Chinese Journal of Literary Criticism

No.1, 2023 

Structural Analysis of Artistic Conception Based on Jingceng Concept: Re-Approaching Zong Baihua’s Theory of Artistic Conception

(Abstract)

Wang Huaiyi

Zong Baihua divides the artistic conception into three levels: “imitation of intuitive feelings,” “delivery of proactive life,” and “revelation of the highest spiritual realm.” These three levels function independently while connecting with each other. They explore further by each level, paving the way for the reciprocal development of subjectivity and spirit of art life. In the early stage, Zong mainly drew from Goethe’s thought on imitation of nature, and later transformed, supplemented and developed the former with ancient Chinese painting aesthetics. Highlighting the structural characteristics of artistic conception, i.e., distinct feature of space, the jingceng concept serves as the intermediary for Zong to bridge Chinese and Western art and therefore establish a form of worldwide aesthetic.