Unveiling Spatial Dynamics: Wu Hung's Analysis of Erlitou Bronze Jue
Department of Digital Arts and Creative Industries, Lingnan University, Hong Kong 999077, China
| Abstract: | This article explores Wu Hung's spatial-object discourse concerning ancient bronze jue. Wu Hung's emphasis on the interaction between space and art is evident in his work, where he introduces concepts such as liminal space, feminine space, political space, and positional significance. Starting with the bronze jue from Erlitou, the paper delves into its significance in art history. Through an analysis of the jue, Wu Hung presents his unique perspective on space and applies Martin Heidegger's spatial concepts to the study of ancient Chinese artworks. Furthermore, the article discusses Wu Hung's views on the development of bronze art, ranging from the connection between culture and decorative styles to the variations in Shang dynasty bronze styles. Wu Hung extracts Heidegger's aesthetic resources and applies them to the study of spatialization in artworks, examining the functionality and symbolic significance of the jue through an analysis of its internal and external spaces. Lastly, the article explores the impact of Wu Hung's spatial approach on Chinese art history and compares it with the perspectives of other historians. Wu Hung's spatial approach opens up new avenues of research, uncovering the interactive relationship between ancient artworks and space, providing researchers with a deeper understanding of the possibilities inherent in studying ancient artworks. |
| Keywords: | Ancient Chinese Gold; Wu Hung; Erlitou; Bronze Jue; Martin Heidegger; Space |
| DOI: | 10.57237/j.ssrf.2025.03.002 |
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Received: 29 April 2025
Accepted: 18 June 2025
Published Online: 19 July 2025
References
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