Earth Healing | The Ecological Aesthetic Implications of Taoism in the Soil Art of Song Chen

by | Jul 27, 2023 | Contemporary Chinese Art, Contemporary Chinese Art

The Aesthetic Implications of the Oneness of Heaven and Humanity as a Foundation for Sensory Experience

In Taoist philosophy, man and nature are an organic whole, with its core idea of the oneness of heaven and humanity. “Nature” in Taoism not only refers to the natural world, but encompasses all things in the universe, including living beings. This means that all things share the same origin and possess spirituality. Humans stand between heaven and earth, and can interact with all things, which in turn can stimulate their emotions and lead to different aesthetic experiences. For Taoists, the highest level of sensory experience is “zhixu ji, shoujing du 致虚极，守静笃” [Achieve the utmost in emptiness and hold steadfast in quietude]. This is the ultimate pursuit of spiritual freedom.

Song Chen, Walking Landscape, Integrated Soil Installation,，220×130×120cm，2019

“Soil is the most fundamental material constituting this world, and it nurtures all things in nature. It signifies the unity of energy and divinity.”

—Song Chen

Walking Landscape uses soil as its material to integrate mountains, rivers, trees, gardens, and the body, embodying a philosophical concept of the integration of self and nature. The upper part of the body is replaced by the landscape, perhaps implying a state of selflessness. The upper half of the body is replaced by landscape, perhaps implying a state operhaps implying a state of selflessness. As this artwork is archived in various spaces at different times, a montage-like effect creates the illusion of this artwork walking between heaven and earth. It remains yet a static object, producing an ecological aesthetic of the combining movement and stillness, “wanwu fu yin er bao yang, chong qi yi wei he 万物负阴而抱阳，冲气以为和” [All things bear shade on their backs and the sun in their arms; By the blending of breath from the sun and shade, equilibrium comes to the world] The emotional state of an object is cleverly demonstrated in this artwork.

Song Chen, Son of the Earth, Soil mixed installation, Diameter 430cm，2019

Another installation artwork by Song Chen, Son of the Earth, also expresses the idea of the oneness of heaven and humanity. The emotional state of the object, through the hands of the creator, becomes concrete. The earthy “Son of the Earth” blurs boundary between human and plant, as if rooted in the universe, like a baby lying in its mother’s womb, demonstrating a symbiotic relationship between human and nature, conveying the meaning of “fu gui yu yinghai 复归于婴孩” [To be a simple child again] as described in Taoism.

The Simple Beauty of Taoism – Return to Nature

For years, Song Chen has used soil as a visual language to re-awaken awe for the earth, bringing people back to our origins. We see in his works a chaotic and simple atmosphere, a dilute, ancient and wild beauty. The material of the soil conveys a sense of desolation, warning people to pay attention to the protection of soil. A constant energetic serves as backbone for the work, carrying hope for people as a source of life.

Song Chen, Earth Calligraphy Series （Ben 本，900 mm x 1400 mm； Se 色，100 mm x 1600 mm； Chen 薼，700 mm x 1200 mm； Chen 尘，100 mm x 1600 mm； Tu 土， 550 mm x 1250 mm）, Mixed Earth Calligraphy Works, 2018

Pu 樸 [simplicity] is the essence of Tao, representing a state of authenticity, simplicity, and originality, like the uncarved wood. However, as we are no longer children and become lost in ourselves due to social constructs, the meaning of pu lies in transcendence, a state of being “brilliantly rich and returning to nature.” The beauty of pu is the beauty of removing falsehoods and restoring everything to its true appearance.

Lao Zi often mentioned pu in the Tao Te Ching, such as in, “The Tao, considered as unchanging, has no name. Though, in its primordial simplicity it may be small,” or, “A wise man lives a natural and simple life,” and “To keep an unpretending simple self,” as well as “The simple infant man in him we hail.” In Chapter 37, Lao Zi explains the important role of pu, “The principle of the universe follows natural laws, without trying to ‘do’ anything. As it follows natural laws, nothing is neglected. If a ruler can follow this principle, then all the things in his nation will take place in a natural way. During the process, if selfishness appears, then the simplicity that has no name must be used to dissolve it.” When all things are self-generated and growing and greed and desire begin to arise, the true simplicity of the Tao can have a stabilizing effect.

Return: Reversion is the Action of Tao and Gentleness is the Function of Tao

The term “reversion” has two meanings: one is to cycle back and forth, and the other is to be opposite or contrary. Here we mainly explore the ecological aesthetic significance of return and softness generated by the concept of reversion through the introduction of Song Chen’s soil-based ecological artworks.

“Tian zhi dao, sun you yu er bu bu zu. Ren zhi dao, ze buran, sun bu zu yi feng you yu 天之道，损有余而补不足。人之道，则不然，损不足以奉有余” [1] [The way of heaven reduces surplus to make up for scarcity. The Way of man reduces scarcity and pays tribute to surplus.) Human beings often behave in ways that deviate from the Tao, whether in relation to self, society, or politics. This is due to excessive desire and self-interest. To achieve a state of harmonious beauty, it is sometimes necessary to take a different approach and go against the norm.

Song Chen, Sanqiang, Hu Juanjia, Earth Healing, XinQiao Art Museum, 2021

The Earth Healing Series initiated by Song Chen uses the form of soil-based ecological ritual to interpret a return to the concept of the oneness of heaven and humanity. The seemingly complicated form transcends itself and becomes a way to evoke simplicity, allowing people to abandon complex thoughts and distractions of the world, connecting with the earth, universe, other people through purest energy, returning within a cycle of ecological wholeness.

宋陈，殇土·土壤婴孩，泥土装置，2019

In the soil installation Sentimental Soil·Soil Baby, Song Chen uses “sick soil” collected over many years to create a dying baby and a lifeless womb. Lao Zi said, “Ren zhi sheng ye rouruan, qi si ye jianjiang. Caomu zhi sheng ye roucui, qi si ye kugao 人之生也柔弱，其死也坚强。草木之生也柔脆，其死也枯槁.” [Human beings are soft and supple when alive, but stiff and straight when dead. The myriad creatures, the grasses, and trees are soft and fragile when alive, but dry and withered when dead.) The soil baby allows us to witness the enormous tension between softness and rigidity, bringing soulful tremors and possibilities for action through silent force.

Song Chen, The exhibition Healing Land, Sick Soil, 2019

References

  • Chen Guying, Annotation, Translation and Introduction of Laozi, Beijing: Zhonghua Book Company, 2017.
  • Zeng Fanren, Introduction to Ecological Aesthetics, Beijing: The Commercial Press, 2010.
  • Zhang Shiying, Between Heaven and Humanity: The Confusion and Choice of Chinese and Western Philosophy, Beijing: People’s Publishing House, 1994.
  • Li Jian, Ecological Implications of Ancient Chinese Aesthetics of Sensibility, Journal of Nanhua University (Social Sciences), 2018.
  • Wang Lulu, On the Ecological Aesthetics of Daoism, Liaoning: Shenyang Normal University, 2015.
  • Lei Yan, Poetically Inhabiting the Earth: A Discussion of the Ecological Aesthetic View of Daoism, Journal of Hubei Institute of Education, 2007.
  • Suzhou True Color Museum, Art Field Experimentation: From Suzhou Vernacular to Suzhou Garden, Song Chen’s Walking Landscape Series. https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/a_uixl5ymjE2ddrOMNyK7A

Images courtesy of the artist

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