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Art and Architecture in China
Home » China » China People and Culture » Art and Architecture in ChinaChinese art varies greatly and is categorized by the dynasty under which it was created. Porcelain was introduced in early Imperial China. The process was refined to the point that high-quality porcelain became synonymous with the English word “China.” In the Sui and Tang dynasty, there was an abundance of Buddhist architecture and sculpture. The Tang Dynasty is considered to be the “Golden Age” of Chinese poetry.
Another important aspect of Chinese art is their contribution to the cinema and the opera. Hong Kong has been a center for filmmaking for many years. Many of the films made center around martial arts, organized crime, or other Chinese themes. These films appeal not only to the Hong Kong market, but also to viewers around the world, namely in the United States. Films made in China have been popular as of late, with titles such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and House of Flying Daggers. Chinese opera began in the Tang dynasty with the “Pear Garden,” the first opera troupe in China. Operatic professionals to this day are referred to as “Disciples of the Pear Garden”.
Architecture has long been an important part of Chinese culture. Examples of this architecture are still standing from over 2,000 years ago. The architecture all has some common features, regardless of the region or use. The most important of these features is the emphasis on the horizontal. Chinese architecture places importance on the width of the building, rather than the height and depth as in Western culture. Another important feature is symmetry. This gives a sense of grandeur to Chinese architecture and is used in everything from farmhouses to palaces. Feng shui designed architecture is another important feature.
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