This article has been subjected to double blind peer review

This article has been published in: Ocula 30, Visuality of writing in arts and visual communication

author: Mansu Wang (Department of Design, Politecnico di Milano, IT)

Chu Calligraphy on Bamboo Slips. The Visual Evolution from Seal Script to Clerical Script and Its Artistic Value

language: english

abstract: Since the 1950s, the field of Chinese archaeology has seen significant advancements with the unearthing of Chu Calligraphy on Bamboo Slips, hidden underground for over 2,000 years. These discoveries have provided a wealth of data for studying the development of pre-Qin ink writing and its calligraphic impact. The bamboo slips, as a multi-dimensional cultural artifact, hold substantial academic value in calligraphy and have deeply influenced the calligraphic styles of the Warring States period.
Chu Calligraphy on Bamboo Slips is among the earliest ink-written scripts in Chinese archaeology, showcasing the evolution from Seal Script to Clerical Script, which marked early Chinese calligraphy. The use of specific writing tools and techniques not only set the foundational aesthetics of Chinese calligraphy but also played a critical role in the development of calligraphic styles and the establishment of calligraphy as an independent art form.
This paper analyzes the visual and artistic value of Chu Calligraphy on Bamboo Slips, highlighting its role in linking historical and contemporary Chinese calligraphy and its potential influence on artistic and design fields.

citation information: Mansu Wang, Chu Calligraphy on Bamboo Slips. The Visual Evolution from Seal Script to Clerical Script and Its Artistic Value, "Ocula", vol.25, n.30, pp.87-103, June 2024. DOI: 10.57576/ocula2024-7

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