民窑之辩--石湾窑文化解析

Defence of Folk Kiln:Interpretation of Shiwan Kiln Culture

石湾窑为中国著名民窑,但在中国陶瓷史上被忽略与误解,其作为"中国陶"代表的地位亦同时被贬低。石湾陶器起源于新石器时代,明清以来代表了广窑的最高水平。石湾窑的文化特点可总结为九点:源远流长,影响广泛;扬长避短,另辟蹊径;兼收并蓄,擅仿擅创;源于生活,高于生活;妙趣天成,大巧若拙;诗意表现,艺之大成;岭南风骨,广府特色;名家辈出,代代相承;精于匠作,疏于理论。官窑与民窑之别,不应在艺术的高低,而应在于追求趣味的不同。官窑追求的是统治阶级的欣赏趣味,而民窑追求的是劳动人民的生活情趣。陶胜于质朴,瓷胜于精致,陶与瓷,不可以高低论。石湾窑在中国名窑之林独树一帜,以其并不优越的陶土塑造出超越诸多名窑的石湾陶塑艺术,最大限度地表现了岭南的地域文化,成就了中国陶器的一个巅峰。

Shiwan kiln, a renowned folk kiln in China, had suffered negligence and misunderstanding in Chinese ceramic history and its representative position as ＂China Pottery producer＂ was belittled at the same time. Shiwan pottery traces back to the Neolithic age and reached the peak in Ming and Qing Dynasties. Culturally, Shiwan kiln has nine characteristics which can be summarized as follows： having a long history and extensive influence; fostering strengths and circumventing weakness; exploring original ways; assimilating the quintessence and discarding dregs; excelling at imitation and creation; deriving from life but going beyond life; endowed excellence by magic and rendered elegance by simplicity; poetic expression in treasure of art; embodying the character of Lingnan culture and the local feature of Guangdong region; masters coming forth continuously, carrying its heritage endlessly forward; skilled at craft but unconcerned about theory. The difference between official kiln and folk kiln lies in taste rather than art. Official kiln caters exclusively to the taste of the ruling class while the folk kiln aims to provide the pleasure of life to be enjoyed by common people. Simplicity makes pottery while delicateness makes porcelain. Therefore, a comparison is unable to be made between them. Shiwan kiln stands out from the famous kilns in China. The articles, shaped with common pottery clay, exceed the achievement of numerous famed kilns. They reflect Lingnan culture and succeed in pushing Chinese pottery to a summit.