China is one of the most interesting ancient civilizations, and it is not surprising that it boasts of an impressively rich history of art. For more than 3,000 years, the country crafted an enthralling culture that comprises of many forms that tell the story of its evolution. This post uncovers some of the vital artistic contributions, from contemporary installations to classical poetry.
Neolithic Pottery
This is one of the oldest Chinese types of art, and it draws its name from the era it was created. The art includes diverse ceramics pieces that were created about 10,000 BCE to 2,000 BCE. While the early Neolithic pottery was not painted, the bulk of the work, especially from Yanshao people, who occupied the Yellow River region, was decorated with distinctively patterned imprints. Towards the close of the Neolithic period, the people began using geometric designs and human faces.
Ritual Jades
Like the Neolithic era pottery, jade objects also trace their history to Neolithic China. The first jade object is believed to have emerged around 6,000 BCE and further developed into one of the most sought-after staples in Chinese culture. Most of the ritual jade objects were found in Linagzhu and Inner Mongolia.
The objects were made using metamorphic rocks and included vases, cups, and ornaments. These objects were largely used for decoration purposes. Some of them, such as the cylindrical Cong and Bi disk, were deeply symbolic, and people used them to symbolize earth and heaven. Even today, the objects remain some of the mysterious Chinese creations.
Bronze Vessels
The close of the Neolithic era ushered in a new and more vibrant age, the Bronze Age (2000 BCE). As the name suggests, this era was characterized by the use of bronze to create ritual and utilitarian objects. The most prevalent were the vessels.
In China, the Bronze Age is remembered because of the development of piece-mold casting, which was used in sculpting the metal. Piece-mold casting was very popular during the Shang Dynasty because it allowed people to make delicate designs via inscriptions on the molds.
Poetry
Although fine art was the most prominent in China for millennia, John Dodelande, one of the leading art collectors globally, insists that poetry was equally crucial. After its emergence approximately 2,000 years ago, as evidenced in Shih Chingand Chu Ci, poetry has become a crucial form of the Chinese culture.
Chinese poetry created until the May Fourth Movementis considered classical. The poetry of this era is mainly defined by the use of characters and presentation of rhyme. In contrast, modern Chinese poetry appears more experimental, adopting a wide range of Chinese languages. In each case, poems can be chanted, spoken, or written – mainly in calligraphy.
Contemporary Installations
Today, the ability to immerse viewers in an individual’s own spirit has yielded another form of art referred to as installation. This art is a type of movement featuring works that are interactive and large-scale. Contemporary installations are also, in most cases, site-specific. One of the leading artists in Contemporary art is Ai Weiwei.
The Chinese art forms in this post are only a few; it can be a lot longer. Others include calligraphy and landscape painting. Their influence, both in the west and east, is also growing, rapidly, and you should consider following the work of top art collectors, such as John Dodelande.