西泠印社金石篆刻：印传东汉今犹在

刘凡力 张涵涵

西泠印社，创建于清光绪三十年，以“保存金石，研究印学、兼及书画”为宗旨，是海内外研究金石篆刻历史最悠久、成就最高、影响最广的国际性印学、书画研究的民间艺术团体，有“印学研究中心”“天下第一名社”的美誉。入社者均为精擅篆刻、书画、鉴赏、考古、文史的大家，印社由此声誉日隆。每年的春秋两季，印社会组织社员聚会，举办艺术展览、学术研讨、创作笔会和鉴赏交流活动。在传统文化日渐式微的现代环境下，西泠印社依然生動完好地保存着具有传统人文气质的组织文化形态。

印传东汉今犹在，社结西泠久且长。刘江是人类非物质文化遗产名录项目金石篆刻的代表性传承人、西泠印社执行社长。刘江认为，艺术首先是一种文化的载体：“一个成功的艺术家也是一个思想家。为艺术立言，也是艺术家的本职。”在刘江身上，能让人真切感受到他的艺术人格魅力。几十年来，他始终把对传统的重视、对前辈的尊敬、对同仁的真诚视为一种文化的责任和担当，其不同时期的作品也体现了对每个时代的感悟。抗战时期，他的篆刻作品表达了中华民族不屈不挠的坚强意志与抗战必胜的坚定信念;改革开放之初，他创作的《振兴中华》巨印是群心振奋的真实写照;1988年，杭州遭遇特大台风袭击，他创作了《降龙》，以祈国泰民安。秉承着“艺术的最高境界是让艺术回归人民”的信念，2009年，刘江把凝聚着多年心血的100方篆刻精品捐赠给西泠印社永久收藏。

从最初的信用凭证发展到现在，印章已经成了中华民族特有的文化艺术象征。“篆刻是一种独特的艺术，具有特殊的文化功能。我不仅用它来健脑，也通过它来言情、言事、言志，主要是为了普及中国传统文化。”刘江说。

（浙江省非物质文化遗产保护中心为本栏目提供支持）

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.