Art World: Volume 3

Author: Jiang Xiwu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-04-01
Features: Shandong Du Yu has written a letter about "editorial planning" (see the end of volume "Talks on the Art World"), regarding the first and second volumes of my humble compilation, with praise and criticism equally divided. The opinions are indeed very valuable; however, the so-called "grasping the main idea" has its own hardships, mainly in the difficulty of soliciting manuscripts. It is like a fine meal—first come the side dishes, but whether the combination is appropriate depends on the raw materials. The publication of "The Art World" has often been delayed, mostly due to the unbalanced arrangement at the time. How can outstanding works be sought when everything is not yet in place? I sincerely hope that both the writers and readers can pay attention.
When the texts for this volume were compiled, the issue of the "main idea" came to mind. Looking at the beginning and the end, I recalled Li Tang, one of the four great masters of the Southern Song Dynasty in painting, who wrote a poem:
"Clouds amidst mist, rain over the rapids,
Easy to see, hard to create;
Had I known it wouldn’t please the times,
I would have spent more on rouge to paint peonies."
This was Li Tang’s complaint, lamenting the "preference for beauty" of the times. It seems that the "preference for beauty" has been the same throughout history. This is, to some extent, an unavoidable matter. Nowadays, there is talk of "visual impact," and "attracting attention" is in vogue, as if it is unstoppable. However, if we reflect further, while complaining, Li Tang still faced the challenge and painted his "clouds amidst mist, rain over the rapids." After all, he did not paint the "rouge peonies" that pleased the times. This is something we should emulate.
From that time to the present, can the talented artists of today also persist on stage, with fewer concerns about the "eyes of the times," and less focus on the "rouge peonies," to paint their "clouds amidst mist, rain over the rapids"? Even if it is difficult to achieve at first, more complaints would be better. After all, having complaints is better than having none. It can even be said that complaints bring hope.
Over the years, "The Art World" has been nothing but complaining, which can also be seen as a certain positioning. It aligns with the positioning of catering to a "niche audience." This kind of "complaint" is often criticized as "speaking from a height without feeling the pain," or as "mere empty talk." What can be said standing up may not be as easily expressed when bending down. "Empty talk" may not necessarily lead to "misfortune." The Chinese intellectual world has long had a tradition of "discussing but not governing." "Standing up to speak" and "empty talk" can still produce some meaningful discussions, relying on the absence of the utilitarianism of "governing."
As the saying goes, "the" (observers are clear-sighted). Why not? "The Art World" has always been supported and valued by Mr. Wang Yuanyhua. Now, with his mediation and facilitation, the third volume of "The Art World" has finally settled at the Shanghai Education Press, a triple blessing!