Class 11 English Chapter 4 Landscape of the soul (HORNBILL PROSE)

Landscape of The Soul

(Textbook Exercise)

Understanding the Text

Q. 1. (i) Contrast the Chinese view of art with the European view with examples.

Ans. The Chinese view of art is quite different from the European view of art both in content and concept. A classical Chinese landscape is not meant to reproduce an actual view of the physical world. The painter expects active participation of the viewer. The participation of the viewer should be both physical and mental. The Chinese painter does not expect his viewer to borrow his eyes to appreciate his painting. In stead he wants the viewer to devote his mind and soul. The artist shows the way to the mysterious inner world. A Chinese landscape is an inner one, a spiritual and conceptual space.

On the other hand European art is based on hard realism. The European painter simply reproduces in his painting the outer appearance of the objects as he sees it. He wants the viewer of his creation to borrow his eyes so that it could be properly appreciated. He presents the picture of a landscape as he sees it. He does not explore the inner aspects of the things as has been done by the Chinese painter. The Chinese landscape is symbolic representation of the reality. Contrary to it a European painting is a figurative one.

(ii) Explain the concept of Shanshui.

Ans. In the Chinese painting the landscape is an inner one a spiritual and a conceptual space. This concept is called shanshui. Shanshui literally means “mountain-water’ Mountain and water together represent the word landscape. They are not more images of two elements. They represent two complimentary poles reflecting the Daoist view of the universe. The mountain is Yang. It stands vertically towards heaven. It is stable, warm and dry in the sun. Yin is water. It stays horizontally resting on the earth, fluid, moist and cool. Yin represents the feminine force and “Yang’ the masculine force of the universe. The interaction of Yin and Yang is the fundamental idea of daoism. In this respect the middle void is also important. The interaction of Yin and Yang take place in the middle void. Nothing can happen without it. This can be compared with pranayama in yogic practice. It is a system of breath in suspension of breath and breath out. The white unpainted space in Chinese landscape is significant of the middle void.

Q. 2. (i) What do you understand by the terms ‘autsider art’ and ‘art brut’ or ‘raw art’?

Ans. Jean Dubuffet, the French Painter mooted the concept of ‘art brut or ‘raw art’ in the 1940s. It was the art of the untrained visionary. This genre or form of art is described as the art of those who have no right to be artists as they have no formal training but show talent and artistic insight. Their artistic creations are a stimulating contrast to a lot of mainstream offerings.

The notion of ‘art brut’ or ‘raw art’ was of works that were in their raw state Anything, however small or insignificant it may be could be the material for a work of art. It may be a tin, a sink or a broken car, Nek Chand of India has taken this form of art to a great-height. 

(ii) Who was the ‘untutored genius who created a paradise’ and what is the nature of his contribution to art?

Ans. Nek Chand of India is the ‘untutored genius’ referred to here. He had created a paradise, the rock garden at Chandigarh. His raw materials were stone and recycled things. He is an expert in ‘sculpted art’ He used recycled material to create the rock garden at Chandigarh. He used most insignificant objects like a tin or a sink or such other things. Nek Chand has taken this form to a great height. The Swiss commission for UNESCO honoured him holding a five months long interactive show. Realms of Nek Chand Nek Chand’s happiness lies in the fact that people enjoy his creation.

Additional Questions and Answers:

Very Short Type Questions and Answer:

Q.1. Who was Wu Daozi?

Ans. Wu Daozi was a Chinese painter of the eighth century.

Q. 2. What was Wu Daozis’ last painting?

Ans. Wu Daozi’s last painting was a landscape.

Q. 3. Who commissioned the last painting of Wu Daozi?

Ans. Emperor Xuan zong of Tang dynasty commissioned the last paint- ing of Daozi.

Q. 4. What did the Emperor discover in Wu Daozis last painting?

Ans. In Wu Daozis last painting the Emperor discovered forests, high mountains, waterfalls, clouds floating in the vast sky, men on hilly path and birds in flight. 

