Chinese Calligraphy Research Articles

Research on English Translation and Overseas Dissemination of Chinese Calligraphy

This article explores the aesthetic value and profound connotations of Chinese calligraphy as well as the translating strategies for its overseas dissemination. By comparison and contrast of different translation such as literal translation, free translation and intersemiotic translation, the article summarizes that the theory of intersemiotic translation provides a new perspective and methodological guidance for translating Chinese calligraphy into English. The article also analyzes the current situation and challenges during disseminating Chinese calligraphy overseas, and proposes combining new media and network technology is an effective means for overseas dissemination of Chinese calligraphy.

SPFont: Stroke potential features embedded GAN for Chinese calligraphy font generation

SPFont: Stroke potential features embedded GAN for Chinese calligraphy font generation

‘Mapping’ China’s Art Industry: Understanding Contemporary China Through Qiu Zhijie’s Maps as a Medium of Cultural Relations

Deeply ingrained in the fabric of Chinese society, calligraphy originated as an ancient art form and is known as the chief of all traditional arts in China. In the current artistic context of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), calligraphy has merged with contemporary art forms to reflect the dynamic changes and realities of the country. Addressing gaps in academic literature focusing on China’s soft power and cultural diplomacy, this paper focuses on cultural relations to develop a people-centered pathway that flows “organically” and enables the understanding of current-day China. Inspired by Anne Marie-Slaughter’s conceptualization of a “web” of networks, this paper employs a case study analysis of specific contemporary artworks by Chinese contemporary artist Qiu Zhijie. Indeed, this paper finds that Qiu’s maps reflect nuances of contemporary Chinese society, showcasing the intricate relationship between calligraphy, contemporary Chinese art forms, and Chinese culture and society. Further, due to the unique combination of Chinese characters and English text, woven together through cartography and Chinese calligraphy, Qiu’s maps provide international audiences with basic tools for understanding cross-cultural nuances and contemporary realities. In the context of international relations, Qiu’s maps may act as a medium for improving the international community’s understanding of current-day China.

A Multi-dimensional Analysis on the International Communication Effectiveness of Chinese Calligraphy

Please refer to the URL that includes this article for the abstract.

Calligraphic Semiotic Interpretation in Jewelry Design: Culture, Identity and Expression

This article places the application of calligraphy in jewelry design under the perspective of semiotic research. It is a targeted study based on whether calligraphy can be organically integrated with semiotic characteristics for jewelry design. Supplemented by qualitative analysis, based on the relationship between the form and connotation of calligraphy and the signifier and the signified in semiotics, the positive impact of the integration and mutual promotion of calligraphy semiotics and jewelry design was deeply explored. This article first introduces the principles of semiotics, cultural semiotics and the research theory of traditional Chinese cultural symbols, then explains the essential characteristics and significance of jewelry design, and then focuses on the multi-dimensional and diversified connection between calligraphy, jewelry design and semiotics. After discussion and research, we finally reflected on jewelry design and attached relevant suggestions. The perspective chosen in this article is one of the outstanding features of this study. Although calligraphy and symbols originated from different cultural backgrounds in the East and the West, they have common attributes and functions that can be learned from each other. Based on the theoretical intersection of calligraphy and semiotics, the value and application of the combination of calligraphy symbols and jewelry design are discussed, which fully illustrates the close connection between Chinese calligraphy and semiotics and jewelry design. This article attempts to start with Chinese calligraphy and use semiotic research as a guide to construct a more practical "symbol"-"calligraphy"-"culture" jewelry design model. Through theoretical framework analysis, literature review, and empirical research, this article delves into how calligraphic symbols contribute to cultural heritage conservation, personal identity expression, and artistic expression in the context of jewelry design.

The Aesthetic Expression of Abstract Calligraphy: Emotion and Form between Brush and Ink

