Ancient Wisdom: Environmental Deterioration and East Asian Nature Art Reconsidered

초록

Since the late twentieth century in the United States, pictorial description of nature has attracted a great attention both in literature and art. This interest in nature in these fields are reaction to the ever worsening practice of environmental destruction and has a clear purpose of raising environmental awareness. The reviving of the traditional role of arts as a means of instruction is suggestive to the contemporary East Asian culture. This culture not only has enjoyed a rich and long tradition of nature-friendly culture and nature art, but it is currently suffering from environmental deterioration in its relentless pursuit of industrialization and capitalism. Unlike the United States, East Asian culture, however, hasn't given attention to its nature art from the context of current environmental problems. If we believe in what Thomas Cole remarks, "The importance of cultivating a taste for a scenery will not be forgotten," the contemporary East Asian culture needs to heed on its rich tradition of nature-friendly art. This genre will certainly contribute itself to its contemporary society as ancient wisdom for current environmental problems.

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