Q. 5. What happened to the painter Wu Daozi at last?

Ans. Wu Daozi clapped his hands. The entrance of the cave opened. Wu Daozi entered the cave. Then he along with the painting vanished. 

Q. 6. How was Daozi’s last painting kept and where was it kept?

Ans. The last painting of Daozi was kept under a veil so that none but the emperor could see it. It was kept on a wall as a decorative piece

Q. 7. Why would not the painter draw the eye of the dragon he had painted?

Ans. The painter would not draw the eye of the dragon because he feared that it would fly away from the painting.

Q. 8. Who was Quinten Metsys?

Ans. Quinten Metsys was a black smith who later became a famous painter of his age. 

Q. 9. What does the word ‘Dao’ mean?

Ans. ‘Dao’ means both path or the method and the mysterious works of the universe. 

Q. 10. What does ‘Shanshui’ literally mean?

Ans. Shanshui literally means mountain-water which collectively represent the word ‘landscape”.

Q. 11. What does the writer mean by the term ‘the eye of the landscape’? 

Ans. Man is the eye of the landscape” He is the conduit of communication between Heaven and Earth.

Q.12. Who is Jean Dubuffet?

Ans. Jean Dubuffet is a French painter. 

Q.13. What is meant by art brut’?

Ans. ‘Art brut’ was mooted by the French painter Jean Dubuffet. It is the art of the untrained visionary.

Q. 14. ‘An untutored genius was creating paradise.”

Who is the untutored genius?

Ans. Nek Chand is the untutored genius.

Q. 15. What is ‘Raw Vision’?

Ans. Raw Vision is a UK based magazine. It is a pioneer in out sider art publication.

Short Type Questions Answer:

Q. 1. Who is Wu Daozi? What was his last painting about?

Ans. Wu Daozi was a famous Chinese painter of eighth century. His last painting was a landscape depicting wonderful scene. The painting showed forests, high mountains, waterfalls, clouds floating in an immense sky, men on hilly paths and birds in flight. There was also an image of a cave in it. 

Q. 2. Write a brief note on the last painting of Wu Daozi.

Ans. Wu Daozi’s last painting was commissioned by the Chinese Emperor Xuanzong to decorate his palace wall. The painting was kept hidden under a veil, so that only the Emperor could see it. It depicted the images of various natural objects. The was highly satisfied with the wonderful scenery. The painter showed the Emperor a cave and told that there lived a spirit in it. The painter wanted to show the Emperor the way to the cave. He clapped his hands. The entrance opened. The painter entered the cave and the door closed behind him. Just then the painting vanished leaving no trace of it on the wall.

Q. 3……… and the artist was not seen again in this world.” How did the artist disappear?

Ans. Wu Daozi, the Chinese painter had drawn a wonderful painting that the Emperor Xuanzong commissioned to decorate a palace wall. The painting was kept hidden under a veil so that only the Emperor could see it. The painter showed the Emperor a cave at the foot of the mountain. He told the Emperor that a spirit lived in the cave. He clapped his hands and the door of the cave opened. He then told the emperor that the inside of the cave was splendid. He He proposed to show the Emperor the way to the cave The painter entered the cave and the door closed behind him. To the surprise of the Emperor the cave and the painter vanished leaving no trace of the painter’s brush. 

Q. 4. Who was Wu Daozi? What did he paint for the Emperor?

Ans. Wu Daozi was a eighth century Chinese painter. He drew a landscape ‘on which images of forests, high mountains, waterfalls, clouds floating in an immense sky, men on hilly paths and birds in flight were painted. The Emperor Xuanzong commissioned it to decorate a palace wall. It was a wonderful painting. 

Q. 5. ‘Let me show your majesty the way.”

What happened when his majesty was shown the way?

Ans. The painter Wu Daozi clapped his hands. The door of the cave opened. He told the painter that the inside of the cave was splendid. He proposed to show the emperor the way. Then he entered the cave and the door closed behind him. Before the Emperor could move or say anything the painting vanished. Neither the painter nor the painting could be seen No trace of the painting remained on the wall. 