Calligraphy is one of the most important visual art forms inherited from China for thousands of years. The visual formal resources contributed by the dots and structures of Chinese calligraphy are one of the wonders in the world art history. Among them, abstract calligraphy, as a unique art form, contains rich emotional expression and formal aesthetic exploration between brush and ink. This study adopts a qualitative research paradigm, through in-depth interviews with senior abstract calligraphers, art critics and scholars, combined with on-site observation of the creative process of calligraphy, literature analysis and interpretation of works, in order to comprehensively analyze the emotional connotation and formal vocabulary of abstract calligraphy, and to clarify the intrinsic connection and tension between the two. The results of the study show that in abstract calligraphy, the subject's emotional experience is the root power of modeling. Through the refinement and sublimation of life experience, the calligrapher injects the vibration of individual consciousness and philosophical thoughts into the brush and ink with the help of visual elements such as brush strokes, lines, and compositions. The brush and ink become the direct speech of the mind, and the viewer can feel the rhythm and bitterness of life, the struggle and emptiness of desire, the pursuit of tranquility and other rich emotional experiences in the works. At the same time, the careful construction of formal language is also the core of abstract calligraphy exploration. Through the mastery of brush and ink materials and writing momentum, the use of wet and dry contrast, white space, texture and other techniques, to create a shocking visual tension, giving people a strong experience of formal aesthetics. The study emphasizes that abstract calligraphy realizes a high degree of unity between emotion and form. On the one hand, the form itself carries the spiritual experience and inner emotion of the calligrapher; on the other hand, the emotion gives life and inner tension to the form. The two integrate and echo each other, forming an organic whole. It is this perfect combination of mind and form that makes abstract calligraphy become the visualization of human emotion and spiritual world, and triggers endless thoughts and resonance in the viewers. The researcher comprehensively analyzes the emotional core and formal qualities of abstract calligraphy from both theoretical and empirical levels, providing a new perspective for a deeper understanding of the unique aesthetic value of this art form.

The Role and Challenges of Three-Stroke Script in Modern Calligraphy Education

Chinese calligraphy education (CCE), with world-renowned artistic and cultural values, is essential to Chinese culture. The “Three Strokes Script (TSS)” is an integral part of CCE, which not only improves the CCE’s efficiency and standardization but also meets the needs of modern life and promotes the wide dissemination and innovative development of CCE. There are more studies on TSS, but comprehensive review articles are still lacking. Therefore, there is a need to analyze the state of development and trends in TSS and use these insights to improve the quality of teaching and enhance students' comprehensive literacy. This study synthesizes a large amount of relevant literature from China and abroad. Comparative analysis demonstrates the educational value of TSS. It reveals the current state of implementation of TSS and identifies the challenges faced in the current practice of TSS. The results show that TSS significantly improves calligraphic skills, aesthetic literacy, cultural inheritance, and identity. Meanwhile, digital technology has brought new opportunities for TSS, immensely stimulating students' interest and participation in learning. Some challenges in TSS still need to be further explored and solved. The teaching quality can be effectively improved by innovating the education model, strengthening the teacher construction, and utilizing modern technology. Through systematic analysis, this paper provides new research ideas and directions for future TSS and modern calligraphy education.

Design of Calligraphy Teaching Materials from the Perspective of Chinese Preschool Education-Anshan City Case Study

Background and Aim: The art of Chinese calligraphy is an important part of Chinese culture because of its artistic and aesthetic value. It originates from Chinese characters, which evolved from traditional symbols. Chinese characters have gone through three stages of development: image, borrowing, and echoing. Chinese characters have evolved from pictures and symbols to standardized forms such as ancient seal script, small seal script, official script, regular script, running script, and cursive script. Calligraphy is a special art originating from China. Children begin learning calligraphy at an early age, with some children as young as four or five practicing scribbling and writing. Before formal literacy education, children develop curiosity about words and engage in spontaneous writing. Learning calligraphy is ideal for preschoolers because it helps develop their creativity and improves their hand-eye coordination. Studies on the emergence of reading and writing in China have been conducted since the 1990s. These studies are based on the Western pinyin writing system and aim to examine the development of literacy skills in children. The goal is to explore the manifestation of reading and writing skills in children and their ability to develop these skills. This study aims to develop and design calligraphy teaching materials for preschool children in Anshan City, China, by incorporating cultural elements unique to the region. Materials and Methods: The study lasted 12 weeks, during which time 50 preschoolers were observed and their activities recorded using a combination of quantitative and qualitative research methods, including content and text analysis and user experience research methods. Valid data were generated for analysis. Results: The research suggests that introducing Spring Festival couplets in writing education can help preschool children understand regional culture and encourage them to learn. This can make a significant contribution to calligraphy education for preschool children, which has not been explored before. To improve the calligraphic ability and interest of preschool children, an innovative approach based on educational technology can be used to develop and design calligraphy teaching materials. The effectiveness and feasibility of these materials can be validated through their use in the learning of calligraphy for preschool children in Anshan City, providing new teaching tools for calligraphy education in the city. This can serve as a reference for calligraphy education for preschool children and promote innovation in the field. Conclusion: The study explored the current state of calligraphy art education for preschoolers in Anshan City. Results revealed that there are some issues such as lack of engaging content and teaching methods. Questionnaires and interviews showed that preschoolers are interested in calligraphy, but there is a need for better resources and teaching methods. An experiment was conducted in two kindergartens to compare a new calligraphy education model with traditional methods. Preliminary results suggest that the new model improved children's calligraphy knowledge, skills, interest, and creativity. However, further research is needed for more accurate findings. The conclusion suggests that calligraphy teaching materials for preschool children should take into account their cognitive development and educational needs.

