【clover】ISSUE 147习作 by tofee

tofeeUID: 2485486

TOPIC: ISSUE147 - "Tradition and modernization are incompatible. One must choose between them."
I and hardly agree with the author because there is much ground between modernization and tradition, and in many cases, the two are not exclusive against each other but mutually accepted. The issue often takes place in the condition of arts, a city’s development types and nation’s development.

Consider the arts first. As an ordinary, the term traditional and modern in the field of arts often equal to the term as classic and modern. The influence from the impression of masterpieces often helps us to tell the two types apart. Take painting for instance. These have the symmetric composition, specific theme (portrait, landscape) are defined as the traditional. Meanwhile, those out of these rules are seen as the modernization, such as the Mona Lisa and The Scream of Edward Munck. However, when we turn eye on the modern arts market now, we will find that, the element of tradition is in a roll in the modern arts especially on the models on the T-stage. Consider the architecture next, the Glass Pyramid, which is a totally modern architecture, is design as the entrance of the ancient Louvre. The two are famous for their compatibleness.



Next, consider the city’s feature. In the process of the urbanization or modernization, some cities or towns confront such problems, like how to conserve their traditional flavor of their appearances. Some of the urbanizations follow such ways: old blocks were deracinated, and of course with the life ways on them, and skyscrapers was replanted instead. It seems that, tradition and modernization are mutually exclusive in the urbanization. However, Shanghai City told us that, that is not the whole story. By the Huangpu River, Shanghai is divided into 2 parts. One is the old blocks with many unique mansion dates from 18th century, the other side a brand new city. The tradition and modernization compatibly meets on a river, and give a city the meaning of harmonious and compatibility.

Finally, consider the culture. In the stream of globalization, many nations concern about their cultures exposing to the erosion of others. In my opinion, when comes to the culture, the tradition and the modernization can not compatible, and we must choose one from it. Some people could argue that, like arts and cities’ feature, the two may compatible in the culture. They may also take the example of the tourism that brings the dollar to the region famous for its tradition and custom. However, the core of a culture lives in the mores, values, believes of their residents. The buildings, rituals, raiment only scratch the surface of it. If one culture becomes modernization, it is sure to loss its traditions. The eclectic culture is not the true one. While, weather we should spurn the modernization to converse the traditional culture or keep the tradition at the expense of modernization is another story.

In sum, tradition and modernization could compatible in the field of arts, or could eclectic in the appearance of the city. However, when it comes to the culture, the two are incompatible, and we must choose one from the two.