劉凡力 張涵涵

西泠印社，創(chuàng)建于清光緒三十年，以“保存金石，研究印學(xué)、兼及書畫”為宗旨，是海內(nèi)外研究金石篆刻歷史最悠久、成就最高、影響最廣的國際性印學(xué)、書畫研究的民間藝術(shù)團體，有“印學(xué)研究中心”“天下第一名社”的美譽。入社者均為精擅篆刻、書畫、鑒賞、考古、文史的大家，印社由此聲譽日隆。每年的春秋兩季，印社會組織社員聚會，舉辦藝術(shù)展覽、學(xué)術(shù)研討、創(chuàng)作筆會和鑒賞交流活動。在傳統(tǒng)文化日漸式微的現(xiàn)代環(huán)境下，西泠印社依然生動完好地保存著具有傳統(tǒng)人文氣質(zhì)的組織文化形態(tài)。

印傳東漢今猶在，社結(jié)西泠久且長。劉江是人類非物質(zhì)文化遺產(chǎn)名錄項目金石篆刻的代表性傳承人、西泠印社執(zhí)行社長。劉江認為，藝術(shù)首先是一種文化的載體：“一個成功的藝術(shù)家也是一個思想家。為藝術(shù)立言，也是藝術(shù)家的本職?！痹趧⒔砩希茏屓苏媲懈惺艿剿乃囆g(shù)人格魅力。幾十年來，他始終把對傳統(tǒng)的重視、對前輩的尊敬、對同仁的真誠視為一種文化的責任和擔當，其不同時期的作品也體現(xiàn)了對每個時代的感悟。抗戰(zhàn)時期，他的篆刻作品表達了中華民族不屈不撓的堅強意志與抗戰(zhàn)必勝的堅定信念;改革開放之初，他創(chuàng)作的《振興中華》巨印是群心振奮的真實寫照;1988年，杭州遭遇特大臺風襲擊，他創(chuàng)作了《降龍》，以祈國泰民安。秉承著“藝術(shù)的最高境界是讓藝術(shù)回歸人民”的信念，2009年，劉江把凝聚著多年心血的100方篆刻精品捐贈給西泠印社永久收藏。

從最初的信用憑證發(fā)展到現(xiàn)在，印章已經(jīng)成了中華民族特有的文化藝術(shù)象征?！白淌且环N獨特的藝術(shù)，具有特殊的文化功能。我不僅用它來健腦，也通過它來言情、言事、言志，主要是為了普及中國傳統(tǒng)文化?！眲⒔f。

（浙江省非物質(zhì)文化遺產(chǎn)保護中心為本欄目提供支持）

The Xiling Seal Art Society and the Chinese Art of Seal Cutting

By Liu Fanli? Zhang Hanhan

Founded in 1904， the 30th year during the reign of Emperor Guangxu of the Qing dynasty （1616-1911）， the Xiling Seal Art Society is Chinas first professional academic society dedicated to stone seal engraving. With a mission of “preserving stones， focusing on seal studies， and integrating calligraphy and painting”， it is the oldest and the most influential seal engraving association around the world. The extensive achievements the society has accomplished since its establishment has earned it the reputation of being “the Research Center of Seal Studies” and “the No. 1 Society under Heaven”. Members of the society are all masters in the fields of stone engraving， calligraphy and painting， art appraisal， archeology， literature and history. A members conference is called every spring and autumn for art exhibitions， academic seminars as well as other academic exchange activities. In a modern context， the society still retains its traditional organization and temperament.

Liu Jiang， executive president of the Xiling Seal Art Society， is an inheritor of the “Chinese seal cutting”， also known as seal engraving， a unique carving art included in the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

“A successful artist is also a thinker. It is an artists duty to speak for art.” Liu Jiang believes that art is first of all a carrier of culture， and he exudes the charm of an artistic personality. For decades， Liu has always regarded the importance of tradition， the respect for predecessors and the sincerity to colleagues as a cultural responsibility. His works of different periods are reflections of his perception of each era. During the War of Resistance against Japan， his seal cutting works expressed the indomitable strong will of the Chinese nation and the firm belief of victory. At the beginning of the reform and opening up， his Rejuvenating China， a huge seal， was a true portrayal of the publics enthusiasm. In 1988， when Hangzhou was hit by a severe typhoon， he created Taming the Dragon to pray for safety and prosperity. In accordance with the belief that “the highest state of art is to let art return to the people”， in 2009， Liu Jiang donated 100 pieces of square seals to the Xiling Seal Art Society for permanent collection.

The function of seals has evolved from the original credit voucher to become a unique cultural and artistic symbol of the Chinese nation.“Seal cutting is a unique art with special cultural purposes. I practice it to not only exercise my brain， but also to express my feelings， what I see and hear， as well as my aspirations， and above all to disseminate traditional Chinese culture，” said Liu Jiang.