2021 Literary Review: Re-departure in a New Direction

2021 Literary Review:

Re-departure in a new direction

Easy wood

History and the future meet in 2021, destined to engrave a very special and profound mark on the rings of time. For Chinese literary and art criticism, when people later need to look back and re-examine their origins, the extraordinary year of 2021 will also be a distinct scale that cannot be ignored, an eternal coordinate worth remembering.

Learning from the past and learning from history:

Review and prospect under a century-old perspective

Tolstoy said, "History is a biography of nations and human beings." "In 2021, the Communist Party of China ushered in its centennial anniversary, and at this milestone milestone in time, reviewing and summarizing the development process, major achievements and valuable experience of the century-old literary and artistic and literary and art criticism undertakings under the leadership of the Party is undoubtedly the proper meaning of this year's Chinese literary and art criticism, and it is also a high manifestation of the critics' historical awareness and historical thinking. Focusing on the themes of "Studying and Implementing the Spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping's 'July 1st' Important Speech", "Centenary of the Founding of the Party and Literary and Art Criticism", "Party Leadership and a Century of Literature and Art", "A Century of New Literature and Art and Contemporary Urban Culture", the literary and art critics have carried out extensive discussions, and extracted the historical enlightenment and era values from the magnificent and colorful century-old literary and artistic pictures with a deep and broad view of history and a great era. Tie Ning's "With Shi Mingzhi, Blowing the Loud Horn of the New Journey", Li Yi's "Successful Experience and Enlightenment of the Development of Literature and Art in the Past Hundred Years of The Party Leadership", Wang Meng's "Party History in Literature and Literature in Party History", Xia Chao's "Historical Enlightenment of Party Leadership Literary and Art Criticism", Zhang Jiong's "The Communist Party of China and the Criticism of Literary and Art Theory in a Hundred Years", Dong Xuewen's "The Centenary of the Communist Party of China and the Development of Marxist Literary and Art Theory", Lu Guishan's "Historical Innovation of Literary and Art Concepts -- Revisiting literary and artistic performances "New Characters and New World"", Mao Shi'an's "Socialist Literature and Art is the People's Literature and Art" and Zhang Fugui's "The Logical Evolution and Artistic Presentation of The Century's Party History and China's New Literature and Art" place the century-old literature and art in the long river of history, the evolution of civilization, the changes of the times and the trend of thought, sort out the context, expose the law, clarify the direction, and show a distinct historical initiative and a positive atmosphere of abiding by righteousness and innovation.

A hundred years of time and space are intertwined and turbulent, among which the classics that still shine through the smoke and dust of history, the names of the historical records and the theoretical essence contained in them still need to be revisited and pondered before they can be read and continued. 2021 is the 140th anniversary of Lu Xun's birth, "The direction of Lu Xun is the direction of the new culture of the Chinese nation", the literary and art theory critics review Lu Xun's thoughts and achievements in various ways and in the context of the new era, and relive the candlelight of Lu Xun's ideal and the light of the times of Lu Xun's spirit. Focusing on "The Centenary of the Founding of the Party and The Classics of Red Literature and Art", Wei Yi's "The Times and the People Call for a New Red Literary and Art Classic", Wang Jie's "Socialist Goals and the Cultural Value of the "Red Classics of the Past Hundred Years"" and a number of in-depth comments on red classic works such as literature, drama, fine arts, films, music, dance, and quyi, we strive to establish their current value and future dimension in the re-reading and analysis of classic works.

Focusing on the "typical" theory entering China for a hundred years, Wang Yichuan's "Typical" Journey in Modern China for a Hundred Years - An Example of Localization of Foreign Theories" and others reflect on "typical", the core category of Chinese literary and art theory criticism system, with a view to making a new construction of contemporary Chinese literary theory and its inheritance of classical traditions; Gao Jianping's "Other Laws, Intervention, and Serving the People- A Century of Chinese Marxist Aesthetics Course", etc., seek a new path to build Marxist aesthetics in the new era in dialogue and integration.

With the same frequency of the times, resonance with creation:

Comments are always present

In December 2021, the 11th National Congress of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the 10th National Congress of the China Writers Association were held, and General Secretary Xi Jinping delivered an important speech at the opening ceremony. As another programmatic document guiding literary and artistic work on the new journey of the new era, the speech has set off an upsurge of study, research, and implementation in the literary and art criticism circles. Practice has fully proved that the path of party-led literary and artistic development pointed out by General Secretary Xi Jinping is not only the only correct path for Chinese literature and art, but also the only way for Chinese literary and art criticism.

