The Crossing of Artistry—The Lacquer Art Department of Kyoto City University of Arts (World-Famous Art College)

Author: Jiang Li
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2001-01-01
Features: Professor Jiang Li describes the teaching status of Kyoto Art University at different levels—painting, carpentry, and craftsmanship—through personal experiences. The writing is straightforward and credible, with content that is thought-provoking. Reading it in one go leaves one deeply moved. China and Japan are both Asian countries facing the great challenge of modernization. Because they share similar issues, the current state of Japan as depicted by Jiang Li is hard for me to view as an unrelated "Eastern scene." Even the small lumber shop she describes makes me reflect on the weight of modernization in my heart. The development of civilization has no shortcuts. Rushing to abandon the old for the new often leads to failure, leaving more regrets. The descriptions in the book remind 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, offering meticulous and detailed services. 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, which makes it even more demanding of people's perseverance and long-term dedication.