Three Character Classics
2015; Chinese rice paper, ink, 1140 ice cubes; 20in-336in
Three Character Classic has been a culturally iconic text for all Chinese children for centuries. Kids recite it in unison, accompanied by the swaying of the body for rhythm. It was written in the 13th century and consists of a series of couplets of three characters. The complete text is less than 1200 characters, but in that limited space, it manages to enumerate all of the salient features of the Confucian tradition.
