On Differences between Eastern and Western Plastic Arts

Abstract

Plastic arts refer to the creation of visual static images with some substantial materials as well as methods, including architecture, sculpture, painting, industrial arts, design, calligraphy and seal cutting and so on. Due to the differences between the eastern and western cultures, plastic arts also display different characteristics. To be more specific, different geographical environments and social and historical environments have led to different cultural foundations of the two. The Chinese culture emphasizes the kinship while the western culture puts more importance to individual equality; the Chinese culture emphasizes ethical rules while the western culture the exploration into objective rules; the Chinese culture emphasizes harmony while the western culture opposition, hence resulting in the differences in Chinese and western value orientations. In addition, in the comparison between Chinese and western philosophy, the former seems to be macroscopic and comprehensive with its emphasis on the harmony between opposite sides and the inner experiences while the latter tends to be more scientific due to its division between sensibility and reason, individuality and generality.