How Does Meaning Affect the Perceived Value of Art? The Case of Chinese Calligraphy

How does meaning making affect the perceived value of art? In this paper, we focus on a unique form of art, Chinese calligraphy, to explore the effects of literal meaning on the perceived value of art combining both words and aesthetic quality. Based on a 2*4 between-subjects factorial experiment (n = 451), we find evidence that the provision of transcriptions for Chinese calligraphy artworks can have certain impact on the works’ perceived value. Specifically, our findings suggest that transcriptions enhance the appreciation of the value of the literal content and the perceived beauty of certain artwork. This paper contributes to a better understanding of the effect of meaning on the perceived value of Chinese calligraphy artworks, information supply on aesthetic experiences, and the value of Chinese calligraphy as intangible cultural heritage. Recommendations for stakeholders including auction houses are provided.

The Art of Chinese Calligraphy: Educational Protection and Literacy Study of Cultural Heritage

Chinese traditional calligraphy is an important part of Chinese culture, with rich cultural value, historical value, artistic value and educational value. Traditional calligraphy art has shown new characteristics in the current era. This research objectives are: 1) to study the historical development and cultural value of Chinese calligraphy; 2) to analyze the current situation and issues of Chinese calligraphy; 3) to identify the way in which inheritance and literacy of Chinese calligraphy art can be protected. This research adopts qualitative methods, collecting field data through literature document, surveys, interviews, observations, and group discussions. Our results summarize the multiple eras through which the historical development of Chinese calligraphy took place. Our study focused on the content and artistic styles of Chinese calligraphy, categorizing its development into four periods; namely (i) Primitive Society to 2070 BC, which is characterized by pictographic writing and primitive symbols. (ii) 2070 BC to 221 BC, the period of formation of written characters and invention of the writing brush and ink, (iii) 221 BC to 589 AD, characterized by the standardization of Xiaozhuan and the invention of papermaking, and (iv) 589 AD to 1905 AD characterized by development and refinement of the five script styles influenced by the imperial examination system. Our results also depict the current situation and problems of Chinese calligraphy and the problems it faces. Finally, the results also show the multiple ways in which Chinese calligraphy could be preserved. As an excellent cultural heritage, traditional Chinese calligraphy art will shine with new light in modern society.

An End-to-End Generation Model for Chinese Calligraphy Characters Based on Dense Blocks and Capsule Network

An End-to-End Generation Model for Chinese Calligraphy Characters Based on Dense Blocks and Capsule Network

Increasing Offline Handwritten Chinese Character Recognition Using Separated Pre-Training Models: A Computer Vision Approach

Offline handwritten Chinese character recognition involves the application of computer vision techniques to recognize individual handwritten Chinese characters. This technology has significantly advanced the research in online handwriting recognition. Despite its widespread application across various fields, offline recognition faces numerous challenges. These challenges include the diversity of glyphs resulting from different writers’ styles and habits, the vast number of Chinese character labels, and the presence of morphological similarities among characters. To address these challenges, an optimization method based on a separated pre-training model was proposed. The method aims to enhance the accuracy and robustness of recognizing similar character images by exploring potential correlations among them. In experiments, the HWDB and Chinese Calligraphy Styles by Calligraphers datasets were employed, utilizing precision, recall, and the Macro-F1 value as evaluation metrics. We employ a convolutional self-encoder model characterized by high recognition accuracy and robust performance. The experimental results demonstrated that the separated pre-training models improved the performance of the convolutional auto-encoder model, particularly in handling error-prone characters, resulting in an approximate 6% increase in precision.

