The Crossing of Artistry

Author: Jiang Li
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-01-01
Features: Teacher Jiang Li describes the current state of teaching at Kyoto Art University at different levels—painting, carpentry, and craftsmanship—through personal experiences. His writing is straightforward and credible, and the content is thought-provoking. Reading it in one go left me deeply moved. China and Japan are both Asian countries facing the great challenges of modernization. Because they share similar issues, the portrayal of Japan in Jiang Li's writing is hard for me to view as an unrelated "Eastern scene." Even the small lumber shop he describes made me reflect on the weight of modernization in my heart. The development of civilization has no shortcuts. Hasty abandonment of the old for the new often leads to frustration and leaves more regrets. The descriptions in the book reminded me of the countless small shops, stationery stores, bookstores, and hardware stores I've seen abroad. Though their storefronts are small, they are densely packed, and the services they provide are meticulous and thorough. Like the art teachers Jiang Li writes about, they are ordinary, self-respecting, and dedicated. Their work may not make headlines, but they are respected in society because they lay the foundation for social civilization. It is also their level of skill that reflects the degree of civilization in society. The content, methods, system, and underlying concepts of university art education form a complex system. In its historical evolution, there are no shortcuts, and it requires even more perseverance and long-term accumulation.