A Tribute to Gong Li, Part 1

One of the most famous (and influential) Chinese actresses of the past generation is Gong Li.  Her family name is Gong while her personal name is Li.  She was born on December 31, 1965.  Li was the youngest child in a family of five children.  Her father was a college economics professor in Beijing, China, but she was born in Shenyang, Liaoning.  Li's mother was forty years old when she was born and worked a teacher.  Li actually grew up in the city of Jinan, the capital of Shangdong Province. 

Li was not interested in following in her parent's footsteps as professional academics.  Her early passion was lay in the areas of singing, dancing, and acting.  In 1985 she applied to study at China's top music school.  However, she was denied entrance.  Her parents did not approve of her desire to follow this course for a career.  They attempted to influence her to follow a safer, more traditional course of study.  Later in 1985 Li was accepted to the very prestigious Central Academy of Drama in Beijing.  She graduated from this school in 1989.

While she was a student at the Central Academy of Drama, she was discovered by a man named Zhang Yimou.  He would choose Li for the lead role in his ground-breaking Chinese film "Red Sorghum"  in 1987.  This would be his first film as a director.  In this film Li assumed the lead character as a meek bride who becomes a powerful woman when she takes over her husband's winery following his death.  Gong Li has come to embody a new generation of Chinese woman.  She was brought up during ancient tradition but managed to reach out toward feminist values.  Her compelling film work refers to empowerment for women.

Her interesting, naturalistic performances are about different women struggling to overcome feudalism and patriarchy.  This has contributed greatly to the international success of her films.  Li herself has been credited with helping to attract American audiences to the Chinese film industry.  She married Singaporean businessman Ooi Hoe Soeng in 1996.  She became a Singaporean citizen in 2008.  Sadly, on June 28, 2010 it was revealed that Gong Li and her husband had become divorced.  Her dramatic work over the years speaks for itself.  She is a premier Chinese actress with a powerful appeal all over the world!

Harlan Urwiler

For more information, please visit my website at:  http://www.myorientalgallery.com/.

The Classical Within The Modern Decor of China

There were a variety of ancient techniques that laid the foundation for the development of bronze artwork in China.  It should be understood that the manufacturing of a bronze vessel was quite different from the way mere pottery was formed.  Bronze art required a great amount of resources.  One such resource was the movement of skilled craftsmen to do this kind of delicate work.  The extra special and elaborate effort involved in the creation of bronze vessels indicates that these works were meant for ceremonies and rituals, and not for common use.  The modern student today will probably ask, What excatly was their purpose?

In the classification of bronze art this problem of understanding is reflected.  In the classical Chinese texts on the subject they are assigned names including ding, gui, jue, hu, you, and zun.  These records tell us how the bronze vessels were used in the early rituals of China.  In the Zhouli (Rites of Zhou), the ding-tripod is described as a meat offering vessel.  The stemmed dou-bowl was referred to as a vessel for meat sauces and vegetables.  These texts tell us how the vessels "should" be used... not necessarily how they were exactly used.

These facts are relevent examples of why a modern Asian decor should include bronze art on some level.  Bronze art gives a room an authentic and historic look.  It reminds Asian people of the distinguished past now long since vanished.  It is a connection to the timeless.  It is an important link to be appreciated.  A gifted Asian decorator will be able to use bronze in very creative ways!

Harlan Urwiler

For more information, please visit my website at:  http://www.myorientalgallery.com/.

The Bronze Age Revisited

In the western world people do not generally think of bronze sculpture as a fine material to create incredible works of art.  However, when you consider the history of ancient China it is a very different story.  Chinese bronze are of the second and first millenia BC was one of the most incredible discoveries made in the whole scope of world art.  It all began a long, long time ago with the invention of a fascinating new material.  This material was "bronze."  It proved to be a very useful alloy made of copper and tin.  Through the careful mixing and melting of certain ores in different proportions, bronze was carefully created.  It turned out to be more hard, more lasting, and more colorful than anything else.

Today, we are not really a hundred percent sure if the secret of making bronze was brought to China from the West and Central Asia.  It is certainly a possibility that this happened, but it is very difficult to prove from the archeological evidence at hand.  In these regions, the material bronze seems to have appeared earlier than it did in China.  No matter where it originated, the Chinese used bronze differently than in other places.  In the West bronze was used for weapons and production tools.  However, in the Middle Kingdom bronze was employed for rituals and made into elegant vessels.  This fact itself might give the West a very different perspective on the subject of the "Bronze Age!"

Harlan Urwiler

For more information, please visit my website at:  http://www.myorientalgallery.com/.

Rabbit Folklore

It is no secret that Chinese people use many symbols.  These symbols are important.  They represent a variety of aspirations.  Some people have unique and specific goals for their future.  Other people have a sincere desire to make a better life for themselves.  Nearly every one wants to have a prosperous and happy career.  In fact, some of these symbols are reminders of the ancient stories and important events that relate to Chinese history.  Other symbols prompt people to pursue success in business and relationships.