Thoughts on Marxist Aesthetics and the End of Chinese Calligraphy Art

本文立足马克思经典著作《1844 年经济学哲学手稿》和《共产党宣言》等，展开对马克思主义美学基本内容的探讨。与此同时，按照“解构”“建构”与“重构”的研究范式，从阿瑟·丹托的“艺术终结论”出发，讨论后现代艺术对中国艺术的冲击及其带来的变化，特别是反映在中国书法艺术身上的“终结”危机与“复古”延续。在“终结”危机与“复古”延续的矛盾背景下，用马克思主义美学的基本理论考察中国书法艺术，进而对其基本内容和发展路径有更为清晰的把握。

Cost-effective, highly efficient, and stable evaporator constructed of Chinese ink impregnation superhydrophobic Xuan paper for solar-driven interfacial organic solvent purification

The lack of cost-effective, highly efficient, and stable photothermal conversion materials in organic solvents greatly hinders the development of solar-driven interfacial evaporation for organic solvent purification. Herein, inspired by the traditional Chinese calligraphy culture, black ink impregnated superhydrophobic Xuan paper membrane (XPBI) is fabricated via a pressing-impregnation method for solar-driven interfacial organic solvent purification. The high photothermal conversion efficiency and long-term stability of XPBI are attributed to the inherent stability, superhydrophobic surface, and abundant channels of Xuan paper, as well as strong adhesion with carbon black particles. As a result, XPBI exhibited a high light absorption of 94.96 % within a broadband wavelength. The evaporation rates of DMF and NMP for XPBI under one sun were 3.63 and 1.44 kg·m−2·h−1, 49 and 127 times higher than that of natural evaporation. After natural sunlight irradiation for 8 h, XPBI evaporated 37.58 and 9.63 kg·m−2 IPA and DMF with organic dye rejection rates of 99.7 %. Furthermore, the simulation and optimization of cotton bud arrangement for organic solvent transport is proven to inhibit the membrane pollution of dye molecules for XPBI. This work demonstrates a low-cost, highly efficient, and stable photothermal membrane evaporator as an energy-saving and low-carbon technical prototype for organic solvent purification.

Effects of Visual Art Therapy on Positive Symptoms, Negative Symptoms, and Emotions in Individuals with Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Schizophrenia is characterized by psychiatric symptoms and emotional issues. While pharmacological treatments have limitations, non-pharmacological interventions are essential. Art therapy has the potential to enhance emotional expression, communication, and health; however, the effectiveness of visual art therapy remains uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesizes the findings of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of visual art therapy on positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and emotions in patients with schizophrenia. This study reviews RCTs published prior to February, 2024. The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CEPS, CNKI, Wanfang, and Yiigle databases were searched, and three independent researchers screened the studies. In this meta-analysis, standardized mean difference (SMD) was employed as a measure to calculate effect sizes for continuous variables using a random effects model, while the meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed with patient and intervention characteristics. A total of 31 studies revealed visual art therapy had a significant small-to-moderate effect on positive symptoms (SMD = 0.407, 95% CI 0.233 to 0.581), a moderate effect on negative symptoms (SMD = 0.697, 95% CI 0.514 to 0.880), a moderate effect on depression (SMD = 0.610, 95% CI 0.398 to 0.821), and a large effect on anxiety (SMD = 0.909, 95% CI 0.386 to 1.433). The subgroup analysis revealed painting and handcrafts had significant effects on positive symptoms, negative symptoms, and emotions. Combined Chinese calligraphy and painting had significant effects on positive symptoms, depression, and anxiety. Better improvement was noted among the Asian population, and a longer weekly treatment duration was associated with better improvement in positive symptoms. Female participants tended to have more improvements in negative symptoms and anxiety through visual art therapy. The results indicate that visual art therapy has positive effects on the psychiatric symptoms and emotions of individuals with schizophrenia. We recommend future research further investigate art therapy modalities and durations.

Chinese Calligraphy Education and Contemporary Practice in China’s Higher Education

