The Genesis of Chinese Writing & the Art of Calligraphy: Getting Started

A LibGuide to accompany the Chinese Calligraphy Exhibit on display in November.

NOTE

PLEASE NOTE - Since this guide is about a past art exhibit, it is no longer being updated. If you have any questions please contact Kristine at kkinzer3@cscc.edu.

Produced and presented by the Midwest Institute of International and Intercultural Education and co-sponsored by Community College of the Midwest Institute, The Genesis of Chinese Writing & the Art of Calligraphy is a traveling exhibition dedicated to the art and practice of traditional Chinese calligraphy. The exhibit was created by Dr. SuiWah Chan of Michigan State University and He BingWu of the Academy of Social Sciences in Xian, China. It was on display in the 2nd floor gallery in the Columbus Hall Library from November 7 - November 30, 2016.

Illustration by Sherlann Lewandowski

Lecture

Exhibit creator Dr. SuiWah Chan presented a lecture, "The Genesis of Chinese Writing," on Thursday, November 10. In this lecture, the exhibit images and more were used to lead the audience through the evolution of Chinese writing from its vibrant ancient roots to its continued and ever-adaptive form used today, 3500 years later. Click below to see notes on the lecture.

About the Authors

Dr. SuiWah Chan is Professor Emeritus at the College of Human Medicine at Michigan State University, and an associate of the Confucius Institute and China Mirror Project at the University of Michigan. He is a practicing calligrapher and teaches Chinese writing as part of China Odyssey, a graduate course on Chinese cultural history. He is currently producing new tools, methods and mobile applications for teaching and learning Chinese writing.

He BingWu is a master artist whose work is featured in the exhibit of Chinese calligraphy in this lecture series. He is a Professor and Director of the Institute of Ancient Texts at the Academy of Social Science in Xian, Shaanxi province. his works are widely published in China. His latest publication is The History of Philosophy of Chinese Calligraphy. This calligraphy exhibit is his first in the United States.

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