Research on Chinese Aesthetic Culture

Author: Kong Zhiguang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2002-09-01
Features: A Study of Chinese Aesthetic Culture is a theoretical work in aesthetics with ancient Chinese aesthetic cultural phenomena as its primary research object. Guided by the fundamental principles of dialectical materialism and historical materialism, it comprehensively applies knowledge from multiple disciplines such as anthropology, cultural studies, history, archaeology, ethnology, folkloristics, religious studies, mythology, art history, and psychology. It draws upon and employs various methodologies, including systems theory, information theory, cybernetics, psychoanalysis, archetypal criticism, hermeneutics, and more, to conduct a comparative and in-depth rational analysis and logical grasp of major theoretical issues. These include the three major stages of the historical development of Chinese primitive art, the aesthetic characteristics of ancient Chinese myths, the aesthetic features of ancient Chinese jade carving art, the historical evolution of the life spirit in ancient Chinese painting art, the terrifying and harmonious beauty of the Taotie patterns on Shang-Zhou bronze ware, the cultural connotations and aesthetic features of ancient Chinese bronze drums, the aesthetic implications and artistic expressions of Han Dynasty painting, the aesthetic transformation of Buddhist sculpture art in China, the modern tendencies in the aesthetic thought of Shi Tao's painting, the Taoist life aesthetic implications of Dream of the Red Chamber, the influence of ancient Chinese aesthetic culture on the Jomon period aesthetic culture in Japan, as well as the aesthetic commonalities between architectural and musical arts, the aesthetic implications and fundamental characteristics of Chinese popular musical art, and the aesthetic essence of art, among others.
This book has three distinctive features: first, it emphasizes theoretical innovation, striving for clear and distinct viewpoints that surpass previous works; second, it focuses on a macro-level, holistic grasp, making every effort to uncover deep cultural implications; third, it prioritizes empirical research, striving to substantiate arguments with extensive evidence. Most of the content in this book is a master's thesis, demonstrating a high academic level.