Research On Feng Zikai's Art Aesthetic Theory

In the modern history of China, Feng Zikai (1898---1975) is a famous cartoonist, writer and educator. He is a unique idea aestheticians, with the combination of Chinese and Western art, the rich artistic experience, sharp theoretical viewpoints, the broad aesthetic vision and religious feelings of sympathy. He pursuit of " unity in variety " aesthetic ideal, he tried to put together oriental art and Western aesthetic thought, forming a new artistic concepts. In 1930's, the Feng Zikai aesthetic theory is representative of artist aesthetic theories. His aesthtic theory intensely connects with his practice of art. With the further research, his art and aesthetic theory has been recognized and emphasized by many schloars. The Feng Zikai aesthetic theory has incisive view to modern fundamental aesthetics problem, Such as aesthetic essence and function, live and aesthetic relation, aesthetic education, art appreciation of the aesthetic and so on.Considering the specific situation and the problems on the studies about Feng Zikai, this thesis systematically coordinates and expounds his art aesthetic theory, aiming at excavating the ture meaning of his art and aesthetic theories, establishing his status in the aesthetic history of 20th century. Firstly, the special time and cultural background in the 20th century when Feng Zikai lived is introduced. So are the sources of his art aesthetic theories: his combination of Confucian and Buddhist ideas; his acceptance of western theories and understanding them by the perspective of Confucianism. And this makes the basis for the illumination of his theories in the following. Secondly, Feng's art and aesthetic theories are expounded from three perspectives: art essence, art sense and relationship between the subject and object. Feng's thought of art aesthetic essence, the center of which is"truth, kindness and beauty"; his view of art aesthetic sense, pursuing"unity in variety"; and his view on the relationship between the subject and object, advocating"aesthetic insulation"and"aesthetic sympathize". Finally, according to the Feng Zikai's aesthetic view and his art aesthetic education practice, we can expose his aesthetic education practice from two aspects, cultivating the art heart, advocating"life of art"and"art of life", which reveal the depth of Feng's aesthetic theories of art value and art education. Feng's art theory embodies the integration about west modern aesthetic ideology and Chinese tradition aesthetics, which have significance of the transformation for the fusion of Chinese and Western cultures. As an indispensable chapter in the history of aesthetic development, Feng's aesthetic ideology plays an important theoretical value and enriches the connotation of China's modern aesthetic ideas. Feng Zikai think that art is not purely aesthetic significance, but also it is linked with life. He demanded that the principal aesthetic practice and actively create. In life and art practice, He advocated people to find beauty, to create beauty, to appreciate beauty. He stressed that art education should be geared to the general public. He always grasp the essence of art education -- the art of aesthetic education. He opened up a modern Chinese art education in the area of aesthetic education, enrich the connotation of China's modern aesthetic ideas. Meanwhile, His ideas promoted the transformation from traditional ethics to the modern humanistic aesthetic education. However, Feng's aesthetic theory has some obvious limitations, which reflect the metaphysical arts tendency of the problem about art and beauty, the simplistic position to absorb some of the Western culture resources and verification imperfect etc., the reason not only include personal factors, but also the times brand. In a word, Feng's aesthetics theory provides a good reference to the development of contemporary aesthetics.