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In celebration of the Year of the Serpent and fostering cross-cultural dialogue, Professor Zhiyuan Cong, Director of the Center for Chinese Art at William Paterson University, recently led a Lunar New Year cultural immersion at Edison Public Library, New Jersey. The event captivated dozens of attendees with its profound exploration of Eastern artistic traditions.
Structured as a 90 minutes cultural journey titled "Tracing Millennia, Writing the Future," Professor Cong's workshop blended scholarly discourse with live artistry. The session commenced with an illuminating lecture on the 3,000-year evolution of Chinese calligraphy, charting its development from oracle bone scripts to modern cursive styles, while weaving in anecdotes about master calligraphers like Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi. Attendees gained rare insights into the "Four Treasures of the Study" (brush, inkstick, paper, and inkstone), with Professor Cong noting: "The term 'brush' inadequately conveys the Chinese毛笔's unique conical tip and resilience—a cultural nuance lost in translation, yet we retain the term for accessibility."
The theoretical foundation culminated in a breathtaking live demonstration. Inspired by the chromatic aesthetics of the Chinese dance drama "The Journey of a Legendary Landscape Painting" (staged in New York), Professor Cong created a contemporary landscape painting using vibrant mineral pigments of azurite and malachite. He then inscribed "和平" (Peace) in Han Dynasty clerical script, his brushstrokes echoing ancient wisdom while resonating with modern aspirations. The audience erupted in sustained applause as the final masterpiece emerged.
"Calligraphy is not merely art—it's the DNA of Chinese civilization," stated Professor Cong. "Just as the characters for 'peace' embody Eastern philosophy, our Center strives to be a cultural interpreter, helping global audiences decipher China's artistic lexicon."
Caroline Aversano, Programs Supervisor at Edison Public Library, emphasized: "Lunar New Year has become a golden thread weaving our multicultural tapestry. Collaborations with institutions like WPUNJ allow us to present cultural narratives with scholarly depth—a treasure for our globalized community."
As a pivotal institution promoting Chinese art in the Greater New York area, the Center for Chinese Art at William Paterson University continues to curate lectures and interactive programs. For event details and future initiatives, contact (973) 720-2799, email ccart@wpunj.edu, or visit www.wpunj.edu/ccart
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