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Chinese Fine Arts
Theo TranShirlyn Hong
Taylor BodnarTeal Mingledorff
Dragon Dance
Originated during the Han dynasty
Started by the Chinese who showed great belief and respect towards the dragon
Began as a farming and harvest culture
The Dragon
Long, serpent shaped body on poles
Hoops that distinguish each section of the body
Traditionally, constructed from wood, and bamboo hoops
Modern era, constructed from aluminum and plastics
Usually 25-35m in length; 50-70m for larger ceremonies
Movement
Coordinated wave-like movements
The dragon’s movement shows power and dignity
The pearl represents the sun and wisdom
Dragon chases for the pearl
Use of Color Green: Great harvest
Yellow: Solemn empire
Silver: Prosperity
Red: Excitement
The scales and the tail are usually silver and glittering
Different FormsCloth Dragon
o Fire Dragon
o Grass Dragon
Beijing (Peking) Opera
Originated in the late 18th century
Has a history of over 200 yearsBecame fully developed and recognized by the mid-19th centuryMain melodies originated from Anhui and Hubei
A combination of music, dance, art and acrobatics
Most influential and representative form of all styles of opera in China
Beijing (Peking) OperaOften performed on open-air stages
Ex. markets, streets, teahouses, temple courtyardsShrill, piercing-style of singing developed to be heard over the crowds
Orchestra had to play loudly
Facial painting patternOver 1,000 facial patterns are usedUnique makeup allows characters to reveal themselves voicelessly
Symbolism
4 Types of PerformersSheng (生 )
Main role
Male role
Dan (旦 )Any female role in the
Beijing Opera
Jing (淨 )Painted face male role
Usually plays the secondary role
Chou (丑 )Considered a minor role
Kind of like a clown
Use of Color in the Beijing Opera
One of the most unique aspects of the Beijing Opera
Reflects a character’s personality or a quality they possess
Nobility vs. Common folkGood vs. EvilLoyalty vs. Treachery
Colors: Red Loyalty, uprightness, braveryWhite Treachery, suspicious, trickeryGreen Stubbornness, lack of self-restraintBlack Serious/taciturn disposition, strength, roughnessPurple Solemnity, serenity, sense of justiceYellow Intelligence, calculation/bravery (warrior) Blue Uprightness, stubbornnessGold/Silver Used on faces of immortals, demons, monsters
Use of Color in the Beijing Opera
Costumes - very elaborate embroidery, brightly colored
Colors can indicate social statusYellow Imperial family
Red High nobility
Red/Blue Upright men
White Old officials
Blue Students
AccessoriesPadded armor General
Dragon robe Emperor
Jewelry girdles/hair ornaments
Chinese Woodblock Printing: History
o Wood block roots in stone rubbing and wooden stamps
o Technological advancement with paper in 105 AD
o Oldest print from Han Dynasty (220 AD) – 3 color
print on silk
o Grew into common use in Tang Dynasty for
Buddhist texts and images and calendars and
playing cards
o Five Dynasties period (907-960 AD) – imperial court
ordered mass production of Confucian classics for
imperial exams
o Song Dynasty (960-1279 AD) – more specialized
craftsmen, high print quality, court ordered Chinese
classics, book binding
o Ming Dynasty (1368-1644 AD) – multiple color
printing
o 20th century – western influence, artists,
propaganda
Chinese Woodblock Printing: History
o Diamond Sutra of 868 AD – printed in black and red in 1341
o Buddhist canon, Tripitaka, 130000 pages in 972-983
AD
Chinese Woodblock Printing: Techniqueo Woodblock printing is based on engraving
and stamping
o Engraving in China:o Painted pottery culture (5000 BC to 1000 BC)o Inscriptions on bones, tortoise shells, bronze or
stone (1600 BC to Han Dynasty)
o Common method for printing:o Areas intended to be blank on print are cut away
from blocko Remaining raised areas receive ink and
create image to be printedo Paper or silk is laid on top of wood blocko Multiple blocks with different engravings are used to create prints with multiple colors
o Printing technique proved to be more suitable for Chinese characters than European moveable type printing method
Chinese Woodblock Printing: Application
o Artistic prints from the Ten Bamboo Studio Collection from 1622-1627 by Hu Cheng Yen for the imperial court – invented color gradation
Chinese Woodblock Printing: Applicationo Propaganda inspired by Lu Xun’s Woodcut
Movement in 1930so Li Hua’s Roar! China (1936) and Mao Leading Us
Going Forward (1960s) by a revolution committee
Fifth Generation Chinese Cinema
Who are China’s “Fifth Generation” directors?Filmmakers who graduated from Beijing Film Academy in 1982Image-based narratives with limited dialogueSymbolic use of color and empty space Unified image and ideology
Modern Chinese Adoption of Technicolor Three-strip color processDye transfer techniqueEquipment from old Hollywood Technicolor factory sold to ChinaExtremely saturated hues Beijing Film and Video Lab discontinued use in 1993
Red Sorghum (1988) By: Yimou Zhang
Xi’an Studio equivalent of “Gone With the Wind”
Ju Dou (1990) By: Fengliang Yang & Yimou Zhang
Saturated red hues & pale skin tones similar to “Wizard of Oz”
Colors as Cultural Symbols
Red happiness, joy
Yellow high status, freedom from worldly cares
Green vitality, harmony
White purity, mourning
Black times of the unknown
Alternative Uses of Space & Color
Empty space
Silhouette
Shadow-play
Q & A