Text/Zhang Wei
Photo/Zhang Wei
On April 26, 2024, some teachers and students of the cursive calligraphy class of the University for the Elderly of the Autonomous Region, under the initiative of Cao Lijun, under the careful organization of Zhang Ruifen, and under the leadership of Xu Jianguo, embarked on a research journey with joy, a realistic spirit and a deep study of thought.
At 10 o'clock in the morning, the students arrived at the Xinming Manor at the foot of Helan Mountain, got off the bus, and were full of praise for the appearance design of the manor. The stele in front of the gate is written and engraved by Wu Weishan, president of the China Urban Sculpture Association, vice chairman of the China Artists Association and director of the National Art Museum of China, which is magnificent; On both sides, there is a pair of eight-character couplets that "are the smallest famous mountain in the world, and the first military book in the world", all of which are written in Han Jian, simple and strong, and suddenly pull us into the thinking of history.
There are nearly 100 works in the exhibition hall, which opened the eyes of the students! These works, rooted in tradition, are meticulously created, rich in content, diverse in form and style, covering various calligraphy styles such as Kaixing, grass, and seals, and both fine and meticulous fly-headed small Kai and majestic grass that capture people's souls. Everyone listened attentively to Mr. Xu Jianguo's explanation of calligraphy works, and made a detailed introduction to the source of each work, as well as the overall design, chapter layout, calligraphy and penmanship characteristics of the works, especially the connection between the book and creation, etc., which benefited a lot and felt a lot. The students took out their mobile phones and took pictures of their novel works and their favorite calligraphy works for future study and reference.
This is an in-depth cultural research trip, but also a spiritual baptism, and a better understanding of the close connection between the art of calligraphy and traditional culture. In the process of studying, the students not only listened carefully to the teacher's explanation, but also took the initiative to participate in it and experience the charm of calligraphy in person. Listening to the teacher's explanation of the posture, pen movement skills and structural layout of calligraphy, I felt the artistic beauty of calligraphy. Through witnessing and seeing with their own eyes, the students' calligraphy skills were first enlightened and improved in their ideological cognition. This study trip was a very meaningful activity. The students had a deeper understanding of the charm and cultivation of Chinese culture. In the future, it will definitely have a profound impact on the students' calligraphy skills and humanistic qualities.
In addition to learning calligraphy, the students also communicated and shared with calligraphy lovers at the estate. Everyone learned from each other, learned from each other, and felt the importance of cultural inheritance and exchange. In this study, the students not only increased their knowledge, but also broadened their horizons and gained a deeper knowledge and understanding of the art of calligraphy and traditional culture. This is an after-class exchange and interaction between teachers and students, and it is also an effective practice to expand the "second classroom".
Life is enjoyable, between the mountains and rivers. Ms. Wang Xuling, the owner of the village, introduced the planning and distribution of the manor, the layout of the calligraphy and painting exhibition hall and the provenance of celebrity calligraphy and paintings, and explained to the students the necessity of going out, progressing the hall and opening their eyes, arousing everyone's curiosity and curiosity. Thanks to the teachers for their hard work and the students, for their mutual respect, mutual help and love. This research and opening activity enriched the students' knowledge and experience, improved their enthusiasm for writing and learning, rejuvenated the students' cheerful and happy spirit, and enhanced the friendship between the students. Teachers and students spoke about the harvest of the research trip and expressed their sincere praise. The rich cultural heritage and the poetry of the distance make us have endless aftertaste. In this research activity, the students are learning to be useful, learning in fun, and teaching in fun, sending the most practical and down-to-earth calligraphy information and writing knowledge to our calligraphy lovers.
After a day of study and study, we have increased a lot of knowledge of calligraphy and aesthetics, broadened our horizons, increased our knowledge, and more intuitively understood the development direction of contemporary calligraphy, and also found their own shortcomings and shortcomings, and clarified the direction of future efforts. I look forward to the next opportunity to go out of the classroom, so that the classroom teaching will be "lively", the learning atmosphere will be "thick", the learning content will be "rich", and the students' spiritual culture will be "rich". It is hoped that the University for the Elderly will also be based on the spiritual and cultural needs of the elderly, gradually enrich and improve the curriculum content and teaching form of the University for the Elderly, and promote the development of education for the elderly with high quality.
【Author's profile】Zhang Wei, pen name Xiaofeng, male, from Yanchi County, Ningxia, has served in the army and government departments, likes writing and ink, loves life, cultivates sentiment, and enjoys himself.