question_answer 2)

(i) Contrast the Chinese view of art with the European with examples.   (ii) Explain the concept of Shanshui.  

Answer:

 (i) Contrast the Chinese view of art with the European with examples. The Chinese view of art is trying to. achieve the essence of inner life and spirit. E.g., Wu Dazoi's painting, which was commissioned by the emperor Xuanzong, While the emperor could only appreciate its outer brilliance, the artist entered his painting and disappeared along with his painting. This showed that emperor might have ruled his dynasty but the artist knew the ways within. The European view of art is to create illusionistic likeness. E.g., in 15th century a blacksmith had fallen in love with a painter's daughter: The father would not give his consent. The blacksmith entered the painter's studio and painted a fly on his latest panel with such realism that the painter almost swat it away before he realized what had happened. The painter then got his daughter married to him.   (ii) Explain the concept of Shanshui. Shanshui literally means 'mountain water', which when used together represents the word 'landscape'. It reflects Daoist view of the universe which constitutes more than two elements of an image - Yang, the mountain, Yin - the water and the third element - middle void where the interaction of the mountain and water takes place.