| Modernity, the meta-language in the 20th century, comes into being in a contradictive and confusing way. Obscure in its meaning, it is difficult to find a unitary semantic field for it. The important connotations it contains are as follows: a society and individuals advocating rational principles; modern aesthetic symbolized with reflection, criticism and reconstruction; the return of perception and objection to rationality. Therefore, modernity has not only an inner requirement as what J. Habemas refers to as self-proof, but also a regenerated power and possibility by self-questioning and self-criticism. Aesthetic modernity originates from the crisis of modernity, which includes the imbalance between the instrumental rationality and value rationality; the contradiction between the perceptual subject and rational subject. It is really a reflection of mental crisis. Aesthetic modernity, a reflection and product of different aesthetic relations in modern world, refers to the new characteristics of human literature in modern times. It is an aesthetic and artistic value on the complete realization of human power, originally pointing to an aesthetic spirit based on modern desire and developing with times. It pursues individual independence and aesthetic survival. In Chinese literature aesthetic modernity's development and manifestation are hindered both by history and reality. In China and other modern societies, it turns up as a new spirit based on a certain aesthetic content, aesthetic pursuit and aesthetic logic. After 1978 and before 1989, it constructs modern narrative, after that criticizes modern narrative and advocates the return of perception to express modern spirit based on aesthetic pursuit and logic. In aesthetic field, various aesthetic forms interweave with each other, forming a unique phenomenon. From it we can see the culture at the time being and modern aesthetic spirit-----pursuing perfection and a harmonious life. Modern aesthetic spirit finds its expression in aesthetic relations as well as aesthetic desire and value.Aesthetic modernity as a theoretical form comes from aesthetic reflection to modernity's challenge. The basic theoretical task of it is to establish the nature and direction of modern aesthetics and transform the aesthetic desire, creation and experience in modern China into aesthetic meditation and expression. Furthermore, it bases on rationality, perception and natural beauty to explore aesthetic modernity in China and comes to a conclusion: Chinese aesthetics must follow aesthetic modernity so as to realize its transformation in modern time.If we take a Chinese perspective and examine the aesthetic modernity from three major fields such as art, aesthetics and beauty, we can draw a conclusion as follow: artistic practice manifests aesthetic modernity in novelty. That is to say, it constantly absorbs human living experience into its expression to create a new aesthetic cultural system. On the other hand, the contemporary aesthetic modernity holds that aesthetic modernity means aesthetic survival, that is, to keep a close watch on aesthetic effect on human life and spirit's development. But aesthetic modernity must constantly fulfill the tasks mentioned above, reform and construct human mentality so as to promote a healthy development of the spiritual and value system.Although aesthetic modernity is still under completion, it is impossible to find a short-time stop. As a deep value, it distinguishes itself in providing a complete and overall spirit value for aesthetic, forming one part of spirit civilization and helping people in improvement. It also accelerates a harmonious development between an individual and other factors such as society, nature and other human beings. We hope that Chinese literature and culture can fulfill such a task.
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