Q. 6. What happened when Wu Daozi clapped his hands?

Ans. The painter Wu Daozi clapped his hands. The door of the cave opened. He told the painter that the inside of the cave was splendid. He proposed to show the emperor the way. Then he entered the cave and the door closed behind him. Before the Emperor could move or say anything the painting vanished. Neither the painter nor the painting could be seen No trace of the painting remained on the wall.

Q. 7. Who wrote such stories for Chinese Classical education. What role did they play?

Ans. Confucius, the great religious Philosopher of China and Zhuangzı wrote such stories for Chinese Classical education. They helped the master in guiding his disciple in the right direction. They also reveal the spirit of Chinese painting and art. 

Q. 8. Why would the painter not draw the eye of the dragon he had painted?

Ans. The author mentions another story about a painter. He had painted a dragon. But he would not draw its eye because he feared that once the eye was drawn it would fly away from the painting. This story reveals the spirit of the Chinese art that explored the conceptual space 

Q. 9. Which story does the author consider most representative of western painting?

Ans. In the fifteenth century there lived in Antwerp a master black smith named Quinten Metsys. He fell in love with a painter’s daughter. The father of the girl would not accept a son-in-law in that profession. Quinten stealthily entered the studio of the painter and drew a fly on his last panel. The fly was drawn with such delicate realism that the painter wanted to swat it away as he thought it to be a real fly. Quinten was immediately admitted as an apprentice in to his studio. He married his beloved and in course of time became one of the most famous painters of his age. This story illustrates a perfect illusionistic likeness that it is trying to achieve. 

Q.10. What did Daozi want to reveal to the Emperor through his painting?

Ans. Daozi’s painting was highly appreciated by the Chinese Emperor Xuanzong. But he could appreciate only the outer appearance of the landscape. In this context the writer has observed that an in Emperor may rule over a territory he has conquered. But only an artist knows the inner meaning of it. In case of the Chinese painting the artist revealed to him the true meaning of his work. He proposed to show the king the way inside, the mysterious works of the universe. The painting had vanished from the palace wall but the artist had reached his goal. He went for beyound the material appearances. 

Q. 11. Explain the concept ‘Shanshui’ What do ‘Yang’ and Yin’ represent?

Or 

What are ‘Yang and Yin’?

Ans. Shanshui literally means ‘mountain-water’ which together represent the word ‘landscape’ They are more than two elements of an image. They represent two complimentary poles, reflecting the Daoist view of the universe Yang represent the mountain reaching vertically towards Heaven. It is stable, warm, and dry in the sun. Yin represent water. It is horizontal, wad resting on earth, fluid, moist and cool. Yin is the receptive feminine aspect of universal energy. Its counterpart Yang is masculine. Thus shanshui may be called a spiritual explanation of the material aspects of the natural world. 

Q.12. Explain the significance of the third element or the Middle void. 

Ans. While Yang and Yin represent two complementary poles of the universe, there is a Middle void existing between the poles. Interaction of Yang and Yin takes place in the Middle void. This interaction can be compared with the yogic practice of pranayama the system of breath inhaled breath retained and breath released, Meditation occurs only when the breath is retained in suspension. There lies the significance of the Middle void. 

Q.13. Contrast the features of Chinese and European art forms.

Ans. In a Chinese landscape the artist is move concerned with the conceptual space and less with its outer appearance. The artist shows the way inside. Thus a classical landscape is not a real one and one may enter if from any point. A figurative painting of Europe is a mere image of the outer appearance of the things. It reflects delicate realism. It is not concerned with the inner conceptual space. To appreciate it one must borrow the eyes of the artist.

Q.14. Assess the importance of Man in the landscape.

Ans. While Yang and Yin represent the two complimentary poles of the universe, man stands as a communicative conduit between the poles. He stands as a medium of communication between Heaven and Earth. So his presence is essential. He is not a dwarf standing before the lofty peakes Actually he remains the eye of the world. 

