Royal Asiatic Society Blog

Next RAS Lecture: Confluence: Arabic and Chinese Calligraphy - Thursday 13th December

Posted: 23 Nov 2012 03:00 AM PST

The Society's main lecture series continues on Thursday 13th December at 6.00pm, with a lecture by Professor Uta Lauer from University of Stockholm who will be speaking on 'Confluence: Arabic and Chinese Calligraphy.'

Uta Lauer is guest professor at Stockholm University, author of A Master of His Own: The Calligraphy of the Chan Abbot Zhongfeng Mingben (1262-1323) and numerous scholarly articles. Her main specialisation is traditional Chinese calligraphy and painting.

Summarizing her lecture she says:

Arabic and Chinese calligraphy are highly sophisticated writing systems and both have developed into art forms in their respective culture. This lecture will explore the differences and communalities. Of particular interest will be phenomena such as xiao'er jing, a method of transcribing Chinese in Arabic and Sini, a distinctly Chinese form of writing Arabic. Artworks which have arisen out of a confluence of both calligraphic traditions will be introduced and discussed as to their potential for future developments.

The lecture is free and open for all. It will be followed by a question and answer session and a drinks reception. For directions to the society visit our website or for further details contact info@royalasiaticsociety.org