Chinese Contemporary Art Series

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1 Chinese Contemporary Art Series Editor-In-Chief Dr. Chunchen WANG China Academy of Fine Arts No. 8 Huajiadi Nanjie Street, Wangjing, Chaoyang District Beijing, P.R. China chunchenwang@126.com Deputy Editors-In-Chief Paul Gladston, Associate Professor, Nottingham University (paul.gladston@nottingham.ac.uk) Wenny Teo, Lecturer, Courtauld Academy of Art (Wenny.Teo@courtauld.ac.uk) Advisor Board Alexandra Munroe, Curator of Asian Art, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York Britta Erickson, Ph.D., independent curator, Palo Alto Duan Jun, Lecturer in Contemporary Chinese Art, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing Eugene Wang, Professor of Asian Art, Harvard University, Boston He Guiyan, Associate Professor, Sichuan Institute of Fine Arts, Chongqing John Rajchman, Professor, Art History, Columbia University, New York James Elkins, Professor, Art History, Theory, and Criticism, School of the Art Institute of Chicago Katie Hill, Dr., Sotheby s Institute of Art, London Mian Bu, independent curator, Beijing Melissa Chiu, Director of Hirshhorn Art Museum, Washington DC Michael Rush, Director of Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, East Lansing Paul Gladston, Associate Professor, Director of the Centre for Contemporary East-Asian Cultural Studies, The University of Nottingham Sheng Wei, Dr., Deputy Editor of Art Magazine, Beijing Thomas J. Berghuis, Dr., Curator of Chinese Art, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York Voon Pow Bartlett, Dr., Project Manager, Tate Research Centre: Asia-Pacific, London Wenny Teo, Dr., Lecturer in Modern and Contemporary Asian Art, The Courtauld Institute of Art, London Yi Ying, Professor, Art Historian, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing Yin Shuangxi, Professor in Contemporary Art, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing Yu Yang, Associate Professor in Modern Chinese Art, Central Academy of Fine Arts, Beijing Zheng Shengtian, Editor-in-Chief of Yi Shu magazine, Vancouver

2 This series focuses on what is happening to Chinese art in the course of recent decades. Since China has changed greatly, it is now a curiosity and a research task: What is that? Why is that? How can it be that? Culturally, why does Chinese art have its own special image narrative? How to evaluate and criticize Chinese art made today? Is it a continuation of its history and heritage? Is anything new that could be reconsidered further? Is Chinese art an artistic issue or a political one? This series of books will concentrate on such questions and issues and will invite international writers and scholars to contribute their thoughts on the explanation and elaboration of Chinese art today. More information about this series at

3 David Adam Brubaker Chunchen Wang Jizi and His Art in Contemporary China Unification

4 David Adam Brubaker School of Art and Design Wuhan Textile University Wuhan China Chunchen Wang China Central Academy of Fine Arts Beijing China ISSN ISSN (electronic) ISBN ISBN (ebook) DOI / Springer Heidelberg New York Dordrecht London Library of Congress Control Number: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. Exempted from this legal reservation are brief excerpts in connection with reviews or scholarly analysis or material supplied specifically for the purpose of being entered and executed on a computer system, for exclusive use by the purchaser of the work. Duplication of this publication or parts thereof is permitted only under the provisions of the Copyright Law of the Publisher s location, in its current version, and permission for use must always be obtained from Springer. Permissions for use may be obtained through RightsLink at the Copyright Clearance Center. Violations are liable to prosecution under the respective Copyright Law. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. While the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication, neither the authors nor the editors nor the publisher can accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may be made. The publisher makes no warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein. Printed on acid-free paper Springer is part of Springer Science+Business Media (

5 Preface to Chinese Contemporary Art Series The world s present interest in and focus on China is related to the great changes that have taken place in China over the last 30 years. The alterations in many phenomena actually allow us to observe the changes in China. Historically, transformation of a closed localized area does not immediately and directly evoke a chain reaction in neighboring areas. Today, however, that is not the case, especially for a country like China that has the largest population in the world, that at present has a huge manufacturing capacity and capability, that consumes vast amounts of natural resources, and that exhibits an unprecedented environmental impact. When these kinds of changes occur in China, the world cannot but feel their existence and impact. This is a necessary result of today s globalization and a phenomenon that cannot be avoided as the world has entered into the true meaning of the term global village. It does not matter whether one opposes globalization, favors localized cultural diversity, or favors a kind of you are within me and I am within you concept often referred as glocalization by the neologism. Because of its historical transformation, China is per force a focus for the whole world and, moreover, is a top priority focus. Today, there are more and more research studies produced about China, while institutions established to undertake research on China are becoming more prevalent in the world. This is both the continuation of traditional Chinese studies and also, at the same time, the start of a new worldwide proposition: as a country that maintains its historical continuity, as a country that has endured more than a century of chaos after which it weakened and declined, can China truly become a modern state of significance and democracy for the world? This has become both a historical challenge and a practical issue. Viewing the matter from China internally, the Chinese also have a historical curiosity about the events that have occurred, and they are eager to know what, after all, is the significance of these transformations. Although they are directly involved in their own desire for more answers, they know that these answers will not be obtained in the short term. In the field of art, the stories that appear and emerge have research value and require study because they are the results and visual symptoms of this historical transformation. The hope in editing and presenting this collection of writings is that, by means of publication, these literary works will observe, record, and reflect China s contemporary art stories and their significance. Publication will allow these articles and essays to reveal the development of art during a time of special temporal and spatial conditions. Searches for relevant scholarship reveal much historical baggage and an entangled history. Most of all, they provide a history of visual movements that requires special recognition and that represents the struggle and rebirth of art during a time when history is being remade. As the embodiment of spiritual expression and real existence, China s contemporary art is rife with contradictions and strivings. Overall, however, contemporary art in China is quite different from that of any other historical period. It transmits the effects of the propagation of foreign concepts and values. China s artists, as the inhabitants of the piece of earth called China, have an unprecedented variety of experiences. Chinese discussions and arguments about art, in both the modern and contemporary periods, have differed entirely from the dia- v

