Aesthetics Walks

Author: Zong Baihua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-02-17
Features: Professor Zong Baihua is a towering figure in modern Chinese aesthetics. His aesthetic writings are lyrical and artistic, imbued with the poetic and painterly essence of classical Chinese culture. They integrate the philosophy of Laozi and Zhuangzi, the tradition of Qu Yuan, and the thought of Liu Zongyao and Confucianism. From the smallest hills and valleys to individual flowers and birds, he discovers infinite beauty, embodying vastness within confined spaces. His works reveal the keen sensitivity of a poet and the perceptions of a modern individual, firmly and vividly capturing the essence and soul of Chinese aesthetics. This book compiles 22 of Professor Zong's finest aesthetic essays, the cream of his scholarly works, which have influenced generations of scholars. The reissue now includes authentic photographs and inscriptions from each period of his life, enhancing its elegance, simplicity, and refinement. Professor Zong wrote relatively little throughout his life, and A Stroll Through Aesthetics nearly gathers the essence of his lifelong aesthetic writings. It is also the only aesthetic work published during his lifetime. First published in 1981, this revised edition adds several photographs and corrects some typographical errors while largely preserving the original form. For a master deeply rooted in traditional culture, brimming with artistic spirit and poetic sensibility, and who embodied the soul of Chinese aesthetics—as well as the soft footsteps of his strolls—such a figure may become increasingly difficult to recreate amid the growing clamor of modernization. Yet, in an increasingly alienated world, how can we preserve the poetry of human life and the aspirations of existence? Isn't this a pressing global issue for modern people? And A Stroll Through Aesthetics offers just the inspiration we need in this regard.