Popular Books On The Wind And The Study Of Contemporary Popular Culture

This thesis is an in-depth study of the pop-style calligraphy and contemporary mass culture in China. Through detailed analysis of the definition, concept, and characteristics of pop-style calligraphy, this thesis reveals the phenomena, significance and implication of such calligraphic trend within the context of contemporary culture. Even thought pop-style calligraphy is still rooted in Chinese traditions, it is a unique response to the challenges of contemporary life-style, and it emphasizes creativity and individuality.China's contemporary mass culture first developed in 1990s when planned economy was broken down and replaced by open market economy. Such cultural trend has changed people's ideology, and in turn, helps the establishment of a more open and democratic society in contemporary China.One of the most important contributions of the pop-style calligraphy is its deconstruction of the sacred traditional values, which have been controlled by the literati class throughout the history. Joined by the mass in China, pop-style calligraphy is now a movement of secularization of calligraphy in China, it may have a significant scholarship value, yet, one can easily see that it has a positive as well as a negative effects to the future of Chinese culture.