The Site Of Being

This dissertation is based on the historical transformation of calligraphy education at the China Academy of Arts during nearly half a century through the reading of a large amount of valuable historical documents; the use of research methodologies derived from the current calligraphy education as well as from the fields of the humanities and the arts. The study is focused on the educational ideals and strategies of the China Academy of Arts, and the core theme of'inheritance and mission'which underpins the calligraphy education of the Academy. Within the context of a new era of globalization, information and image consumption, and with relevance to new models of calligraphy training in China's higher-education system and under the strategy of'multiple and interactive, harmonious yet different'set by the Academy, this dissertation discusses the historical circumstances and the present mission currently confronted by the calligraphy training of the Academy.In face of the debates on the power of cultural discourse in the contemporary world and the strategies of cultural defense, the academic ideal-'harmonious yet different'proposed by the Academy in response to the construction of a subjectivity of the Chinese cultural spirit, will provide a strategic resolution with Chinese characteristics towards the global contemporary transformation of visual cultures and the educational innovations in contemporary art institutions. The academic objectives of'consolidating foundation and cultivating resources'and'initiation and innovation'implemented alongside each other, formed a comprehensive academic system and a powerful resource for research and practice of current calligraphy education; the dual objectives construct innovative characteristics of modern calligraphy education at the China Academy of Arts in the new era.The dissertation is divided into four chapters as follows:Chapter One Historical Review and Innovative ContextsThrough the study of the three leading art educationists Cai Yuanpei, Lin Fengmian and Pan Tianshou, this chapter reviews that the scholarly conceptions-'harmonizing Chinese and Western [art]'proposed by Lin Fengmian and'co-existing of the two peaks [-Chinese and Western art]'advocated by Pan Tianshou have formed two major innovative contexts which have underpinned and influenced the Academy's historical transformation.The two contexts have invoked innovative implementations during the different historical eras, and have developed into the educational ideals and academic strategies of the Academy.The two dominant contexts are not the only source of the Academy's educational ideals, but are also a strategic source of value, dynamism and creativity. It aims to establish a position and distinguishing features of the China Academy of Arts and its calligraphy education-the two contexts have guided the developing strategies of the Academy which are inspirational, modern, artistic and international.Chapter Two Establishing Specialized Subject and Training SpecialistsThis chapter is an overview of the imperial calligraphic training in ancient China and the initial situation of calligraphic training in the higher education system during China's late imperial and modern periods. Historically, from Hongdumen Academy in the late Han Dynasty, the normal schools (established in China since the late Qing Dynasty) to the first tertiary-level calligraphy education founded at the Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts in the People Republic of China, the predicament of traditional calligraphy's decline had eventually been rescued and calligraphy training had been transformed into a part of the formal art education system-the path of'training specialists'of artistic subjects.Later after the Cultural Revolution, China entered a new historical era of reform. In the background of'85 New-Wave Art Movement, interacting with the development and violent changes of Chinese avant-garde art, calligraphy education at the Academy went through a process of revival and growth. Through the analysis of a few examples of calligraphy lessons personally experienced by the author, the chapter presents achievements on the research and practice of calligraphy education at the Academy during the new era.Chapter Three Consolidating Foundation, Cultivating Resources, Initiation and InnovationEntering the twenty-first century, the academic objectives-'consolidating foundation and cultivating resources'aimed at the Calligraphy Department and'initiation and innovation'projected by the Modern Calligraphy Research Institute co-composed the new theme of higher-education calligraphic training in the new era - to construct a new system of modern calligraphy education at the China Academy of Arts.Based on the historical documents regarding the establishment of the Calligraphy Department and the Modern Calligraphy Research Institute, this chapter surveys the new significance of academic research on calligraphy education and proposes a new vision of the'China Academy of Arts model'. Also, the chapter points out the achievement of experimental calligraphic training. Through these aspects, the new mission for calligraphy education at the China Academy of Arts in the new era is thus reflected comprehensively.Chapter Four Modern Calligraphy and Innovative CharacteristicsCentered on the notions of'modern'and'modernity', this chapter discusses the innovation in modern calligraphy and its education. In accordance with the academic contexts and the excellent tradition of artistic innovation at the China Academy of Arts, as well as the Academy's influence on and construction of contemporary art education, the discussion emphasized on the development and innovation which will contribute to the constructing of modern calligraphy education.In conclusion, the dissertation aims to construct innovative characteristics of modern calligraphy education at the China Academy of Arts. The study aims to revitalize and modernize Chinese calligraphy and national culture, to make new contributions to calligraphy teaching in China's higher education system and to the flourishing of contemporary art as well as its academic research.