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Landscape of the Soul Long Question and Answer
By- Nathalie Trouveroy
1. What wonderful tale is told about Wu Daozi? What light does it throw on the Chinese landscape?
Ans. In China, we come across strange tales about art and painting. These reveal the spirit of Chinese art. One such wonderful tale is told about the painter Wu Daozi of the 8th century. He was engaged by the emperor to decorate the palace walls. Daozi worked behind a curtain. He allowed only the emperor to see the landscapes he was painting. The king admired the beautiful trees and mountains drawn by the artist. Then he saw a cave in the painting and asked its meaning. The artist said that a spirit lived in the cave. He clapped his hands and the cave opened. Wu Daoziinvited the king to enter it with him. But the king was left wonderstruck while the artist entered the cave. The Emperor was left behind. The cave door closed and the artist disappeared. As if by magic the whole wall painting also disappeared.
This story conveys the idea that only an artist understands true art, not the rulers. He alone knows the true meaning of his work.
2. How does the author contrast the Chinese view of Art with the Western concept of painting? Which one do you find easy to understand and admire?
Ans. A classical Chinese landscape does not stick very close to reality. It leaves enough scope for the viewer to use his imagination. The painting can be looked at from any angle and from any viewpoint. One need not see it through the eyes of the painter. The scroll on which the artist paints has white, blank spaces left after every painting. It gives freedom to the viewer to travel up and down. It captures the essence of the inner life.
A European or Western painting, on the other hand, is realistic. The painter wants you to look at it exactly as he had seen it. From a particular angle. It creates an illusion of delicate realism. The story of Quinten in the 15th century illustrates this point clearly. He entered a painter’s studio slyly and painted a fly on the artist’s blank canvas. The artist mistook it for a real fly and tried to drive it away. That story is representative of Western painting.
3. Write a note on the concept of Shanshui. How does it illustrate the Daoist view of the universe?
Ans. A Chinese landscape goes beyond the outward appearance of an object. it represents inner life and spirit. This Daoist view of the universe is expressed through the concept of Shanshui.
The word Shanshui literally means ‘mountain water’ or ‘landscape’. Mountain and water are the two complementary poles of the earth. The mountain is Yang, a vertical and warm object reaching out to Heaven. It represents masculine energy. The water is the female aspect of energy. She rests on the earth, damp and cool. Yang is active, Yin is receptive. Both interact to create the world.
4. What are Nek Chand’s unique achievement and gift to the world? How did he get international recognition?
Ans. The India-born and altogether untrained artist Nek Chand developed the concept of ‘outsider art’. He created a paradise using waste material at Chandigarh. He cut and cleared the rocky place and created his dream. This drew the attention of the world. His art is the art of an untrained visionary. It is said to be the art of those who have ‘no right’ to be called artists because they have received no formal training. But sometimes such artists show remarkable talent and insight. Nek Chand’s creation is known as the ‘Rock Garden’.
The Swiss Commission organised a European exhibition in 2005 on Nek Chand’s works of art. It was shown in various other European countries. Thus Nek Chand by virtue of his untutored talent won international recognition.
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