A Study Of Xu Fuguan's Artistic Theory

Xu Fuguan's artistic theory and entirely aesthetic ideology is implied in his research of Chinese ideological history of art.So,if we want to really grasp the unified artistic theory of him,we need to found out the constant expression of his artistic theory which has a system from his research of Chinese ideological history of art by the method of "Reminisced experiences"(追体验) which be used to himself.And the establishment of his artistic theory with a system is benefited from the study of the Zhuangzi's theory of human nature which is carry out under the horizon of Chinese theory of human nature especially Confucian.The study had given him an opportunity for practical and theoretical which to explore the origin of Chinese art.On this foundation,Xu Fuguan began to explore the origin of art,and believed the origin is the spirit of art and the heart of "Xinzhai"(心斋) which is the subject of the spirit.In fact,the heart of "Xinzhai",which is come out from his experience to Zhuangzi, can only lead the men to the pure aesthetic viewing and awake the men's aesthetic consciousness.If the heart which is the origin of art wanted to make the objective existence of art,it must put itself into the heart of "Qingxing"(情性).There must use the "Qi"(气) to make a contact between the heart and spirit to the objective existence of art.Be the physiological function of comprehensive,the "Qi" make the works of art receive the vitality by taken the spirit of art to the works,on the other hand,it is make the spirit of art choose a material way of externalization and according the characteristic of material medium to form different types of art by taken the material medium which is the foundation of art to the spirit.From Xu Fuguan's theory of artistic origin,the existence and significance of art depend on the spiritual life which comes from subject of artistic creation.So the value of art can only be found out in the place of the origin of art.According to this reason,Xu Fuguan believe that the artistic quality is totally dependent on the moral standing of artist and the value of art to appreciator depend on the appreciator feel the noble heart of artist and influence own heart by artistic appreciation.It is all of meanings that Xu Fuguan insisted on "arts for life" in the theory of artistic value.Moreover,Xu Fuguan keeps a negative attitude toward the relationship of Buddhism and the spirit of Chinese art,and keeps a critical attitude toward the evaluation of modern art.These are extremely controversial questions.So,we also need to evaluate these questions and discussion after grasped his artistic theory from the view of the origin, occurrence and value of art.