6 vi Preface logues and debates in other countries but, nonetheless, still show the impact of the times. Some of these arguments are about large topics such as a comparison of the west and China, cultural identity, and modernity, while some are about small topics such as styles of language, image generation, and even whether traditional brush and ink painting always reflects the psychology of a national culture. In fact, many of these issues are temporary, and many more are pseudo issues. Some of these issues are of a profound nature, while some involving rediscovery and recreation inspire new cultural and artistic entities. No matter what, the main problem of art in China today is that of putting art into practice. If there is no large quantity of creative art that is put into practice, then academic research could become specious. If art is not advanced uninterruptedly, it is difficult to continue with research that shows promising results. This series focuses on what happens to Chinese art in the present and includes monologues, studies in art history, case studies, movements, critical discourses, and so on. This, after all, is work for the long term. By means of the publication of this work, we hope to build a worldwide research network on contemporary Chinese art, to pass on China s research and tradition of Chinese studies, and to fuse together China s inquiries with those of interested audiences throughout the world.

7 Acknowledgments Writing is a complex undertaking especially when the topic is contemporary Chinese art and the search for ways to spiritually enrich attitudes toward life in the present. Jizi s dedication and determination over many decades of painting makes a book such as this possible. With the help of his experiences, writings and conversations, we have assembled here a comprehensive volume of essays, commentaries, and reflections. Jizi s images on the theme of the unification of self, nature, others, and a larger universe are sources for stimulation, guidance, and enlightenment that each reader is invited to examine and appreciate. The result is a unique and grounded exploration of contemporary Chinese art, the contribution of Chinese philosophy to global art and culture, and practices for healing local rifts and social displacements that are felt worldwide from material and technological growth. We would like to acknowledge, with thanks, the creative work of the authors represented in the appendix. These critics familiar with the global art scene enrich the volume and point to new avenues of inquiry, research, and study in comparative aesthetics. Gao Congyi contributes valuable descriptions of Jizi s search for a spiritual homeland, the space of deep distance and the notion of artist as sage. Yu Fan s discussion differentiates features of Chinese art and gives details of Jizi s pioneering method for realizing images of the spirit of Dao that is beyond images. In Jizi s paintings, winds howl and there are visions of open measureless caverns; these thoughts of Arthur Danto from Riverside Drive will remain for us always as an inspiration for imaginative readings. Curtis Carter stresses Jizi s experiments on pictorial space; he links Jizi s brush painting to leading contemporary artists such as Gu Wenda and Xu Bing. The breakthrough in depicting shifting space-times is the message from Deng Feng, who reminds us that Jizi is a present-day innovator. Jizi himself offers help to artists and scholars who seek contemporary interpretations for traditions of aesthetics belonging to Chinese philosophy. Many people offered helpful comments concerning the six chapters. Most helpful have been Mary Bittner Wiseman who encouraged deep reflection on intentional illegibility and Marthe Chandler with her thoughts on benti in Li Zehou s aesthetics. They have strengthened the book in many ways. Thanks goes to those who looked at early versions of the fifth chapter: Roger T. Ames, Stanley Murashige, and Peter Herchock who in earlier times provided influential seminars through the Asian Studies Development Program at the East-West Center. Dr. Chen Xiaojuan pointed in useful ways to the present-day context of Jing Hao s text. Wu Ting receives thanks for translations of recorded interviews with Jizi and valuable insights on his remarks on the spirit of Dao. Thanks to Matthew Griffiths for comments on the second chapter. Finally, special appreciation goes to Professor Li Wanjun and colleagues in the School of Art and Design at Wuhan Textile University for providing research time and facilities during the period of writing. With regard to design and production, we wish to express our gratitude to the editors and staff at Springer Verlag: Toby Chai, Leana Li, Nina Li, and Jenna Zhou. Rene Aanstoot and his team have given steady guidance during the production process. We are most grateful to artists and studio representatives who provided images out of courtesy: Jizi, Jia Youfu, Liu Guosong, vii

