Dear People of China (Cultural interlude)
It is taking longer than I thought to find time to finish the ‘Letter to the People of China’. In the meantime, to those of you for whom China’s great civilization has fired the imagination and want to know more, here are some ideas:
‘The Problem of China’ by Bertrand Russell, written in 1922. I think you’ll find it approachable and easy to read. The philosopher, Bertrand Russell, wrote dozens of books from a social point of view, always caring for what would make a better world. I have read more of his books and essays than those of any other writer. He is wisdom and clarity; he is one of the greatest minds who ever lived. (I heard that when he was teaching in China from 1920-21, his students were so thrilled by his intelligence that they made him a god.) This book tells the history of the Chinese Empire from the time of the Christian Era. China was self-sufficient and did not want to trade until in 1825 the British forced opium into the country in order to sabotage the social structure. When the Chinese went to war with them to try to stop the flow of opium into the country they learned the importance of science, i.e. superior weapons.
I think it is so much more worthwhile to read books which give a political-social perspective than to read only the daily news. You get a greater understanding of what goes on in the world.
Russell cared all his life about human suffering
‘The Story of the Stone’ (also known as ‘The Dream of the Red Chamber’) was written by Cao Xueqin in 1760 and remains one of the most popular books in China. It is the great novel of manners in Chinese literature. You can’t put it down – it is so clever and so charming. It tells how, in an amazingly rich family, life is all about the relationships between the highest to the lowest in the household. The hero loves all his 13 girlfriends, from childhood onwards. Indulge yourself, you’ll just love it.
The King and his baby
‘Wild Swans’, by Jung Chang is the story of three daughters of China: the grandmother had bound feet and was married to a warlord; the mother fought in Mao’s revolution; the daughter is the author of the book who lives in England. You follow history through their stories and you feel: I was there.
British Museum (London) and Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York):
I have one or two treasures. They are my Chinese vases which I bought in Hong Kong. Chinese scholars would sit all day meditating and discussing a Ming vase. The British Museum has a good collection of Chinese vases. Unfortunately, I know of no Chinese paintings there. When I go to New York, I sometimes spend three days on end looking at the collection of Chinese paintings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. They have such a vast archive they can change the exhibition so that I always see new things.
Dress inspired by one of my timeless Chinese vases
As I wrote in my last China blog:
My interest in China is fired by love of Chinese painting. It is unique, like the civilization from which it emanated; it is a tribute to the glory of life on earth. There is nothing like it. Each painting is a new event and the perfect example of what it represents. It is difficult to believe that anyone could have done it; it is so original that it seems to tell everything all in one go. Who knows which was the first brushstroke? Only those who spent a lifetime to discover the secret.
Pheasants and small bird with peach and bamboo, 1349
I must say Vivienne that I do love Chinese art. Whilst my love of especially 14th century, what I would class as traditional art, it still as strong as ever, I do find that there really is something special about the Chinese style of painting. Whether it’s the lack of colour in many, which in my view provokes the imagination much more than an overly bright painting, but the simplistic brilliance and how easily distinguishable Chinese art is is what fuels my love of it.
I have always wondered why Chinese are has such a distinctive style, is it simply tradition, or is there some reason in the past as to why this style was adopted? Either way, I believe that Chinese art is absolutely magnificent, an art which, like you, I feel I could stand and look at for hours.
Maybe it is the way in which the painings are simple yet infinitely complicated which entices me. I remember I went to the National Gallery a few years back and whilst everybody else was marvelling at what were admittedly magnificent paintings, some of my favourites were the unfinished works of Michaelangelo. The way in which these unfinished pieces of art had so much depth with simply pencil lines was astounding, and I feel to a certain extent the Chinese paintings have a similar effect.
Your letter has been most insightful, and I will certainly be exploring the writings of the authors that you have mentioned throughout your letter
Best wishes,
James
Comment by James Emmett on 12/05/2011 at 9:09 pm
Vivenne, In a simplistic way i have liked Chinese Artworks and Antiques most of my life, i think its something to do with the simplicity and they seemingly intense thought which goes into every brushstroke and every sweep of the chisel, very very calming to look at.
The other day i had cause not to switch on radio 4 when i woke, i blindly leave it on all day even though i mostly do not hear it, the ‘silent’ day was just my way of thinking about things in general, i summised that i at the ripe old age of a young 73 years have had a mostly good and reasonably happy life, how lucky i am. I started thinking about the 70s and how i was quite radical then, what happened?, then i would protest and cause as much disturbance as i could in an effort to right wrongs, have i really slipped into that comfy old age monster i used to loathe?. In my minds background i have always been an activist but i feel that now i need to rejuvinate this in myself so here goes!, i have once again emmersed myself in books, everything in my library from Dickens to Situationists will be re read with a new gusto, i will have my v first tattoo as i have always wanted one, my attire will help me as always as i have something from each of your seasons collections and also the odd thing from the old days of Kings road!, this look (tasteful of course…not a 73 year old Punk!) as always will give me the boost of confidence i need to tally forth of my adventure and keep me from settling for a quiet life again, not long left now so make it count Henshall!
Comment by David Stinker Henshall on 16/05/2011 at 9:09 am
Dear David
Thank you for your post and your interest in Chinese art. If you haven’t yet read it, you can find out more about my love of Chinese art and culture in my blog, The Artist and the Art Lover.
Comment by Vivienne on 06/07/2011 at 9:40 am
I found a great Chinese proverb in a book recently, which said;
“A book, tight shut, is but a block of paper.” – It made me realise how important it is to utilise books – often a forgotten passage of knowledge to the world.
This is exactly what needs to be taught in schools today – books are so important in the make up of what makes a strong, intelligent and educated individual. Not just about Science, Maths and English – but about culture and the world around them that they live in.
Comment by Sam Varnham on 17/05/2011 at 9:01 pm