Looking Back as I Step Forward to Explore an Ancient Land

As I prepare to embark on an incredible journey to China, my mind begins to fill with images of sprawling boundless landscapes, a rich history of dynasties, treasured structures, and an excitement of exchanging ideas and cultures with a new family and friends, while trying to master the Chinese Language.  I have been thinking about my exchange trip for more than a year now, engaging in dialogue, glancing at beautiful art history books and even visiting museums as I anticipate this adventure of a lifetime. As I finish packing my suitcase, I take a moment to reflect, as I set out to travel to this inspiring civilization.

                                           

China’s rich history of dynastic families has always gave it its rightful place on the world stage. With the rise and fall of the Qin, Shang and Han Dynasties, China slowly transitioned from a small group of clashing kingdoms to one large sprawling empire. Great levels of intellect through art and poetry started to emerge during this time period, and presently many primary documents are still viewable. As the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties rose and fell starting in the thirteenth century, more poetic and tapestry art was created. Inventions like the compass, gunpowder and movable type, all developed during Chinese dynasties and changed the way we look at our world today. Finally, the treasured structures, including the Ming and Qing imperial palace, known as the Forbidden City, Qin Shi Huangdi’s tomb in Xian, guarded by an army of 6,000 terracotta soldiers, and the Great Wall of China, also constructed during Qin’s control of China, are ancient relics that I await with excitement, zeal and admiration. I know these ancient marvels will forever resonate in my heart.  

As a prelude to my trip to China, I also decided to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art to view a historical collection of natural landscapes, a timeless ancient art form of the Chinese culture.  The exhibit, Streams and Mountains without End: Landscape Traditions of China showcased galleries of traditional Chinese landscapes of mountains, trees and streams; many displayed on hanging and hand rolled silk scrolls skillfully and brilliantly painted with colored ink. The focus of this exhibit, organized thematically, revolves around a single question posed by landscape painter Guo Xi, 2,000 years ago.” In what does a gentleman’s love of landscape consist?” The essence of the exhibit is reflected in the “communication” of nature through Chinese landscape, often evoking different emotions and meanings that the artist intended. From generation to generation, Chinese artists were inspired by the vast natural landscape which played an important role in the shaping of Chinese mind and character.

Finally and perhaps most importantly is the contribution and impact of the Chinese language. Language, its characters, both written and spoken, has provided me with a gateway to embrace ancient history, culture and conversation. Beginning at age eight at a Saturday cultural center, to a language over lunch session in elementary school and finally Chinese II and III with 宋老师 provided me with the tools and a framework to learn this earliest form of written language dating back 5,000 years.  She introduced me to brush strokes and characters, through pictures and stories, to the tonal language, differentiating meaning and emotion and finally the writing of the language which is an beautiful art form and pivotal part of Chinese culture. 宋老师 also intertwined her instruction of Chinese with symbolic Tang Poetry, in-class performances, and holiday observances. Her guidance, encouragement, teachings and preparation will accompany me as I embark on this journey to China.  I look forward to expanding my language, exchanging ideas and cultures and bringing back stories, new friends and wonderful experiences.    

 

Some of the information and photos in this article came from the following sources:

Adams, Rebecca. “The 10 Best Restaurants in Guilin, China.” Culture Trip, 9 Feb. 2017, theculturetrip.com/asia/china/articles/the-10-best-restaurants-in-guilin/. Accessed 19 Oct. 2017.

Cotter, Holland. “Chinese Landscapes at the Met: If Those Mountains Could Talk.” The New York Times [New York], 13 Sept. 2017. The New York Times, www.nytimes.com/2017/09/13/arts/design/chinese-landscapes-at-the-met-if-those-mountains-could-talk.html?_r=0. Accessed 19 Oct. 2017.

“11 Fun Facts about the Great Wall.” Raddison Blu Blog, Radisson Blu, 8 June 2016, blog.radissonblu.com/11-fun-facts-about-the-great-wall/. Accessed 19 Oct. 2017.

Kaylan, Melik. “‘Streams and Mountains without End: Landscape Traditions of China’ Review: A Genre Flows through History.” The Wall Street Journal [New York], 8 Sept. 2017. The Wall Street Journal, www.wsj.com/articles/streams-and-mountains-without-end-landscape-traditions-of-china-review-a-genre-flows-through-history-1504908016. Accessed 19 Oct. 2017.

“Streams and Mountains without End: Landscape Traditions of China.” Metropolitan Museum of Art, www.metmuseum.org/exhibitions/listings/2017/streams-and-mountains. Accessed 19 Oct. 2017.

Wang, Yang. “Introduction to Chinese Characters: Year of China.” Brown University, www.brown.edu/about/administration/international-affairs/year-of-china/language-and-cultural-resources/introduction-chinese-characters/introduction-chinese-characters. Accessed 19 Oct. 2017.

There are 11 comments

  1. Nicholas Yum

    Great work, Matthew! I hope you enjoy your trip to China! Experiencing Chinese history firsthand is unbelievable. There is really nothing like it! Have fun!

  2. Logan C

    Great article Matthew! I hope you enjoy your trip to China and it was great learning about your Chinese cultural experience before your great journey.

  3. Ashley Silverstein

    This is great! I hope you have a great trip and experience new things you never get to do anywhere else!!

  4. Serene L.

    Amazing adventure you had! It sounds a lot of fun and so many interesting things I never heard of which makes it astonishing.

  5. Alynah Ratansi

    I hope you enjoyed your trip to China! Experiencing Chinese’s rich history firsthand must’ve been an unforgettable experience.

  6. Emily Kweit

    Good article! I like how you emphasized the importance of learning about a culture before you go to that country.

  7. Maya Yu

    Great article, Matthew! I learned a lot about China’s history. I love how you emphasized how important it is to research and find new information on a different country’s culture. Keep up the great work!

Comments are closed.