The mission and function of literary and art criticism of an era is first to formulate and interpret the value of literature and art in this era, including social values, cultural values, aesthetic values, etc., so it must have a keen vision and judgment ability to face the times and lead the times. In 2021, focusing on the major literary and artistic phenomena and literary and artistic practices that embody the theme of the era of national rejuvenation and show the national cultural image, the literary and art critics directly faced the hot spots and arrived at the scene, starting from the works, and launched a comprehensive discussion of the ideological connotations, innovative art forms and aesthetic styles with theoretical depth and value guidance, such as the ideological connotations, innovative art forms and aesthetic styles of the large-scale scenario epic "The Great Journey", the fine art works of the History Exhibition Hall of the Communist Party of China, and the special program of CCTV's "Party History in Fine Arts Classics", which aroused social resonance. In the field of stage art, in view of the peking opera "Li Dazhao", the opera "Red Boat", the Kun opera "Qu Qiubai", the drama "Gu Wenchang", "Lu Yao", "Hongqi Canal", the dance drama "The Eternal Electric Wave", the Sichuan opera "Sister Jiang", the Yue opera "The Love of the Walnut Tree", the commentary "Talking about the History of the Party", the acrobatic drama "Battle Shanghai" and a number of outstanding works displayed in the centenary of the founding of the party, focusing on its deep cultivation of Chinese narrative, highlighting the characteristics of the times, exploring the nationalization style and other perspectives, the criticism agglomeration effect has been formed.

This year, literary and art criticism paid great attention to a number of key works in the field of film and television. For films such as "Chosin Lake" and "Shoudao Man", literary and art criticism either focuses on the concept of "new mainstream", or explores the expansion of the theme of "youthfulness", or analyzes the new media environment, which gives a vision to Chinese films rooted in Chinese history and reality, and to tell Chinese stories well with light and shadow. For the creation of TV dramas with different genres, whether it is the major revolutionary historical themes "The Age of Awakening" and "Crossing the Yalu River", or the realistic themes of "Mountains and Seas", "Together", "Meritorious Service", etc., literary and art criticism has made a three-dimensional and in-depth interpretation of the lofty realism and romantic spirit, the mainstream aesthetic style and typical characters with more depth and level, and the phenomenon of "breaking the circle" of the works. Literary and art critics work with the audience to respond to the times and read life, share their feelings, experiences and views on the works, and broaden our horizons for us to understand life and the world with the attitude of presence and artistic self-awareness.

Wind and sail suspension, anchor orientation:

Reconstruction and reflection of literary criticism

General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed in his important speech at the opening ceremony of the Eleventh National Congress of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the Tenth National Congress of the China Writers Association that it is necessary to strengthen the construction of Marxist literary and artistic theory and commentary, enhance the vigor and vigor, and play a role in guiding creation, launching fine products, improving aesthetics, and leading fashion. This puts forward clear requirements for the work of literary and art criticism. In July 2021, the Central Propaganda Department and other five departments jointly issued the "Guiding Opinions on Strengthening the Work of Literary and Art Criticism in the New Era" (hereinafter referred to as the "Opinions"), which is the first time since the founding of New China that a special guiding document on literary and art criticism has been issued in the form of a joint document issued by the central party, government and mass departments, highlighting the status and role of literary and art criticism, and undoubtedly marking that literary and art criticism has ushered in an important opportunity of the times and a clearer development picture. How to turn "blueprint planning" into "reality picture"? Various relevant functional departments have launched a series of measures, such as the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles formulated and issued the "Implementation Plan for Strengthening literary and art criticism in the new era"; the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, the China Writers Association, the China Academy of Arts, and the propaganda and cultural departments of various localities have respectively held forums on strengthening and improving literary and art criticism; the China Critics Association has further strengthened theoretical research, key commentaries, brand activities, personnel training, and position building; for the first time, it has held the "Two New Literary and Art" Jinjiang Forum and the Literary and Art Criticism Talent Leadership Class, and strived to cultivate new forces in literary and art criticism.

"Every comment must be at the same time a comment." Based on a new orientation, what is literary criticism? Literary and art criticism began to ask questions on itself, with the "commentary of criticism" to discuss the theory and practice of current literary and art criticism, such as holding seminars such as "historical consciousness of criticism" and "how to carry out constructive literary and art criticism", and relevant academic journals set up a column of "New Literary and Art Criticism everyone talks" to rethink the significance of "criticism" for literary and art criticism itself. In view of the "Construction of Chinese Characteristics Of Criticism Discourse" and "Construction of Literary and Art Theory and Criticism Discipline System, Academic System and Discourse System with Chinese Characteristics", Li Yi's "Study and Implement general Secretary Xi Jinping's Important Expositions and Instructions on Literary and Art Criticism to Strengthen and Improve the Literary and Art Criticism Work in the New Era", Zhong Chengxiang's "Constructing Literary and Art Criticism Discourse with Chinese Characteristics", Fu Daobin's "Absence" and "Presence" of the New Generation of Literary and Art Criticism", zhang Dexiang's "Don't Go Around! Literary and Art Criticism Should Go Straight to the Point" and Wang Tingxin's "Ideological Roots, Basic Methods, and Discursive Characteristics of Ancient Chinese Literary and Art Criticism Theory" emphasize the need to persist in combining the basic principles of Marxism with China's excellent traditional culture and with the specific practice of contemporary Chinese literary and artistic creation, re-evaluate the value of ancient Chinese literary and art criticism theory, and advocate a critical style of "both literary quality and beauty", so as to build a people-centered critical discourse system.

