Asia Education Foundation

Brush Strokes

cover image: Dance Unit: Brush Strokes

In this unit students explore the gestural aspects of line and movement created by Chinese calligraphy. In researching the art of calligraphy, students will investigate the potential of interpreting the brush strokes through whole and isolated body movement, stylistic differences and concepts of energy or chi.

 


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Extension activities

  • Research the various styles of Chinese, Japanese and Korean calligraphy.
  • Explore stylistic differences between different forms of calligraphy eg Arabic and European examples including the Book of Kells. The resource Inspirations: Art Ideas for Primary and Middle Years has teaching materials about Arabic calligraphy. It also features a US-Chinese artist who uses calligraphy in a playful visual arts context.
  • Have students explore concepts of solidity/fluidity, wet /dry through movement.
  • Use a Chinese landscape painting as stimulus for a whole dance.
  • Explore the linear aspects of using a prop such as those used in Chinese ribbon dance.
  • For primary students the Usborne Book of Calligraphy Projects by Fiona Watt & Anna Rowley (Scholastic Inc, 1998) has ideas for uses of calligraphy on objects.