Q. 15. What is Daoism and what is its fundamental notion?

Ans. “Mountain-water’ used together represent the landscape. They are more than two mere images. They represent the two complementary poles, the Heaven and the earth. According to the Daoist view of the universe, the mountain is Yang. It stands vertically towards Heaven. It is stable, warm and dry in the sun. The water is Yin. It represents the earth. It is fluid, moist and cool. It is represents the feminine force of the universal energy. Yang represents the masculine force. The interaction of Yang and Yin is the fundamental notion of Daoism.

Q.16. This is also where Man finds a fundamental role. Explain. 

Or

Where does Man find a fundamental role and how?

Ans. While Yang and Yin represent the two complimentary poles of the universe, man stands as a communicative conduit between the poles. He stands as a medium of communication between Heaven and Earth. So his presence is essential. He is not a dwarf standing before the lofty peakes Actually he remains the eye of the world. 

Q.17. How did the theory of ‘brut art’ put forward by Jean Dubffet get credence?

Ans. “Art-brut’ or ‘raw art’ is also known as “outsider art’ It is the art of those who have no formal training but possess artistic skill. It is the fastest growing area of contemporary art. It is the art of the untrained genius. For these artist anything from a tin to a sink can be raw material for artistic creation The French painter Jean Dubuffet is the first propagator of this art form. He started it in 1940s as the art of the untrained visionaries. Nek Chand is the principal follower of this art form in India. 

Q.18. Assess Nek Chand’s contribution to ‘outsider art’.

Ans. During 1940s when Jean Dubuffet was propounding his art brut, Nek Chand an “untutored genius was creating paradise Nek Chand is treated as the greatest contributor to outsider art. He created the Rock Garden at Chandigarh using stone and recycled materials. Anything from a tin to a sink can be the raw material for artistic creation. The Swiss Commission for UNESCO recognised Nek Chand’s contribution as an outstanding teslimony of the difference a single man can make when he lives in his dream. He has risen outsider art to a great height. 

Q.19. What does the writer say about ‘Realm of Nek Chand’.

Ans. Realm of Nek Chand was a five months long interactive show. Beginning in October it was scheduled for five months. It would be held at leading museums in Switzerland, Belgium, France and Italy. That was the biggest international recognition given to Nek Chand.

Long Type Questions Answer:

Q. 1. Describe Wu Daozi’s wonderful tale? What does the tale signify about Chinese art and painting?

Or 

Describe the story of Wu Daozi. What message does the story convey? 

Ans. Wu Daozi is a eighth century Chinese painter. A wonderful tale is told about him. Daozi’s last painting was a landscape commissioned by the Tang Emperor Xuanzong of China. It was used to decorate a palace wall. The painting was kept veiled so that none but the Emperor could see it. The Emperor highly praised the wonderful painting. The landscape reflected the images of forests, mountains, waterfalls, men on mountain paths, clouds sailing in the immense sky and birds in flight. Then the painter showed the Emperor a cave at the foot of the mountain. He clapped his hands and the door of the cave opened. He offered to show the Emperor the way She painter entered the cave, the door closed behind him and to the surprise of the Emperor the painting vanished from the wall. The artist was never again seen.

The story of Wu Daozi and such other stories reveal the true nature of Chinese Classical art. In Daozi’s story the Emperor praises only the outer appearance of the painting. It is the artist who reveals to him the true meaning of his work and its significance. Only the artist knows the way within.

Q. 2. Write a note on the Daoist concept of Shanshui and the Daoist view of the universe.

Ans. Shanshui is the Daoist view of the universe. Shanshui literally means “mountain water’ which used together represent the word landscape. These are not more images of two elements.

They represent two complementary poles, reflecting the Daoist view of the universe. The mountain is Yang and the water is Yin. The mountain reaches towards Heaven. It stands vertically. It is stable, warm and dry in the sun. Water rests horizontally on earth. It is fluid, moist and cool. It is the receptive feminine aspect of the universal energy. Its counterpart Yang is masculine and active.

