Studies On Deng Yi-zhe's Aesthetic Ideas

Deng Yi-zhe is a famous aesthetician in modern China. He is one of the earliest scholars who have referred to western academic ideas to study China's classical aesthetics and has made outstanding contributions in this area. But for a long time, his aesthetic ideas haven't got the proper attention from the academia. This paper will make a preliminary study on Deng Yi-zhe's aesthetic ideas and it can be divided into four parts:Part one is about the background of the times and the theoretical origins of Deng Yi-Zhe's aesthetic ideas. Deng Yi-zhe's aesthetic ideas was born and developed in a changeable era. The turbulent situation of the late Qing Dynasty and the collision between Chinese and western cultures contribute to the birth of his aesthetic ideas. He was born in a family of knowledge and culture and has been edified by traditional culture since his childhood. When he was young he studied abroad in Japan, the United States and Europe and was deeply influenced by western ideas, especially. Hegel and Croce. All of these have laid a solid theoretic foundation for his explanation of Chinese traditional aesthetic ideas with western theories later.Part two explains Deng Yi-zhe's theoretical aesthetic system which performs as Rhythmic Vitality. He outlined the two interrelating systems of the development of Chinese aesthetics, the"body-figure-mood-idea"system and the"liveliness-spirit-mind-rhythmic vitality"system, using the research method of the unity of history and logics. The former is the description of the art evolution in the process of Chinese calligraphy and painting development, that is to say, the historical track of Chinese painting evolution. While the latter is the summary of the perceptual appearance pattern of the calligraphy and painting art in different historical periods. In his view, the highest stage of the development of art is the "Reason" stage, whose perceptual appearance pattern is"Rhythmic Vitality".Part three talks about characteristics of Deng Yi-zhe's aesthetic ideas. His aesthetics system has the characteristics of systematicness, nationality, integration of history and theory as well as practicality of guiding artistic creation. He makes new explanations of Chinese traditional calligraphy and painting using the method of integration of history and theory. When talking about calligraphy and painting creation, he clearly expresses the steps of learning painting that is"shift of writing—imitation—vividness—rhythmic vitality. The creation experience of Chinese calligraphy and painting artists shows that"shift of writing"is the most fundamental and scientific learning method. In the study of calligraphy and painting, it should be concise to grasp font, vigor of style in writing and art of composition. It's very easy to solve the problem of molding abilities to understand and grasp through shift of writing. Only when having had this kind of molding abilities can"writing spirit with body"be possible. Therefore, Deng Yi-zhe's aesthetics contains practical and useful creation theories.Part four is about the theoretical significance of Deng Yi-zhe's aesthetic ideas. The theoretical significance of his aesthetic ideas is embodied in the modern transformation of traditional aesthetic ideas and the systematic construction of artistic aesthetics. He re-explains the important category of aesthetic ideas of traditional calligraphy and painting and has surpassed the predecessors. The practical significance of his aesthetic ideas is that he has offered a new way of researching Chinese aesthetics, that is referring to western aesthetic theories and combing Chinese traditional art spirit and using the method of"integration of history and theory". In the aspect of specific creations, he has also proposed practical and useful methods, which still has guiding significance today.Mr. Deng has devoted all his life into aesthetics and Chinese traditional calligraphy and painting. His profound insights for traditional calligraphy and painting arts have provided valuable resources for latter scholars. His spirit of exploration and open attitude demonstrated in the course of researches are worthwhile to be learned by latter researchers.