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| Asian Cultural Center of Vermont > Links > Article: Learning Chinese, Art and Culture in Brattleboro |
| Learning Chinese Language, Culture and Art in Brattleboro |
| Chinese language and painting and calligraphy are all
related to each other. They are part of a visual, movement-based process
involving inner reflection, concentration, and the channeling of one’s
inner energies. Written Chinese words are composed with strokes of
the brush. Chinese words are also composed of parts that may have
their own independent meaning. For instance, the word for ‘peace’
or ‘safety’ is composed of ‘woman’ under ‘roof.’
The word for ‘person’ looks like a stick figure standing
up. When the arms are spread out in a wide gesture, it represents
the word for ‘big.’ When you write a Chinese word, the
word itself has a balance: the top and bottom and side and inner and
outer parts of the word-picture all interact with each other. Each
stroke that is part of the word-picture has its own balance.
Chinese painting and calligraphy have a particular way for holding the brush, channeling the inner energies and understanding the way the brush moves on the paper. There is no fixing up a brush stroke. Each brush stroke is done and that is it. To use Chinese ink and rice paper is to know how much ink to use, how much water to use, how to use a ‘wet’ brush, and a ‘dry’ brush, knowing the delicacy and strength of the paper surface. It is a tradition in schools in China to do group morning exercises to prime the mind and body. Exercises include calisthenics, eye exercises, self-acupressure, and martial arts. All of these exercises help to channel the inner energy, relieve stress, and strengthen focus. Painting and calligraphy, like exercise, are valuable ways to learn through movement. Cai Xi Silver, (the first two names pronounced “Tsai Shee”) is an established artist who is currently showing her paintings in Vermont, New York and Florida. She has been teaching for more than twenty years and giving Chinese cultural performances for more than ten years. Her performances, workshops and classes instruct children and adults in Chinese language and art and include demonstrations of calligraphy, painting, drawing, Taiji martial arts, and other movement-based forms. Her goal is to bring art with Chinese language and culture to children and adults. Besides teaching school groups, adult groups, home schoolers, and after school groups, she also teaches a class for parents and their pre-schoolers. Questions about Cai’s classes and workshops can be directed to her at (802) 257-7898 (then press 1) or acc.vt@verizon.net. |
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