The interaction of Yang and Yin is the fundamental notion of Daoism Yang is masculine and Yin is the feminine force. The third essential element is the Middle void. Interaction takes place in the Middle void. Hence it cannot be overlooked. The Middle void is compared with the yogic act of pranayama exercise of breath in-retention of breath and breath out Meditation occurs in the state of breath retention. Man is the conduit between Heaven and Earth in the Daoist view. He has been called ‘the eye of the universe 

Q. 3. How does the writer point out the difference between the Chinese concept of art and the European concept of art.

Or

“The Chinese concept of art and painting is different from the western figurative painting” Explain.

Ans. Definitely the Chinese concept of art is quite different from the western figurative painting. The Chinese art and the European art represent two different concepts. The Chinese landscape is an inner one. It represents a spiritual and conceptual space. On the other hand western figurative painting is the representation of the physical aspect of the things. It tries to achieve a perfect illusionistic likeness. It does not explore the inner world of man Wu Daozi’s story is illustrative of Chinese painting. The painter proposes to show the emperor the way. A classical landscape is not a mere image of the reality. It does not reproduce the actual view. It is a conceptual space. On the other hand the story of Quinten Metsys is representative of western painting. Quinten painted fly with perfect illusionistic likeness The fly is not a real one but its image creates a illusion of being real. Thus a European painter wants his viewers to borrow his eyes to appreciate his painting. But a Chinese painter allows freedom to his viewers.

Q. 4. What is the story from Flanders as mentioned by the writer and how is it representative of western painting?

Ans. Quinten Metsys a master blacksmith lived in Antwerp. He fell in love with the daughter of a famous painter. However, the painter would not like to accept a son-in-law in such a profession. At this Quinten Metsys stealthily entered the studio of the painter and drew a fly in his last panel. The fly was painted with delicate realism. The painter thought it to be real fly and tried to swat it away. Then only he realised that it was a piece good artistic creation. He was highly impressed, admitted Quinten as an apprentice. Quinten married his beloved woman and became a famous painter of his time.

Quinten Metsy’s painting is representative of western painting because it represents the perfect illusionistic likeness. The fly painted by Quinten created illusion as a result of which the painter thought it to be a real fly. Thus the landscape in a European painting is a figurative one. It express the external view of the things. Thus the story of Quinten Metsy’s may be called a representative one of western painting.

Q. 5. Write a note an ‘art brut’ and ‘outsider art’ with special reference to Nek Chand’s achievements in the world of art.

Ans. ‘Art brut or ‘raw art’ was mooted by the Franch painter Jean Dubuffet in 1940s. It was the art of the untrained visionary. ‘Outsider art’ is art of those who had no right to be artists because they have no formal training on the subject. Some such persons having no formal training proved them- selves as untrained genius because they had artistic insight. Their works offer a striking contrast to the works of the trained and professional artists.

Nek Chand is an Indian. He is an untutored genius in outsider art and is regarded as India’s biggest contributor to outsider art. The notion of outsider art’ is best reflected in the Rock Garden at Chandigarh. It is a garden sculptured with stone and recycled material. As an “outsider art’ activist he uses such ordinary things as a tin or a sink as raw materials for his artistic creations. He has been able to achieve international acclamation by dint of his artistic creations.

Q. 6. Find out the correlations of Yin and Yang in other culture.

Ans: In the Yin and Yang model, yin represents feminine forces, such as the moon, water, darkness, passivity, intuition, softness, contraction, and yielding in the universe, while yang represents masculine forces, such as the sun, fire, light, activity, rational thought, hardness, expansion, and assertiveness yin and Yang are two complementary poles which can be correlated in different cultures in different styles. The Indian cultural com prises of nature and God. Nature is the yin and God is the Yang Combination of two is required to create the world and its all worldly things and creatures Ideas like light, day, and sun are on the yang side of our list. Some other examples of things that are considered yang include heat, summer, movement such as running, being active and masculinity. Their opposites ideas such as cold, winter, rest, inactive, and femininity are considered yin.

Q. 7. What is lacking in Shanshui?

Ans: The third element, the Middle Void where their interaction takes place, is lacking in Shanshui. The Middle Void is indispensable. Hence nothing can happen without it. This is the reason why the white, unpainted space in Chinese landscape is important.