The rich culture of China is more than five thousand years old.  The earliest literature of China is folklore.  Chinese folklores existed even before characters began to be written down!  The tradition of telling and re-telling these folklores was passed from generation to generation.  Long before they were put into written form, many of these old stories became so well known that they earned the status of "proverbs."  Proverbs are simply short saying that teach values.  These proverbs began to be taught in schools!  Consequently, they became part of the culture of China.  Ordinary people often quote them in ordinary conversation or in writing today.

Ancient Chinese people did not understand science the way we do today.  They made up stories to explain the frustrations and troubles of their lives due to harsh natural disasters or weather changes.  Their hope was that with time their lives might change.  Taken as a whole, their stories were beautiful and touching.  The tales nearly all stressed positive ideals.  In the story "Wait Next to the Tree for the Rabbit" the rabbit plays a critical role in teaching the value of diligence and hard work.  So the tiny rabbit symbol even has a place in Chinese folklore!

Harlan Urwiler

For more information, please visit my website at:  http://www.myorientalgallery.com/.

That Very Sweet Chinese Rabbit!

The Chinese Zodiac sign is well known.  After all, 2011 is the Year of the Rabbit.  In case you do not know, the Zodiac symbols describe the qualities of people based on their sign.  The sign is assigned depending on which year you were born.  A person who is born in the Year of the Rabbit is said to be more conservative.  They want security.  The problem for a person with this sign is that always choosing safety over risk sometimes means missing great opportunities.  However, when a rabbit person believes in what they are doing, they can be very serious and determined about pursuing their goal to the end!

Rabbit people are also said to be very sentimental and compassionate toward others.  They are moved by personal problems that a friend might share with them.  In fact, it is easy to make them cry.  When it comes to love affairs, rabbit people are a favorite choice for those seeking deep, intimate love.  Such people are romantic and sweet.  They are faithful, so they never lack potential lovers.  Even so, rabbit people are in great need of trust and tenderness.  They desire to create an intimate and happy atmosphere in the relationship.

The lucky Chinese rabbit has a special meaning for people.  The popular nature of the rabbit has made it a desired symbol in China.  So if you are a rabbit person (or know someone who is) consider this figurine or ornament as an ideal gift.  Any one can enjoy the rabbit.  It does not matter who they are!  Good luck and happy hunting!

Harlan Urwiler

For more information, please feel free to visit my website at:  http://www.myorientalgallery.com/.

Today's Chinese Divorce Culture

The modern Chinese woman has achieved much more than people may have once thought.  She has more freedom and more financial security than the women of her mother's and grandmother's time.  Chinese women travel across the world for employment, even marriage to foreigners, these days.  However, despite the positive effects of the new power women have earned there remain social concerns in China about the rising phenomenom of divorce.  As an example, many Beijing residents will tell you that one of the most costly changes in society is the increase of the instances of divorce.  Accoring to the Beijing Youth Daily, the divorce rate in the Forbidden City rose to 24.4 percent in 1994.  That was more than double the rate four years prior.  The national divorce rate in China is now 10.4 percent.

For women in Beijing, the expanding divorce rate is a reflection of the new freedom and empowerment of the modern time.  It is also evidence that women bring new expectations to marriage.  More than 70 percent of divorces are initiated by women, according to divorce lawyers in China.  The common reason given is that the husband has had an affair with another woman.  In the past, Chinese women may have remained in this type of marriage for a lifetime.  This is not the situation any more.  When a husband cheats, the wife now divorces!

The Asian woman of China is making great strides in many areas today, most of which were totally closed her even one generation ago.  However, along with the greater freedom has come another new challenge.  As the role of Chinese women has changed, so has the nature of human relationships which would include marriage and family.  A woman has to ask herself what kind of marriage she is looking for.  She must understand what her expectations are, and if she will be happy even if her expectations are met.  The modern Asian woman of today has more freedom.  In addition, she also has more responsibility for her own happiness... and that of her family!

Harlan Urwiler

For more information, please feel free to visit my website at:  http://www.myorientalgallery.com/.  

The Westernized Asian Woman

Chinese women today have experienced movement in regard to the rights and privileges of women in society.  This has been particularly true during the latter part of the modern era of communism.  Women have continued to enjoy the political power as they did under Chairman Mao.  However, the women of China also begn to discover the influence of foreign music, movies, and popular western culture.  It has been during this period that Chinese women began to abandon the traditional fashion trends of old China.  They instead started to adopt the newer fashions which were largely imported from the western world. 

During this same period, Chinese women started to acquire new ideas about life and relationships.  These new ideas were never a part of traditional Chinese culture.  These ideas would include having the choice to marry the man of their choice, or to remain a single mom.  In the 1990s a growing number of women began to depart from China in large numbers for higher education and employment in the West.  As result, these women achieved more independence than the women of China had ever had before.  This sort of independence is totally out of harmony with with traditional Chinese society.  Women had to take care of themselves in foreign countries far removed from the land of China.  Not surprising is the fact that women have played an enormous role in the development and success of "Chinatowns" in many western cities.

So the Asian woman of China is poised to enjoy more freedom in relationships, employment, and life than many thought possible.  She is to be commended for the hard work, sacrifice, and determination that it has taken to journey this long and hard road.  It is still the middle of the story about the future of the Asian woman in the western world.  There is more to be written... much more!

Harlan Urwiler

For more information, please visit my website at:  http://www.myorientalgallery.com/.