By script.C.By music.D.By brush,3)What can we infer from the example of Zhang Xu?,Comprehension,D,He did nothing but practice his running-cursive script all day.He learnt calligraphy by copying other calligraphers of his time.He often watched sword dance to learn from it for his calligraphy.He made fast progress when he discovered the genuine beauty of calligraphy,4)How is the energy of one-stroke character achieved?A.By pressing the brush harder.B.By writing the character with only one stroke.C.By writing the strokes at one go.D.By connecting the strokes in the interior.5)Which of the following words can best summarize the characteristic of ink pig?A.Vigorous.B.Cumbersome.C.Heavy.D.Dense.,Comprehension,C,B,6)The three most valuable calligraphic works in the Three-Treasure Study include works by all the following calligraphers EXCEPT A.Wang Xizhi B.Wang Xianzhi C.Wang Xun D.Zhang Xu7)What can we learn about Wang Xizhis calligraphic works according to the passage?His handwriting looks like a dragon.His handwriting is heavy but vigorous.Preface to the Lanting Pavilion Collection is his first work.The original of Preface to the Lanting Pavilion Collection is missing,Comprehension,D,D,8)How did the criterion of being hidden in Yan style occur?It dawned upon Yan Zhenqing accidentally.Yan Zhenqing learnt it from former masters.Yan Zhenqing got the idea from Zhang Xu.It was passed down from Yans ancestors.,Comprehension,D,Comprehension,2.Put the following into English by referring to the passage.,鸭头丸帖兰亭集序快雪时晴帖中秋帖 伯远帖颜家庙碑,Yatou Wan,Preface to the Lanting Pavilion Collection,A Sunny Scene after a Quick Snow,Mid-Autumn,Boyuan,Inscription on the Tablet of the Yan Family Temple,The following is part of the conversation between Bill Gates and Larry King of CNN Future Talk.Read it and talk about your own opinion of whether the computer is hindering children from learning penmanship.With the popularization of the computer:is handwriting still necessary?,Communication,King:Do you worry your child wont learn penmanship because theres always a keyboard and a printer nearby?Gates:When I was in school,I always felt it was unfair that kids who happened to have L1ea bad handwriting were penalized at grade time.Obviously,everybody needs to learn basic writing skills.We want our kids to have a full complement（整套）of basic communications skills.Im a lot more concerned that kids who only use calculators and never learn to do multiplication and division by hand may fail to grasp the basics of mathematics.,Communication,Application,Ancient Chinese people paid great attention to calligraphy.It was through calligraphy that a candidate could manifest his literary talent in the Imperial Examination.Children of government officials had to learn calligraphy as well,and even many emperors were good at calligraphy.For example,Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty left his handwriting on many stele(石碑)in temples and palaces.Some people would argue that calligraphy is useless nowadays.List the functions of calligraphy to prove that it is still important and useful in modern times.,Thank You!,