Square kufic calligraphy is a welldefined style of calligraphic design developed originally for architectural applications and it has a history of at least seven centuries sakkal 2006. Zhuangzis discussion on making all things equalin new english calligraphy. Xu bing an introduction to square word calligraphy inner pages, 2000 woodblock handprinted book and ink rubbings with wood cover. The writing is readable, but is usually extravagant and embellished with flourishes. Xus invented script aims to challenge our ingrained ways of comprehending both chinese and english, demystifying complex chinese characters to nonreaders of. The square word calligraphy system presented on this page and developed by dr. This article will first make a brief description of xu bing, and then analyzing his three most famous works and installations, tian shu book from the sky, square word calligraphy, and di shu book from the ground to explore his art world and his comprehension of the world. Square word calligraphy 2004, he blends the english alphabet with principles of writing chinese calligraphy to create a visual hybrid.
Conceptual artist xu bing speaks about square word calligraphy classroom on exhibit at the wallach gallery, in which he devised a method. Xu bing an introduction to square word calligraphy. Exploring xu bing and his square word calligraphy cctp. Square word calligraphy xu bing studio blog page 2. Jul 21, 20 see gods word glorified in these 16 passages from the gospel of mark, each one beautifully illustrated with stunning calligraphy paired with an insightful meditation. Square word calligraphy caption personalized for you by xu bing. The present lot is a more advanced example of square word calligraphy featuring the word irresistible. The fluid strokes, dots and lines that form each character are its focus. Introduction to square word calligraphy october 8 1998 january 10 1999 introduction to new english calligraphy is the chineseborn artist xu bings most elaborate treatment to date of a traditional expression of his native culture, which he infuses with the rootless, nomadic sensibility found at the core of postmodern, globalist. In square word calligraphy, xu bing has devised a method of writing english words in rectangular arrangements which resemble chinese characters. Mar 6, 2014 an introduction to square word calligraphy by xu bing, born 1955. Square kufic kufi mrabba, sometimes known as bannai masonry script is a particular style of kufic that is going to allow us to create composition using the basic structural forms of the letters. Exploring xu bing and his square word calligraphy cctp 802. Square word calligraphy square word calligraphy, invented and designed by xu bing, is a system that transforms a linear, phonetic system of writing into a character system based on the square.
Since the word occurs twice, i tried writing it two different ways. Xu bing square word calligraphy red line tracing book artsy. English or any language employing the roman alphabet. If you are not prompted automatically to log in, or closed the prompt by accident, you may click here to continue. This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the yale university art gallerys complete or current knowledge about the object. In other respects, though, it is atypical, since it doesnt have a quadrisyllabic capping phrase for the lintel and is not really antithetical in its structure. The best website for free highquality xu bing fonts, with 6 free xu bing fonts for immediate download, and 23 professional xu bing fonts for the best price on the web. Here someone has fashioned a spring couplet from square word english calligraphy.
The content of a calligraphic work, while sometimes inspiring or moving, is usually nothing new. An introduction to square word calligraphy xu, bing on. In the process of deciphering xus text, viewers break down cultural barriers. Xu bing square word calligraphy irresistible, 2005. Square word calligraphy classroom the miriam and ira. Fusing written english and chinese, square words arrange the slightlyaltered letters of an english word into a shape resembling a chinese character.
Xu bing an introduction to square word calligraphy china the met. Spring couplets are typically heptasyllabic, and this one is heptagraphic. In addition to works of traditional chinese calligraphy, the exhibition also includes xu bings introduction to square word calligraphy 19941996, a recent acquisition by the ashmolean. The letters do not follow one another linearly but are fitted together to form a square shape. A video titled elementary squareword calligraphy instruction, was played on a monitor during the exhibition, capturing the audiences attention and inviting them to participate in the class. Text as image in the art of xu bing a multidisciplinary study of xu bings landmark work book from the sky. See gods word glorified in these 16 passages from the gospel of mark, each one beautifully illustrated with stunning calligraphy paired with an insightful meditation.
The book, which consists of four volumes totaling 604 pages. In his more recent work, square word calligraphy, xu bing has devised a method of writing english words in rectangular arrangements which resemble chinese characters. Xu bing, book from the ground up, installation detail. Square word calligraphy yale university art gallery. Introduction to squareword calligraphy 19941996 oxford dictionary.
I am captured by his square word calligraphy, his book from the ground, his phoenix and of course his jawdropping book from the sky. Posts about square word calligraphy written by xubing. A video titled elementary square word calligraphy instruction, is played on a monitor. And i want to focus on his square word calligraphy this time, which proclaimed the possibility of unexpected rewards for those making the effort to communicate across cultures. An introduction to square word new english calligraphy books, 1994. Signed xu bing in the artists unique new english calligraphy script and marked with the artists chinese seal in red ink, lower right. Xu bings tianshu book from the sky is a large installation featuring precisely laid out rows of books and hanging scrolls with written chinese texts. In the early 1990s, xu began to develop a system for writing english called square word calligraphy, which organizes the letters of each english word into. Sep 07, 2011 in square word calligraphy, xu bing has devised a method of writing english words in rectangular arrangements which resemble chinese characters. September 7october 22, 2011 in square word calligraphy, xu bing has. For square word calligraphy, xu bing designs a calligraphic system in which english words come to resemble chinese characters. Learn more about the piece and artist, and its final selling price.
