Traditional Chinese Folk Art and Handicraft Exhibition

Transcription

1 Traditional Chinese Folk Art and Handicraft Exhibition Wednesday 1 st February 9:30-11:30AM CBA Center 1. Beijing-style Cheongsam & Chinese Knot Artisan: Zhang Fenglan Cheongsam is the most representative traditional dress for Chinese women. With rich historical and cultural connotations, it is widely acknowledged as a national treasure that most embodies the oriental charm. Cheongsam originated from the clothing of Banner People when the Manchu ruled China during the Qing dynasty, and was regarded clothing of the noble. The Beijingstyle cheongsam has a history of over 100 years. As a typical Chinese garment, cheongsam are usually made of Chinese silk and brocade with exquisite craftsmanship. Their design features smooth lines and Chinese cultural elements, and can cater to a wide variety of needs. Chinese knotting is a decorative handicraft art that began as a form of Chinese folk art in the Tang and Song dynasties ( AD) in China. It was referred to as luozi in ancient China and has influenced the forming of decorative knotwork in neighboring countries. All the knots are tied using only one piece of thread, and each basic knot is named according to its shape and meaning. By repeating or combining basic knots, or adding other

2 decorative articles with auspicious patterns, the folk artist can make various Chinese knot artworks that are colorful, beautiful, meaningful and auspicious. The works are usually given such names as Abundant Prosperity Happiness Plus Longevity Double Blessing Good Fortune as You Wish Pleasant Journey, etc., expressing deep longing and best wishes. 2. Dough Sculpture Artisan: Guo Xutao Dough sculpture, also called dough flower or dough modeling, is a popular folk art originated in China s Shandong province. It is made mainly from glutinous rice flour. Just with her ingenious hands and some simple tools, the folk artist can turn the few lumps of colored dough into expressive and lively figurines in a matter of minutes. 3. Handmade Paper Craft Artisan: Guo Xutao Paper craft in its broad sense refers to all paper-related crafts including papermaking; in its narrow sense, it refers to the collection of art forms employing paper or card as the primary artistic medium for the creation of plane or three-dimensional objects. It lends itself to a wide range of techniques, as it can for instance be folded, cut, glued, molded, stitched, or layered, and

3 even employing high-tech means such as laser. 4. The Weng-School Peking Opera Mask Painting Artist: Yang Qiang The Weng-school Peking Opera masks are stage-type masks that mainly apply to the Jing (male character with painted face) and Chou (clown) roles, and can be used to reveal personality and differentiate between the hero and the villain. 5. Chinese Calligraphy Artist: Yang Qiang Chinese calligraphy is an ancient art of Chinese character writing. Having evolved from the oracle-bone inscription, stone-drum inscription and bronze inscription in the pre-qin era to the seal script and clerical script authorized by the first Emperor of Qin, to the cursive script of East-Han, the regular script of Wei and the running script of Jin Dynasty, calligraphy in China never lost its artistic appeal. Chinese calligraphy is a unique visual art. Chinese character is an important element in Chinese calligraphy, as the latter grew from Chinese culture and Chinese character is an essential part of Chinese culture. Therefore, the reliance on Chinese character is the hallmark that differentiates Chinese calligraphy from other types of calligraphy.

4 Evening Performance Programme of the Shijingshan Folk Art Troupe Wednesday 1 st February 7PM show at CBA Center MC: Su Ying 1. Chinese Folk Dance the Festival Yangko Performers: Wang Li, Zhao Puyu, Fang Xiaoyan The cheerful Yangko dance celebrates the affluence of life and is used to build up the festive atmosphere Chinese Acrobatics the Diabolo Plate Spinning Performer: Ji Xuewei China s acrobatic art dates back thousands of years, and is a treasured cultural heritage of the Chinese nation. 3. Peking Opera Fairy Gives Flowers to the Earth Performer: Wang Li The Peking Opera piece tells a Buddhist story of a fairy sent by the Buddha to give curing flowers to Vimalakīrti, whose illness was learnt by the Buddha during his teaching trip to Lingshan Mountain. With the aid of two long silk ribbons, the performer portrays the miraculous image of a fairy riding on

5 the wind. 4. Traditional Chinese Folk Magic Performer: Li Yang Traditional Chinese folk magic is an ancient folk art of the Han ethnic group. It has been performed in theatres, on the streets and on the occasion of celebrations in Hangzhou since the Southern Song Dynasty ( AD). 5. Folk Dance South of the Rosy Clouds Performer: Zhao Puyu This is a folk dance of the Dai ethnic group. The dancer uses her gestures and dance movements to depict the grace and limberness of the peacock. 6. Kunqu Opera Peony Pavilion Travelling in the Garden Performer: Fang Xiaoyan This popular Kunqu Opera tells the magical love story between Du Liniang, the daughter of an eminent official and Liu Mengmei, a young scholar. Travelling in the Garden is a classical scene in the Peony Pavilion. In this scene, against her father s bidding for her to stay inside like a lady, Du Liniang sneaks out to play in the garden, where she falls asleep and meets Liu Mengmei in her dream.

6 7. Pipa Solo Jasmine Flower & Water Village in My Dream Performer: Zhong Yunqian With a history of over two thousand years, the Pipa (or the Chinese lute) is one of the most ancient national musical instruments of China. The folk song Jasmine Flower from China s Jiangsu province is popular all over the world. Its sweet and delicate tune expresses people s longing for truth, goodness and beauty in a reserved manner. 8. Face-Changing of the Sichuan Opera Performer: Li Yang Face-changing is a stunt in the Sichuan Opera. The change of faces represents the change of feelings at heart. It is a form of art performance that turns the invisible, abstract emotions into visible and concrete images. 9. Uygur Dance The Passionate Tambourine Performer: Wang Li, Zhao Puyu, Fang Xiaoyan, Ji Xuewei Featuring the tambourine, a unique percussion instrument of the Uygur ethnic group, the dance celebrates the passionate and free spirit of the Uygur women in Xinjiang Autonomous Region.

7 Alternative performances: 1. Classical Chinese Folk Dance Pearblossom Romance This performance is a combination of traditional Chinese opera and folk dance. The dancers portray elegant and vivacious female characters in Chinese opera with their dancing movements. 2. Classical Chinese Dance Like the Fragrance of an Orchid This classical dance depicts the humbleness, elegance and nobility of the orchid flower. 3. Song the Drunken Beauty 4. Women s Duet Aroma of Rice Dumplings 5. Peking Opera the Water Peddler Huang Guiying, daughter of a high official, is engaged with Li Yangui, whose father was wrongly put in jail. Guiying s father wants to break the engagement, but Guiying has already fallen in love with Li Yangui. One day, maid takes Guiying out in the garden, hoping the beautiful scenery could relieve her sorrows.

8 That day Li Yangui happens to be selling water outside that garden. Maid takes the opportunity to arrange a meeting between the two, discussing their marriage. 6. Pipa Solo Flowery Moonlit River in Spring