Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities & Social Sciences / Pictorialism in Contemporary Chinese Photography as a Factor of Cultural Identity (Based on the Materials of the Photo Exhibition “Contemporary China”)

Full text (.pdf)
Issue
Journal of Siberian Federal University. Humanities & Social Sciences. 2025 18 (9)
Authors
Parfentyeva, N.V.; Parfentyev, N. P.; Wang Yundong
Contact information
Parfentyeva, N.V. : South Ural State University Chelyabinsk, Russian Federation; Parfentyev, N. P. : South Ural State University Chelyabinsk, Russian Federation; ; Wang Yundong: South Ural State University Chelyabinsk, Russian Federation
Keywords
contemporary art; fine art photography; pictorialism; pictorial photography; traditional Chinese painting; cultural identity
Abstract

The article reveals the significance of pictorialism in modern Chinese photography as a factor in the formation of cultural identity. The material for the study was the works of outstanding modern Chinese photo artists in this style, which were presented at the exhibition “Contemporary China” held in 2024 at the State Historical Museum of the Southern Urals. Due to their high artistic value, they are able to act as a determining factor in integration during the period of economic modernization and democratization of modern China, in promoting its unique artistic achievements in the world. These modern monochromatic works, filled with unique beauty and harmony, are introduced into scientific circulation for the first time in order to identify in them the traditions of Chinese ink painting and rely on the achievements of the creators of the pictorialism style – the masters of the 20th century Lang Jingshan and Dong Hong-Oai. The authors identify the characteristic features of Chinese pictorialism developed by these masters. A characteristic of traditional Chinese ink painting is given. When analyzing contemporary works of masters, their commitment to the principles of style is revealed, it is emphasized that modern photo artists continue the line of development that goes from ink painting and the achievements of 20th century. Contemporary photographers were able to recreate the originality of ancient Chinese national art at a new level. Thanks to a special artistic language, aesthetic taste and artistic tact, they gave a new semantic depth to the style of Chinese pictorialism. At the exhibition, it was the masters’ works of pictorialism, thanks to their unique artistry, that became the hallmark of national Chinese culture, a factor of its “soft power” in the world space, attracted the greatest attention and became an object of admiration of the Russian public. This direction of art contributes to the formation of the cultural identity of modern Chinese society. In the works of masters, ancient traditions are revived at a new level, and historicity is one of the main components of the very essence of identity

Pages
1813–1824
EDN
EJHUET
Paper at repository of SibFU
https://elib.sfu-kras.ru/handle/2311/157343

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