Previous Year: Long Questions With Answers - Landscape of the Soul | English Class 11 PDF Download

Q. 1. Describe the wonderful tale about the Chinese painter Wu Daozi. What does the author mean by giving it?
Ans. Wu Daozi was a famous painter of China of eighth century. His painting, ‘landscape’, was commissioned by the Tang Emperor Xuanzong to decorate the palace wall. Wu Daozi requested the Emperor to look at the cave in the painting in which lived a spirit. The painter clapped his hands. The cave opened and the painter entered it. But its door closed behind him. The painting vanished from the wall. The artist was not seen thereafter nor any trace of his brush etc. By this the author means to say that Chinese classical painting can be entered from any point. It is actually the spiritual and conceptual space. The artist creates a path for the viewer’s eye to enter the landscape. He doesn’t want the onlooker to borrow his eyes as happens in the case of European painting.

Q. 2. How does the Chinese view of art differ from the European view? Illustrate your answer with examples.
Ans. A western figurative painting is meant to reproduce an actual view of the scene whereas a classical Chinese landscape is based on an imaginative, inner or spiritual approach. The Chinese art aims at achieving the essence of inner life and spirit while the European form of art is trying to achieve a perfect illusionistic liking. The European painter wants the viewer to borrow his eyes, and look at a particular exactly as he saw it, from a specific angle. On the other hand, the Chinese painter does not choose a single view point. His landscape is not a real one. He does not want the viewers to borrow his eyes. He wants the beholder to enter his mind. One can enter a Chinese landscape from any point and move across leisurely and come back. The Chinese view of art also requires an active participation of the viewer. This participation is both physical and mental. The stories about the paintings of Wu Daozi and an old story from Flanders amply illustrate the difference.

Q. 3. Write a note on the concept of Shanshui as given in the ‘Landscape of the Soul? Explain the concept of Shanshui and the fundamental yogic practice.
Ans. Shanshui literally means ‘mountain and water’, which used together represents ‘landscape’. These represent two complementary poles, reflecting the Daoist view of the universe. The ‘mountain’ is Yang which reaches vertically towards Heaven. It is stable, warm and dry in the sun. The ‘water’ is Yin, which is horizontal and rests on the earth. It is fluid, moist and cool. Yin is feminine and Yang is masculine. The interaction between the two is the fundamental notion of Daoism. The third element, called the ‘Middle Void’, is often overlooked. But, it is essential as there takes place their interaction. This can be compared with the Yogic practice of pranayama. Nothing can happen without this element. Man is the conduit of communication between Heaven and Earth. He is actually “the eye of the landscape”.

Q. 4. Which art does Nek Chand represent and how? How has he been honoured?
Ans. Nek Chand, through his creation, the Rock Garden at Chandigarh, represents what is called outside art or outsider art’. This art is described as art of those who have ‘no right’ to be artists. This is because they have received no formal training, yet they show talent and artistic insight. It is similar to the concept of ’art brut’ or raw art’ originated by the French painter Jean Dubaffe in the 1940s. It is of those works that are in their raw state as regards cultural and artistic influences. Nek Chand has been honoured by the UK-based magazine titled ‘Raw Vision.’ This magazine is pioneer in ‘Outsider Art’ publications. It has featured Nek Chand and his Rock Garden sculpture, ‘Women by the Waterfall’ on its anniversary issue’s cover.