[Explanation] In 2017, the bronze statue of "Confucius" was erected in the Civic Center Square of Curitiba, Brazil, thus, the square was named China Square; Qi Baishi was unveiled at the Italian (Florence) Academy of Art. The first director of the academy was the sculpture master Michelangelo; in September 2021, the sculpture "The Encounter of God - Confucius and Socrates" stands in the ancient city of Athens, Greece collection of ruins...
Wu Weishan, a famous sculptor who is currently the director of the National Art Museum of China and the vice chairman of the China Artists Association, has created more than 600 statues in the past 30 years, standing on the earth in the east and the west.
How to integrate the art of sculpture with the spirit of Chinese aesthetics and tell the story of China to the world?
A few days ago, Wu Weishan accepted an exclusive interview with China News Agency's "East and West Questions".
【Subtitle】What do you hope to express through the sculptures "Da Vinci and Qi Baishi"?
[Concurrent] Director of the National Art Museum of China, Vice Chairman of the China Artists Association, and famous sculptor Wu Weishan
I once went to Venice, Italy. More than ten years ago, when it was raining and hazy, I sat on a Venice cruise ship and had a whim, if Qi Baishi came, or if we boarded one of Da Vinci's boats, we would listen to him on the boat. Tell me, what will it be like?
If it was said that after Qi Baishi came, both of them wore robes, what would they talk about?
(This work) Da Vinci pointed to the sky, emphasizing the light of heaven, emphasizing science, and emphasizing the laws of nature.
Qi Baishi has been holding a cane, ground to the sky, searching between heaven and earth, looking for the harmonious relationship between man and sky. These two sculptures represent the differences between Eastern and Western cultures, and also reflect their the same.
Because it is also on the Silk Road, this dialogue transcends time and space.
[Subtitles] How to see the cultural differences reflected by the similarities and differences between Eastern and Western sculpture styles?
[Concurrent] Director of the National Art Museum of China, Vice Chairman of the China Artists Association, and famous sculptor Wu Weishan
Generally speaking, Chinese oriental art is a kind of imagery, a kind of freehand brushwork, and it takes meaning as the starting point to shape this artistic image.
And the Western sculptures like David, I stand there (appreciate), Michelangelo's creations (as if) to liberate life from stone, this strong sense of humanism.
Chinese art has established its own spiritual monument in a vast and boundless universe and spiritual world between heaven, earth and human beings, and created a unique sculpture art style, there is no doubt about this.
[Subtitles] How do you absorb the spirit of Chinese and Western culture at the same time "for my use"?
[Concurrent] Director of the National Art Museum of China, Vice Chairman of the China Artists Association, and famous sculptor Wu Weishan
I propose freehand sculpture. The "meaning" of freehand sculpture is the "meaning" of Chinese culture. In order to achieve the completeness of form and spirit, it must combine Chinese philosophy, Chinese literature, Chinese history and plastic arts, calligraphy, painting, Sculpture and other images are integrated into the art of sculpture.
It is not only the East, it also absorbs Western realism and the establishment of new styles of art in the visual art revolution of modern art creation in the West since the 20th century. A cultural concept that is inclusive in a broad sense.
Fully reflect our cultural self-confidence, and this self-confidence is a tension from the inside out.
[Subtitles] From the perspective of spreading "beauty", how do you view the exchanges between Eastern and Western civilizations?
[Concurrent] Director of the National Art Museum of China, Vice Chairman of the China Artists Association, and famous sculptor Wu Weishan
I think the spread of Eastern and Western civilization through beauty is actually through art, especially those classic works of art. Its rich cultural content is actually the memory of a nation and an era.
Therefore, when Chinese culture goes out, the dissemination of art is a very important method, and the channels for the dissemination of art should be unobstructed.
Therefore, the National Art Museum of China established the Silk Road International Art Museum Alliance and the BRICS National Art Museum Alliance. In these two alliances, we continue to strengthen our connections with countries around the world.
Artists should integrate life and emotion into the great cultural torrent of the nation. Only when we speak to the world can we have confidence, strength, tension, and influence.
Reporter Ying Ni Wang Shibo Li Shuoxing reported in Beijing
Responsible editor: [Li Ji]