In the face of new changes, new challenges and new topics in the field of literature and art, literary and art criticism urgently needs to explore the establishment of new styles, new discourses and new formats with extensive mass and strong guiding force, which is essentially related to the sustainable development of literary and art criticism. This year, a fashionable new word derived from science fiction " meta-universe " stirred up thousands of waves, "the future is the present", online literature, network drama, network variety, short video, micro-short drama and other new media literary and artistic phenomena are undoubtedly the hot content and cutting-edge topics of the annual literary and art review. Yin Hong's "Reconstruction of the Literary and Art Criticism System in the Internet Era", Li Mingquan's "The Internet Gives Birth to Innovation in the Expression and Dissemination of Literary and Art Criticism", and Hu Jiangfeng's "Re-departure of Network Literature and Art and New Literary and Art Criticism as an Event" rationally analyze the way of thinking, expression means and leading functions of literary and art criticism in the context of the Internet, in order to effectively guide this new force, enhance the professional authority of criticism, and create a good ecology of pluralistic symbiosis of literary and art criticism.

Strengthening and improving literary and art criticism is a complex system project. Fu Jin's "It is Very Necessary for Literary and Art Criticism to Be Included in the Scientific Research Evaluation System", Xiang Yunju's "Putting Literary and Art Criticism Work in a More Important Position in the Prosperity of Literature and Art", Xu Yuechun's "Focusing on "Doing People's Work" and Gathering the Powerful Forces of Literary and Art Criticism in the New Era", Hu Yifeng's "Aesthetic Governance and Incremental Change -- On the Functional Expansion of Literary and Art Criticism in the New Era", etc., systematically considered and deeply interpreted the "Opinions" from the practical and operational level of criticism work, emphasizing the strengthening of the construction of literary and art criticism positions. This makes our grasp more accurate, broader vision and more comprehensive understanding of the overall consideration of China's literary and art criticism and our profound understanding of China's characteristics.

Stone is blunted and blunted:

Reinventing the "Critical Spirit"

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that literary and art criticism is criticism. The more complicated and confusing the literary and artistic environment is, the more it is necessary for literary and art criticism to be a sharp weapon and this medicine, and the more it calls for the "critical spirit" of daring to be angry and bold and unyielding. The "Opinions" once again emphasize "advocating the 'spirit of criticism'" and "promoting truth, goodness and beauty, refuting false evil and ugliness, and not fueling vulgar and vulgar kitsch works and pan-entertainment". The "Woodpecker Cup" annual promotion activity of Chinese literary and art criticism organized by the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles and the China Appraisal Association also responded to the requirements of the "Opinions" and included short reviews into the scope of selection for the first time to enhance the pertinence and currentness of the reviews. All kinds of media have launched "criticism" special columns, such as the "Literary and Art Observation" of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, the "Art Opinion" platform of the China Critics Association, and the "Criticism controversy" of the "China Literary and Art Review", etc., to strengthen the dialogue function between criticism and creation, and a large number of short, quick and micro-comments with strong gunpowder flavor and spicy taste have emerged, showing a distinct posture of combining combat effectiveness and persuasiveness, criticism and constructiveness.

As Lu Xun said, critics should become the "iron fence" of "harmful" literature and art. In 2021, in view of the chaos of traffic first and "rice circle" culture, theoretical critics held discussions from the perspectives of art, aesthetics, economics, sociology, ethics, youth culture and other disciplines, with a serious scientific, rational and just attitude, from the academic level to deeply interpret the mechanism and serious harm of the "rice circle" culture, and explore the direction of governance. In view of the deformed aesthetics of beauty and ugliness in the entertainment industry, People's Daily published a series of commentaries, Guangming Daily launched an in-depth commentary signed "Guan Mingwen", and China Art News launched a column on "Shaping the Aesthetic Fashion of the New Era" and "Art Road Xinsheng" to respond to social concerns and help create a literary and artistic ecology with beautiful mountains and clear waters. Breaking is the means and standing is the fundamental. This year, in the overall atmosphere of resisting deformed aesthetics, literary and art criticism focused on carrying forward the spirit of Chinese aesthetics as its purpose, focusing on themes such as "forging a solid sense of the Chinese national community", "the cultural connotation of traditional Chinese festivals", and "the chinese cultural characteristics of the new form of human civilization", paying attention to the phenomenon of "national tide" and cultural variety shows, consciously exploring the nationalized and epochal characteristics of literary and art criticism in adhering to the aesthetic essence of the people's position, promoting the construction of correct historical views, values, literary and artistic views, and aesthetics, and reshaping the independent "critical spirit" The efforts further demonstrate the enthusiasm, professionalism and rationality of literary and art critics.

The work done by literary and art critics is often to examine, screen, and select in the vast sea of literary and artistic works and phenomena in the form of "cutting off the rotten and leaving the good to eat", and then solemnly deliver the painstaking efforts and achievements to readers and audiences, and retain them for time and history. In 2021, literary and art criticism will study a few times in the new historical orientation and strive to cultivate, and in 2022, it will continue to write new chapters with vigor and vigor, mission and responsibility.