What is the highest state of calligraphy? It is "refinement of elegance and vulgarity". The evidence is? The calligraphy of Wang Xizhi, the sage of calligraphy, looks very good to people who don't know calligraphy, and also likes it to people who know calligraphy. Calligraphers with profound attainments will love it admiringly. This is the so-called "elegance and popular appreciation". Then how did Wang Xizhi express "refinement and appreciation of elegance and vulgarity"? What are its methods and standards of "elegance and vulgar appreciation"? And what impact does it have on the art of calligraphy? Wait for me to come.
"Elegant and Popular Appreciation", as the name suggests, means that both educated and knowledgeable elegant people and uneducated and unlearned lay people can get a beautiful feeling when appreciating calligraphy works of art, so it is called this. Whose works are so capable? Can it meet the needs of different people? And everyone applauded it? Reaching such a high level? Difficulties exist today. I don't know about other calligraphy arts, but I only know one person in calligraphy, and that is Mr. Wang Xizhi, who is called the sage of calligraphy. It is surprising that it is still so "popular" from more than a thousand years ago to today. From a popular perspective, Wang Xizhi's calligraphy should be the most popular among the popular, and has been popular from ancient times to today. What made him reach such a high level of calligraphy art? The author believes that it is "the best appreciation of elegance and vulgarity". There are three reasons: good-looking, layered and timeless, all of which are indispensable.
1. Good-looking.
The best calligraphy is good-looking and "appreciative to both elegance and vulgarity". Calligraphy is a visual art, and a good calligraphy work must first look good. Just like a song, it must first have a good melody and be nice to listen to. Only when it looks good and sounds good can it be appreciated and praised. Just like when watching TV, the first thing is the feeling. If it doesn't sound or look good, you immediately change the channel without thinking about the content behind it. This proves that when you first come into contact, you rely on impressions and feelings. As long as the impression and feeling are good, you can proceed. This may be the most common way of life. Looks good, doesn't look good, sounds good, doesn't sound good, it's that simple, no reason is needed. For example: In life, parents judge their son's academic performance based on his academic performance. This is a rigid indicator and does not require other reasons. Looking at Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, first of all, it is beautiful. Therefore, the influence of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy from the Jin Dynasty to today is unmatched by the great calligraphers of any era. This permanent magnetism, tension, and penetrating power have deeply touched the hearts of people of all dynasties, generations, and levels, and are loved and favored by people. As time goes by and science and technology continue to develop, Wang Xizhi's popularity continues to increase, and it continues to rise. This has to make us think deeply, what makes Wang Xizhi so charming? Has the style remained the same for more than a thousand years? Is it the praise of optimistic and noble people from all dynasties and generations? Or is it the love of the people? From my point of view, there are factors from all aspects, and the key is "good-looking". Just like sugar, it is sweet to everyone who eats it; just like meat, it is delicious to everyone who eats it.
2. Level.
The best calligraphy is layered, divided into inner and outer layers. As the saying goes: "You know how to look at the door, but you don't know how to see the bustle." What we are talking about is the level, the bustle is the surface layer, and the doorway is the inner layer. People at different levels see things differently. Different eras and different cultural backgrounds have different understandings and understandings. For example, when ordinary people look at Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, what they see is the surface layer, which has a well-proportioned structure and smooth lines, like a red dot among green leaves. It is a bright spot that attracts the eye, relying on intuitive feelings. Scholars and calligraphers also look good, but there is an additional layer of looking in. They not only see the outer layer, but more importantly, they see the inner layer and its connotation. Scholars and calligraphers often go to appreciate the reasons for the formation of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, the characteristics of his style, his writing techniques, etc., and are often moved by the wonderfulness of his calligraphy. Just like that delicious candy, users only need to use it and know how sweet it is and how delicious it is; researchers are different. Not only do they know how sweet and delicious it is, but they also need to know why it is sweet. Why is it delicious? Know the molecular structure of sugar, etc. Therefore, in the eyes of calligraphers, Wang Xizhi's calligraphy is superfluous if added, and insufficient if removed. Its shape has reached such rigor, and its artistic conception has reached such depth and breadth that people can't help but be surprised and admired. Wang Xizhi's calligraphy has reached the highest level of unity of exterior and interior, elegance and popular appreciation.
3. Eternity.
The best calligraphy is eternal and is not restricted by time and space. It shines forever like the sun.
Wang Xizhi's calligraphy has been shining on the calligraphy world since the Jin Dynasty. At the same time, it has also created many calligraphers and formed a complete system. For example, Wang Xianzhi, Mi Fu, Zhao Songxue, Dong Qichang, Wang Duo, Liang Tongshu, Bai Jiao, etc. all came from Wang Xizhi's disciples and formed different styles, which greatly enriched Wang Xizhi's calligraphy system and created new highlights.
Wang Xizhi’s calligraphy is eternal. His eternity is due to the discerning eye of Emperor Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty. He discovered Wang Xizhi’s greatness. The whole country collected Wang Xizhi’s calligraphy and compiled it into the "Holy Religion Preface" and left it in the world. Therefore, Li Shimin was also a Bole and made great contributions to the spread of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy. Because of his deep love for Wang Xizhi's calligraphy, he buried his only authentic work "Lanting Preface". The works of Wang Xizhi that have been handed down are all copies, but this does not affect the status of Wang Xizhi's calligraphy at all. On the contrary, it greatly increases the mystery and loveliness.
From the above examples, we can see that beauty is beautiful, and it is beautiful to everyone. It’s not beautiful, no matter what you say, it’s not beautiful either. One day the old leader of our unit suddenly asked me: "The signboard of xxx was written by xx?" (He is a famous modern calligrapher) I said: "Yes." "What's that writing about?" he said seriously and in an unbelievable tone. I didn't know what to say, I just smiled slightly, and it was really difficult for me to explain.
What do ordinary people appreciate? What are the standards? I don’t appreciate it anyway. I once discussed this issue with a calligrapher. I asked: "If the calligraphy competition is like the Singer Grand Prix and allows the public to participate, will it be more fair?" He said: "No, what do they know? "I didn't go on. I think from the calligrapher's point of view, ordinary people don't understand calligraphy, because calligraphy is a profound and profound art, which makes sense. If we look at it from the perspective of the common people, the works are published for people to see, and there is no saying what is not allowed to be seen by the common people. The common people have the right to speak after reading it, and they can say it is good or bad. The common people have their own aesthetic values. For food: good or bad; for things: good or bad, good-looking or not. It’s that simple, no reason is needed. I was thinking, who are you writing for? This is very important. Some people say that I write for themselves to see, some say that I write for connoisseurs to see, and some say that I write for everyone to see. This provides objects for different appreciators. However, once it is published, it belongs to the public, and different voices must be accepted. As long as it is sincere, no matter what it says, it is right. Because the positions and levels are different, the author must show generosity and tolerance at this time. You can listen to the good things, but you can also accept the bad things. Maybe it is the bad things that will be of great help to you.
Why is Wang Xizhi’s calligraphy so good? How to explain this? By writing this article, I found out. True beauty is beautiful to everyone. Furthermore, as a calligrapher, what should we see and learn from Wang Xizhi, and how can we adapt to the needs of the majority of appreciators and achieve the height of "refined and popular appreciation".