Huang Yongyu: Walking in this world

Author: Li Hui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-09-01
Features: This series of books adopts a combination of text and images, presenting a rich and vivid visual experience. Concise text explains the images, while abundant images annotate the text. Each frame of famous people's life snapshots, each precious old photograph from the past, holds an essence that words alone cannot fully convey. Without text, the images would be like a "silent movie." It is precisely through these concise captions that readers are encouraged to imagine and engage more deeply with the content, creating a three-dimensional perception of the individuals and making them more real, vivid, and well-rounded. As the saying goes, "Images are the eyes of the text, and text is the voice of the images." This series achieves this effect—words gain authenticity through images, and images become more vivid through words, complementing each other perfectly.
In terms of writing style, the author breaks free from the conventional biographical approach of following a person's growth in chronological order. Using a "focus" format, the author captures the most brilliant and pivotal moments in the lives of these figures to highlight their personality traits. Additionally, relevant quotes from the subjects and comments from others are interwoven to present the characters from multiple perspectives and layers, making them come alive before the readers. For example, in Ding Cong—How the Scroll Unfolds, the author begins with poetic imagery, recalling a rainy autumn day spent with Ding Cong in his old Shanghai lane house when Ding was around eight or nine years old. Through a cinematic montage, the author transports readers into Ding Cong's life world. Reading the text and viewing the images feels as if these figures have stepped out of the book and into our midst.
I found this series quite enjoyable, as it not only enhances cultural literacy and quality of life but is also relaxing and engaging. The times are changing rapidly. As we look back across the river of history and reflect on the century's home, we discover that the figures in this series—Huang Yongyu, Liang Sicheng, Deng Tuo, Lao She, Ba Jin, Yang Xianyi, Wang Shichang, Ding Cong, and others—are outstanding representatives of intellectuals in the 20th century, embodying the elite of the era. Examining them is, in essence, examining intellectuals in the present day. "All of them are meant to highlight the living conditions of different individuals in the historical context." (Preface) This series encourages reflection on history, deeper contemplation of the present, and a greater appreciation for contemporary intellectuals, especially the cultural elite of the era.
By observing the thoughts, lives, and pursuits of these era-defining figures in art and truth, we can identify a common thread: despite enduring hardships, risks, and trials, they faced life with a positive, intellectual attitude and a humble heart. In the crucible of life, they transformed suffering into art, embracing life with joy and a sense of humor, leaving behind a vibrant and colorful legacy. From them, we gain profound insights into the essence of life, refreshing perspectives, and a sense of peace and freedom.
Especially when reading the precious "old photographs" preserved for decades, they resemble flickering sparks of life. These "old photographs" are the most vivid and brilliant parts of their lives, delivering a powerful visual impact. This creates a unique effect when we grasp the meaning of life expressed by these figures, evoking deep historical reflection, existential contemplation, and leaving a vivid and profound impression. Through them, we clearly see the diverse and multifaceted souls and figures of these cultural icons, who placed great emphasis on integrity, character, scholarly pursuits, personal conduct, and the art of living.
Reading this series also allows us to peer deeper into their inner worlds—loyal to others, to knowledge, to family, and to the nation, with hearts full of passion. This series is a collection that highlights historical photographs and visual materials, focusing on key figures. It is said that we now live in an "image era," and this is indeed true. Beyond television, film, and CDs dominating cultural consumption and reading trends, the rise of old photographs, old cartoons, and old illustrations alone demonstrates that people are no longer satisfied with experiencing life and history through text alone. They increasingly turn to historical images to read about people and history.
Indeed, a single living scene, a portrait, or even a page of manuscript often holds more appeal and sparks imagination than descriptive text. It is often puzzling why a small city like Fenghuang could produce figures like Shen Congwen and Huang Yongyu, uncle and nephew, two generations of artists, in the 20th century. Through their respective creations, they made their own beautiful voices heard in China during that era.
At the age of 12, Huang Yongyu left Fenghuang alone to explore the outside world. Yet the influence of his hometown remained forever, deeply etched in his memory.