Exit the cold palace of elegant art

Author: Peng De
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-08-01
Features: Elegant art, which was constantly marginalized in the 20th century, but it rejects morbidness, restlessness, and violent tendencies, advocating for peaceful, refined, novel yet not absurd artistic forms that purify and promote universal love. It is not necessarily an illustration of concepts or a tool for social change, nor is it a call for a rational life—it is the ideal life itself. In China, where refined culture has declined for two hundred years, and where elegant art has become an endangered species in the art world today, it deserves the attention of the nation. These works can help shape the temperament and social trends of contemporary and future Chinese people. This book selects works from these artists, some of which are the result of long-term dedication, while others are spontaneous masterpieces. These works are like the voice of a close friend, the gaze of a lover—unlikely to make you feel bored. Although these works fall short of our expectations, they all possess elegance. The author of this article offers a candid evaluation of these works based on their own feelings and tastes.