Contemporary Chinese calligraphy teaching is evolving, blending traditional skills with modern educational concepts. Despite progress, challenges persist in transitioning teaching methods, integrating technology, and advancing students' understanding of contemporary calligraphy. The objective of this study is to conduct a conceptual analysis of Chinese calligraphy education and explore the teaching practices of contemporary Chinese calligraphy. This study utilizes library research methodologies to gather data. The research identified two main themes for the conceptual analysis of calligraphy education, encompassing the importance of Chinese calligraphy education and the Chinese calligraphy curriculum in higher education. In the context of teaching contemporary Chinese calligraphy, four themes were discovered, covering practical skills, basic strokes and characters, integration with technology, cultural significance and understanding, as well as extracurricular activities, exhibitions, and competitions. In the realm of Chinese calligraphy education, this study concludes that the teaching landscape is dynamically evolving, blending traditional artistry with modern pedagogical approaches. It sheds light on challenges in methodology, technology integration, and student comprehension, providing a conceptual analysis. Two overarching themes emerge: the paramount importance of Chinese calligraphy education and the structure of the calligraphy curriculum in higher education. For contemporary calligraphy teaching, four core themes surface, encompassing practical skills, strokes, technology integration, and cultural understanding, as well as extracurricular involvement. This research makes significant contributions to understanding the evolving landscape and provides recommendations to enhance pedagogy, technology integration, and curriculum development for a more enriched learning experience.

Reimagining Chinese Cultural Images: Historical and Contemporary Elements in Smartphone Case Design

This paper explores the historical evolution and contemporary representation of Chinese culture in mobile phone case design. The research aims to deepen our understanding of how traditional Chinese cultural elements are represented in mobile phone case design and how contemporary factors influence these designs. Through a historical review, the research revealed the major cultural elements and design trends of different periods, as well as the influence of historical background on mobile phone case design. The study also provides a detailed analysis of the representation of Chinese cultural elements such as dragons, phoenixes, and Chinese calligraphy in mobile phone case design, along with specific case studies. In the section on contemporary elements and influences, the study discuss the impact of contemporary Chinese social, political, economic, and technological factors on mobile phone case design, as well as how globalization and market demand shape the contemporary designs. The research focus on the ongoing importance of Chinese cultural imagery in mobile phone case design, which not only preserves traditional culture but also reflects the development and global influence of modern China. The significance of this study provide understanding on cultural representation and design trends in China’s mobile phone case design, and future research is recommended to further explore the potential of Chinese cultural elements in the particular product design.

The Meaning Composition of Chinese Calligraphy Sign

The Meaning Composition of Chinese Calligraphy Sign

Exploring the correlation of space creation in Suzhou classical gardens and the Chinese calligraphy Yan Zhenqing’s three manuscripts

ABSTRACT Chinese calligraphy and Suzhou classical gardens exhibit unique and distinctive formal attributes and layout styles. This paper examines the interrelationships from a spatial perspective, using classical gardens such as the Humble Administrators’ Garden, the Lingering Garden, and the Master of Nets Garden, alongside Yan Zhenqing’s Three Manuscripts (颜公三稿), as illustrative examples. From the theoretical stance of “Heterogeneous Homology”, this investigation assesses the comparability between calligraphy and garden design. It highlights the shared spatial features of “Emptiness-Substance” and “Denseness-Sparseness”, analyzing their specific applications within each realm. Furthermore, the “Correspondence and Guidance” is fulfilled to effectively integrate the spatial boundary within their respective domains. The findings reveal profound similarities in spatial construction between calligraphy and garden design, highlighting the traditional Chinese aesthetic pursuits of emptiness, distance, and externality. These findings affirm the ancient Chinese pursuit of the natural philosophical concept of “the unity of nature and human”. Consequently, it is proposed that future design and urban spatial planning should emphasize the application of the spatial techniques and cultural meanings embedded in these arts. This approach aims to provide a multidimensional and detailed interdisciplinary perspective on future research concerning Asian architectural culture and art history.

The Development Status and Trend Analysis of Chinese Calligraphy Education

With the continuous pursuit of material and spiritual civilization, China is attaching increasing importance to enhancing its soft power, especially in transmitting traditional culture. Despite the global reputation of calligraphy as an essential part of traditional Chinese culture, relevant review articles are still lacking. Therefore, it is necessary to systematically analyze the development status and trends of Chinese calligraphy education and apply these factors to improve the quality of Chinese calligraphy education and students' comprehensive quality. Through a comparative analysis of a large amount of Chinese and foreign literature, this study reveals the current situation of the implementation of calligraphy education, points out the main problems existing in the current educational practice, as well as discusses the integration of digital technology in the teaching of calligraphy, the strategy of cross-cultural education, as well as the ways of international exchange and cooperation. The results show that Chinese calligraphy education's quality and global influence can be effectively enhanced by innovating educational models, strengthening teacher training, utilizing modern technology, and enhancing international exchange. This study provides theoretical support and practical guidance for the development of calligraphy education and is of great significance in promoting the inheritance and globalization of traditional Chinese culture.