Asian Art Museum of San Francisco - Calligraphy

[Zoey McKinney]

            One of the most interesting forms of Asian art to me is calligraphy. In the west, calligraphy is simply a good-looking form of writing, but in East Asian cultures, it is a staple of their visual culture and held in very high regard. In looking for resources about Chinese calligraphy, I found the website of the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. Their page on calligraphy can be found here: http://education.asianart.org/explore-resources/background-information/introduction-chinese-calligraphy

            This page gives background information on Chinese calligraphy that will help students place the art form in the proper context and give them a basis on which to build their knowledge. It briefly presents its historical significance, then discusses the visual principles that can be seen in works of calligraphy. The page also explains the five main styles of script. This information is brief, making it possible for students to read it themselves.

            The page also includes many helpful links that a teacher interested in calligraphy will appreciate. There are two videos on decoding and appreciating Chinese calligraphy, which will engage students and show them real life practice of the art. There are other pages with background information, including information on the four treasures of calligraphy, and links to many pieces of art that include calligraphy examples. There are also links to activities that can be done in class, such as creating a scholar’s scroll or painting in the style of Chinese ink paintings. Several PDFs can also be downloaded from this page, which give more examples of the strokes, characters, and techniques that students of calligraphy need to learn.

            From this page, you can click on Explore Resources and search the museum’s website to find videos, activities, and background information on many topics. There are also online activities under the “For Students” tab, including a brushpainting simulator. Teachers in the Bay Area might also be interested in the opportunities listed under “Professional Development” and “School Programs.” In summary, this page gives great resources for anyone interested in teaching about calligraphy, and can lead to many other resources on a wide range of topics.

 

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