Aesthetics Stroll (Illustrated Edition)

Author: Zong Baihua
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-03-01
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 a single hill or depression, a single flower or bird, he discovers the infinite, embodying vastness within a small space. 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 writings on aesthetics, which have influenced generations of scholars. The reissue includes authentic photographs and inscriptions from different periods 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 aesthetic writings. It is also the only book on aesthetics published during his lifetime. First published in 1981, this reissue, apart from adding several photographs and correcting some typographical errors, largely preserves the original form. For such a master deeply rooted in traditional culture, brimming with artistic spirit and poetic sensibility, and who embodied the essence of Chinese aesthetics—his footsteps while strolling—may be increasingly difficult to recreate in the face of the growing clamor of modernization. Yet, in an increasingly alienated world, how can we retain the poetic spirit of humanity and the aspiration of life? Isn’t this a pressing global issue for modern people? And A Stroll Through Aesthetics offers just the inspiration we need in this regard.