A Discussion On The Inhetitance And Changes In Modern Chinese Woodblock Print Language

Woodblock print, a derivative of printing, begins in China. From Tangand Song to Ming and Qing dynasties, from initial illusions in book to the New Yearwoodblock paintings in Ming and Qing dynasties, from the “New WoodblockMovement” launched by Mr. Lu Xun in last century to today, woodblock print in Chinadevelops with the Chinese history in its unique appearance and plays a specific role inthe history at a specific period as a witness of ups and downs in past years. Along withthe rapid development of economy and culture in China, domestic art forms are moreand more affected on worldwide arts in an extensive way, meanwhile, With theemerging of new materials and media, new art forms are born and such changes alter thedevelopment direction of art forms, most of which have changed qualitatively comparedwith the past. Expression of weakening ideology in artworks, representation of people’sinner heart in social moral evaluation and criticism turn to the visuality of arts. All thoseembodiments are showed in woodblock art，especially in the form language world ofwoodblock. Woodblock print, since its birth, has been here for more than1,000years asthe essence of traditional Chinese culture. However, modern woodblock print is makinginnovation in its artistic language as a new visual art form, such as the silk screenprinting which shall be a good example. Compared with silk screen printing and oilpainting, modern woodblock print is unfledged with some development space. Fromconcretization to abstraction, from simulation to creation, from service to a pure artisticexpression, to presentation in normal forms and creative thoughts, all are changingsignificantly. Such immeasurable changes in artistic forms and such new developmenttrends will be expressed in the form painting language of woodblock print. Meanwhile,conception and innovation of modern woodblock print have provided a fertilized landfor creation. In this paper, a discussion on the traditions and changes in modern Chinesewoodblock print language have been carefully analyzed and discussed, researches donebased on its development, and analysis and summarization of the historical significanceof traditional woodblock print achieved, modern Chinese woodblock print recognizedand the importance of “ideology” reconsidered. By the study, values of woodblock print have been identified in order to express the willingness of artists in an accurate andprecise way by different forms and media, so as to present a new appearance of modernChinese woodblock print in front of appreciators and confirm the specialty ofwoodblock language and its roles in modern arts.