Lu Zhichang, the book binding designer of Collected Works of Tschen Yin Koh, said "My favorite designer is Lu Xun".
As a well-known writer, thinker and revolutionist, Lu Xun is also an artist and designer, but these two titles are relatively ignored by the public. This book, under the general editorship of Zhou Lingfei, Lu Xun's grandson, covers all disciplines of arts Lu Xun involved in before his death, and introduces to us a true Lu Xun, whose art life, outside the world of words, was also very rich and colorful.
We all know that Lu Xun likes wood carving. In the well-known photograph taken at "The Second National Wood Carving Works Exhibition", Lu Xun is smoking a cigarette and smiling to young funs of wood carving art. As a writer who likes to "sit in cemetery of Xiamen" with a "ghostly" atmosphere around him, it is a rare smile before the public in his life.
Lu Xun likes wood carving very much, partly because of his character. The unique powerful strokes on wood block exactly interpret the perseverance of Lu Xun in his road of struggle. Wood block is not a particularly hard thing, but you will feel it is as hard as a stone, if you carve in a “straight” way, just like carving in stone with a graver. Compared to the refined taste of traditional Chinese paper painting, wood carving delivers itself of a fighting spirit and unique character.
Lu Xun was in pursuit of art not only for its economic value and instrumental value. As early as studying in Sanwei Study, Lu Xun had taken the initiative to buy art books, such as Painting Manual of Sea Fairies, Painting Manual of Ancient and Modern Masters, and Painting Manual of Mountain Birds. It can be said that from an early age, art played an important role in Lu Xun's life. Especially in the last twelve years of his life, Lu Xun was closely connected in the art world. And as China's earliest book binding designer, Lu Xun set a model for later designers. PinkClouds, a book of Василий Яковлевич Ерошенко translated by Lu Xun, is a good example. Cloud pattern of stone carving style (Han Dynasty) was used as a cover figure, which clearly reflected his interest in copying monumental inscription in his early age. Lu Xun also likes ancient Chinese stone inscriptions and paintings. At that time, he could afford the expense of these works and expand his personal collection. Among the remains of Lu Xun in Lu Xun Museum, there are 451 wood carving printings, charcoal drawings, traditional Chinese paintings, oil paintings and calligraphic works; 4317 rubbings and 397 art books. The collection has long been locked in the museum, and few people could see it for themselves. Now all of these works are included in the book, thanks to the great efforts of Mr. Zhou Lingfei. It is a blessing that we can have a further understanding of Lu Xun's world from the perspective of art.
The collection has been sealed for more than 70 years, and some works created in the wartime Lu Xun lived in have become quite different with our current habits. But once freed, we still can feel the great beauty existed in these works. The true beauty of arts is exactly reflected in Lu Xun’s collection and art works, which deserve the understanding and appreciation of the public.(By He Xi) |
