Calligraphy exhibition illustrates the beauty of Chinese culture
Artist Xu Bing says function must not replace form in the evolution of Chinese characters, as his first solo exhibition in the city opens
Function dominates the evolution of Chinese characters, but will not displace the original beauty of one of the world’s oldest forms of writing.
Beijing-based artist Xu Bing says traditional and simplified characters are both here to stay, as the two Chinese scripts serve different purposes.
The influence of the simplified script is growing, and that is inevitable, Xu says, because its fewer strokes aid learning and, by extension, communication.
“But they cannot take over the job of traditional characters,” the master of Chinese character construction said. He is in Hong Kong to present his debut solo exhibition, It Begins with Metamorphosis, at the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre.
“Function, rather the responsibility for cultural preservation, is the principle guiding the development of characters. But traditional characters are about aesthetics. They resemble a closer linkage with the roots and intrinsic beauty of Chinese culture.”
The traditional script preserves the old form of writing and is used in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Simplified characters, developed by the Beijing government nearly 50 years ago, are becoming more widely used. Their increasing appearance in Hong Kong has provided fodder for anti-mainland sentiment.