Aesthetic Evolution Of Picture-text Relationships In A Dream Of Red Mansions

This research aims at illuminating the aesthetic evolution of picture-text relationships in A Dream of Red Mansions from a macro perspective of history, in which we regard the relationship development as the whole research object and investigate longitudinally the development vein of picture-text relationships in A Dream of Red Mansions from the Qing Dynasty to the present. It explores the interactive and intertextual state between pictures and texts and the aesthetic trend of picture-text relationships by using graphic theory and cultural theory in order to highlight the continuously strengthened main dynamic role of pictures in the picture-text interaction, and tap the unique value of picture-text relationships in A Dream of Red Mansions. It belongs to the problem domain in the picture-text relationships research. Picture-text relationships research as a hot issue of today’s aesthetic culture has taken on a new look different from the past. This new change is a product of aesthetic pluralism of mass culture and the consumption era and the result of society, culture and art conception and characteristics changes. Therefore, the research on aesthetic evolution of picture-text relationships in A Dream of Red Mansions can not only expand the horizon, but also provide a typical case analysis with academic value for picture-text relationships research.This paper is divided into six parts in structure.First, this paper proposes the value and significance of the topic, reviews the current status, analyzes the research shortage and the possibility in operation, and puts forward the research innovation and summarizes the research methods. The previous research is concentrated on the ancient illustrations and texts, lack of the picture-text relationships changes from ancient times to the present as the whole research object,let alone the discussion on the changes from the aesthetic perspective. This paper analyzes the aesthetic changes in A Dream of Red Mansions or analyzes the forms of picture-text relationships by the aesthetic changes so that it can extricate itself from symbol attribute research and go into a deeper aesthetic horizon.Second, it describes theoretical resources for aesthetic research on picture-text relationships in A Dream of Red Mansions. This chapter clarifies the Chinese and western picture-text relationships theory as well as the ancient culture theory, which are related to the research. Among many theories of pictures and texts in the west, the most helpful ones are imitation theory, intertextuality theory and image theory. All of these push forward the picture-text relationships research in A Dream of Red Mansions with academic and theoretical depths. Compared with theories of pictures and texts in the west, the word-image-meaning theory and the concept of harmony of poems and paintings in ancient China are more relevant to the research object, more direct intertextuality of image and language, and important evidence and reasons for aesthetic analysis on picture,text relationships in A Dream of Red Mansions.Third, it discusses aesthetic form and evolution trend of picture-text relationships in A Dream of Red Mansions. There are three kinds of aesthetic form: presentation relationship, interpretation relationship and metaphor relationship. Presentation dimension comes first, followed by interpretation dimension and metaphor dimension.They are arranged in a sequence closely connected with the maturity of visual technology and the development of era culture. It is culture evolution that makes metaphor dimension adopted. The three kinds are non-linear existing, but the sequence hints the trend of picture-text relationships changes.Fourth, it explains aesthetic taste changes of picture-text relationships in A Dream of Red Mansions. The changes in aesthetic form are connected with those in traditional and modern aesthetic taste,which reveals aesthetic taste performance behind picture-text relationships. One is aesthetic taste changes in picture composition,from perfect taste in harmonious relationship to fragmented taste in different interpretations’ relationship. In the next place is the aesthetic taste changing in painting skills from realistic taste in compatible relationship to virtual taste in alienated relationship. The third is aesthetic taste changes in style from grace and connotation to agileness and vigor.Fifth, it refers to aesthetic value orientation evolution of picture-text relationships in A Dream of Red Mansions. Aesthetic value means the unity of truth,goodness and beauty. The evolution of aesthetic value orientation of picture-text relationships in A Dream of Red Mansions is revealed through connotation changes of truth, goodness and beauty. Truth reflects the transformation from reality in subject-object dichotomy to hyper reality in visual times. Goodness reflects moral values on female bodies changes. Based on moral values, this section mainly talks about value orientation evolution of goodness because of female characters in A Dream of Red Mansions. The judgment of bodies morality and bodies immorality reflects differences in ancient and modem moral standards,while the value of bodies indicates new standards for judging bodies morality in consumption era. Beauty reflects differences in beauty orientation about different forms of picture-text relationships. Interoperable form presents beauty of true qualities. Aloof form presents personality beauty. Peeling form presents uninhibited beauty.Last, it talks about aesthetic acceptance changes in picture-text relationships in A Dream of Red Mansions, aimed at analyzing acceptance process of the recipients and indicating their identity changes have an influence on form and acceptance. Analysis of the psychological process of aesthetic acceptance emphasizes the differences in psychological activities and conscious activities in face of different; picture-text relationships. Interpretation of the recipients’ aesthetic acceptance vision indicates different aesthetic framework and aesthetic view in different picture-text relationships,and changes in picture-text relationships show the transformation of aesthetic vision.In a word,the special picture-text relationships in A Dream of Red Mansions will trigger people’s reflections on the issues of literature and art, especially the essence of pictures and texts, symbolic function of pictures and texts, the relationships of image thinking and language thinking as well as the relationships of image and language.With the visual era coming, aesthetic analysis on picture-text relationships reveals major characteristics of social and cultural evolution, aesthetic spirit and the law of development of pictures and texts.