Calligraphy is an artistic writing style where you vary the pressure to create thick and thin lines, all in a single stroke. Spiral and circular spacing guides steve hustings calligraphy. An introduction to square word calligraphy expands on the didactic potential of the new script by offering directions for how to prepare ink, hold a brush, and execute individual brushstrokes. Jun 05, 2014 in addition to works of traditional chinese calligraphy, the exhibition also includes xu bings introduction to square word calligraphy 19941996, a recent acquisition by the ashmolean.
From eslite gallery, xu bing, square word calligraphy red line tracing book 1999, zinc plate relief on paper, staple binding, 39. A code of calligraphic script elements maps to the 26 roman letters and a relatively simple set of rules for the composition of square words allow one to write english using chinese calligraphic principles. Xu bing square word calligraphy classroom book, 2001. He later came up with the square word calligraphy system, which renders english words through chinese brushstrokes. Sep 29, 2015 i am captured by his square word calligraphy, his book from the ground, his phoenix and of course his jawdropping book from the sky. Xu bing an introduction to square word calligraphy china. Square word calligraphy from 1994 onwards bing continued to work with the written word after his move to the usa in 1990. When i got the opportunity to go to shenyang to study chinese for a couple of months it crossed my mind that a visit to his studio would be a good idea. An introduction to square word calligraphy unknown binding january 1, 1994 by bing xu author.
The texts are illegible, however, because all the characters were invented by the artist, exposing the unreliability of the written word as a primary vehicle of communication. Square word calligraphy classroom wallach art gallery. The very first thing i do is write the word or sentence in square characters, without trying to solve anything, just to see what im working with. Square calligraphy classroom mighty optical illusions. From eslite gallery, xu bing, square word calligraphy. Even so, this work challenges our very approach to language because of the unique nature of the text written on the paper.
Tianshu is the title of a book produced by chinese artist xu bing in the style of fine editions from the song and ming dynasties, but filled entirely with meaningless glyphs designed to resemble traditional chinese characters. An introduction to square word calligraphy xu bing chinese, b. But if you squint your eyes and bit and maybe do a bit of. Also includes information and photos about the calligraphers tools used throughout the book. Organized by arizona museum for youth curator jeffory morris, the exhibition will include xu bings square word calligraphy. Square word calligraphy irresistible 2005 ink on paper.
Artwork an introduction to square word calligraphy xu bing. Many early viewers pored over the artwork, obsessively looking for real characters. Conceptual artist xu bing speaks about square word calligraphy classroom on exhibit at the wallach gallery, in which he devised a method of writing english words to. Sep 26, 2011 conceptual artist xu bing speaks about square word calligraphy classroom on exhibit at the wallach gallery, in which he devised a method of writing english words to resemble chinese characters. Artzone, a year long exploration of art and design fundamentals aimed at museum visitors of all ages, will run from august 28th, 2009 until august 2010 at the arizona museum for youth. This is on display at the metropolitan museum of art. There is a code of calligraphic script elements which map to the 26 roman letters, after which relatively simple rules for the composition of the square words allow you to.
From eslite gallery, xu bing, an introduction to square word calligraphy, printed textbook 2000, woodblock handprinted book and ink rubbings with woo. In the early 1990s, xu began to develop a system for writing english called square word calligraphy, which organizes the letters of each english word into structures that resemble chinese characters. Try and figure out the secret word in this brain teaser. A book, composition or any other document, written by hand or manually typewritten, not mechanically reproduced. This is a monograph introducing the square word calligraphy, a form of writing developed by the artist and intended to fuse written english with written chinese. He followed that with square word calligraphy 1994, a system for writing english that looks like brushwritten chinese.
At first glance, square word calligraphy appears to be nothing more unusual than chinese characters, but in fact it is a new way of rendering english words in the format of a square so they resemble chinese characters. After years of preparation, he created square word calligraphy, which he often calls new english calligraphy as he transforms english words nearly beyond recognition in the style of chinese characters. Xu bing square word calligraphy irresistible, 2005 phillips. Book from the sky 1987, xu covers scrolls with an invented language that appears real. Collection search an introduction of square word calligraphy by. The artist i would like to choose for my final project is a chinese contemporary artist xu bing, one of chinas bestknown artist. Like a linguistic breeder, the artist combines chinese calligraphy with english writing to create a new species. Reopened less than a year ago after a major renovation, the ashmolean is englands oldest museum and the worlds first university museum. We had arranged with xu bing to meet at h30 on a saturday. Kelley in 2012 is a new version of the original square word calligraphy system developed in 1994 by the chinese artist, xu bing. Once they were seated at the desks, the audience was instructed to take up their brushes and the lesson in new english calligraphy begins. The winning bidder will receive a personalized calligraphy caption work on paper depicting their name by famed artist xu bing. Combination of calligraphy and geometry the minaret of the royal mosque in ispahan, and the basic module making up its decoration photo by patrick ringgenberg clever design where the black and white spaces both spell allah basic of square kufic one rule.
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