FREE ESSAY ON ORIENTAL ART

ORIENTAL ART

Oriental art is very distinct from other parts of the world. In their sculptures they
still used such materials as clay, wood, and bronzes. However there art work promoted
such things as goodness in nature, serenity, graceful balance, spiritual perfection, and
a mystical harmony within themselves. There work avoided confusion, conflict and violent
emotions at all costs. New or unprecedented experiments in their art work was never
welcomed, and the expression of nobility and inner worth where demanded. Ultimately
oriental art was said to be "a way of being", but to understand this you must look at the
words of the great Chinese philosopher Confucius who said "Raise yourself to the
beautiful." However not all Oriental art is the same, and to see the difference and the
influences of their art you need to look at the area's of China, Japan, and Korea.
The Neolithic inhabitants of China were energetic in their pottery, and where the first
to practice this art, in which China has remained supreme in until recent times. Not very
much is known about the earliest Chinese craftsman or the society that produced them,
other than the fact that they lived in pounded earth settlements in northern Honan,
Shangtung, and Kansu. These early craftsman created fine pottery, and especially
beautiful vessels for funerals which where used for food and other provisions for the
dead. These craftsmen where taught to honor the "five rulers" who had taught their
forefathers how to raise silk worms, catch fish, domesticate animals, plow, reap and use
the wheel for transportation and for throwing pottery. The Shang people came into history
half way through the second millennium B.C., these people also lived in pounded earth
settlements, and made funeral vessels. These people established the li which was the
basic metallic shape used in their bronzes. Not only was the li used, but also other
shapes have been discovered. In recent excavations, thousands of different vessels have
been found, however it is possible to distinguish about forty basic shapes of the
vessels. Each vessel served a different purpose in sacrifice or funeral ceremonies. Some
where used for wine and water, some for storing foods, while others where used for
cooking meats. The Shang dynasty have left some sculptures as original and different as
there bronzes. However none of the large statue survived excavations. The importance of
the excavations cannot be overemphasized. Who would have imagined an ancient culture so
rich that they actually created stone sculptures, wheel made pottery, carved jade, and
bronzes, which have never been surpassed.
Too often when people speak of "Oriental art" they think that both China and Japan
developed in the same way and the same time. This statement however is false, and the
Japanese art did not start till several years after Chinese art did. The first forms of
Japanese art can be looked at through the Jomon people, who where nomadic hunters and
fishers. A number of human figurines and fertility gods have been found, also vessels
made by the coiled clay method. The name Jomon, actually means "coiled rope". The figures
made by these people seem to be very imaginative, and possibly inspired by a fear in
supernatural forces. The figures where made to be viewed only from the front, and
although there where simply molded, some did have very elaborate decorations. When
contacts with Asia and China where made, the style of Buddhist art was developed. This
new form inspired sculptors and painters to have totally new viewpoints on their art.
The Korean society was extremely influenced by Chinese culture. This did not stop Korean
artists and craftsman from making their own original and distinct contributions to the
world of art. In an expedition in 1909 many tombs where unearthed. In them they found
mirrors weapons, lacquer objects, pottery, and ritual jades. Most of these items however
where said to be from China and this proved the close contacts between the two countries.
The Great Silla period was the first and most interesting periods of Korean art. Things
that where found during this period of time where openwork metal ornaments, jewelry,
images and pendants, which where meant to word off evil spirits. Pottery was also very
popular during this time period, and some forms of fired gray pottery have been found.
Wars and invasions have destroyed some of the finest works of art during this period. The
most important remains are the ruins of a temple at Pluguk-sa. In this temple all that
remain are stone stairways, balustrade, pagodas, and two bronze sculptures with these you
can only imagine its original beauty.
Oriental art goes far back, it is the first form of sculpture and pottery, and is very
distinct from other parts of the world. However many variations of Oriental art still
exicst such as Chinese, Japanese and Asian.
Bibliography
Chinese & Oriental Art, Michael Betterberry, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Copyright 1968.
The Oriental World, Jeannine Auboyer and Roger Goepper, McGraw-Hill Book Company,
Copyright 1967.
Internet Source, http://www.asianart.com