8 viii Acknowledgments Gu Wenda, Xu Bing, Zhang Xiaogang, and Terry Dintenfass on behalf of Arthur Dove. In addition, we thank images resource managers: Kerry Gaertner, Liz Kurtulik, Gretchen Martin, Hannah Rhadigan, Hillary Richardson, Margareth Verbakel, Wei Jia-Hua and Shady at the National Palace Museum, and Isabella Donadio at the Harvard Art Museums. We also thank the following Chinese art critics and scholars for their comments and conversations about Jizi s works: Duan Jun, Hang Chunxiao, He Guiyan, Huang Xiaofeng, Jia Fangzhou, Liu Libin, Liu Xiaochun, Lu Mingjun, Wu Liji, Sheng Wei, Yin Shuangxi, and Yu Yang. We are also grateful for rewarding conversations about Chinese contemporary art with Alexandra Munroe, Thomas Berghuis, Voon Pow Bartlett, Richard Vine, Wenny Teo, Paul Gladston, and John Rajchman. We also thank Dingfeng Gallery, Songzhuang Contemporary Ink Space, Being 3 Gallery, Pan-Art Space, Shanghai 22 Art Center, Michael Goedhuis Gallery, Wuhan Art Museum, Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, Shanghai Duolun Art Museum, Quarter Gallery (University of Minnesota), and Pearl Lam Gallery for their support in exhibiting Jizi s works. We particularly thank Edward Connelly for his excellent translations of Chinese essays on Jizi. His work makes Chinese essays accessible to English readers. We finally thank Prof. Yi Ying of Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing. He inspires inspires us on many points as we consider the reality of contemporary Chinese art.

9 Contents I Wang Chunchen 1 Conflicts and Confrontations: The Journey of China s Contemporary Chinese Ink Paintings... 3 II David Brubaker 2 Questions Questions and Debate Globalization and Success: The Search for Chineseness Chineseness and Chinese Philosophy: Embodiment and Meanings The Chapters: Jizi and His Art Who is Jizi? Practices: Circumstances and Self-Cultivation Longguan Xuanhua Red Flag Commune Ideas: Aesthetics and Picturing Unification Paths of Contemporary Chinese Ink Art Jizi s Paintings: The Path to Dao of Ink Originators: Jia Youfu, Liu Guosong, and Xu Bing Jia Youfu Liu Guosong Xu Bing Philosophy of Chinese Ink Art Jing Hao and Authentic Images Qi and Sensuous Noumenon Qi and Field of Experiences Xiang and Zhi: Image, Constitutive Emptiness, and the Visible Painting: Creating the Truth ix

10 x Contents 6 Spiritual as Mountains and Cosmos Unification and Uniqueness Images of the Spectacle of Sentient Being Painting Heritages: Retaining and Absorbing Comparison: Guo Xi s Early Spring Constructed Cosmos: Primal Nebula No. 5 and Mondrian Chinese Ink Art and Global Changes Field of Soul Series: Spirit of the Universe, Healing, and Social Commentary Chinese Aesthetics: Globalizing the Difference Intentional Authentic Illegibility and Anti-Writing Forging New Art Histories and Avant-Gardes Appendix The Dao of Ink and Dharma Objects On Jizi s Paintings Ink Paintings: Existence and Transcendence A Review of Jizi s Art The Seething World of Jizi s Paintings As viewed on a Macintosh Computer in a Manhattan Apartment on Riverside Drive Jizi: A Bridge Between Chinese Traditional Art and the Present The Benevolent Person is Boundless, His Artworks Impressive and Natural A Discussion of the Essentials of Jizi s Paintings The Creative Power of Ink Painting Revisited On Jizi s Dao of Ink Paintings A Compilation of Jizi s Reflections on Art Image Credits Bibliography Index

11 About the Author Professor of aesthetics and painting in the School of Art and Design at Wuhan Textile University. He received an M.F.A. in Painting from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Ph.D. in Aesthetics from the University of Illinois at Chicago. His publications include book chapters for Subversive Strategies in Contemporary Chinese Art, Buddhism and Merleau- Ponty, and Feminist Interpretations of Merleau-Ponty, as well journal articles and art reviews. He is active as a painter and printmaker. David Brubaker Associate Professor at the Central Academy of Fine Arts China, as well as an Adjunct Curator of Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum at Michigan State University, in 2013 he is appointed as Curator of Pavilion of China at the 55th International Art Exhibition la Biennale di Venezia. Also editor-in-chief of The Chinese Contemporary Art Series published by Springer Verlag, Germany and Deputy Principal Editor of Journal of Contemporary Chinese Art in UK. In 2009 he was honored with the coveted Chinese Contemporary Art Award. The result of this award is the writing and publication of Art Intervenes in Society. Wang has also played a great influence on Chinese contemporary art criticism by his translations of over ten books of art history and theory: such as After the End of Art (Arthur C. Danto), The Abuse of Beauty, Art Since 1940, Theory in Contemporary Art Since 1985, etc. In 2013 his two volumes of essays are published: The Democracy of Art and The Politics of Images. Dr. Wang Chunchen xi

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