The Construction of “Traditional”: Imaginative Reshaping of Chinese Classical Dance in an International Context

Article Information

Creative Arts Educ Ther (2016) 2(2):49–61DOI: 10.15534/CAET/2016/2/15

The Construction of “Traditional”: Imaginative Reshaping of Chinese Classical Dance in an International Context

“传统”的构建：国际背景下中国古典舞的想象性重塑

Tian Tian

田湉

Beijing Dance Academy, China

Abstract

Chinese Classical Dance has been developing for more than 60 years. This art form, which represents China to the world, is typically considered a national symbol. The author once taught Chinese Classical Dance courses and rehearsals as a visiting scholar at Cincinnati University in the United States. During this visit, she used her own experience and introspection to create two dance pieces.

This paper discusses the imaginative reshaping of Chinese Classical Dance in an international context. The author highlights the importance of reshaping Chinese Classical Dance, as it is a kind of cultural salute to traditional Chinese culture, and is on the verge of being lost as an art form. Additionally, Chinese Classical Dance is not only an artistic container for the ancient and profound Chinese culture and civilization, but also is seen as an timeless, utopian world that has long provided China with a sense of spiritual care for all of humanity.

This paper covers these key areas: firstly, the author’s thoughts on why Chinese Classical Dance needs to be reshaped, according to her American students’ perspectives on Chinese Classical Dance; secondly, during the rehearsals of the dance pieces named Chiaroscuro and Coexistence, the author considers how Chinese Classical Dance could be represented in an international context; thirdly, reflections on how to achieve the imaginative reshaping of Chinese Classical Dance; and lastly, conclusions regarding the physical practice of Chinese Classical Dance, as well as common human spiritual values and introspection that can be found in Chinese Classical Dance. This article includes video materials of the choreography of Chinese Classical Dance.

摘要

中国古典舞已经发展了60多年。这种面向世界代表中国的艺术形式，通常被认为是一种国家象征。作者曾在美国辛辛那提大学作为访问学者，教授中国古典舞蹈课程和作品排练。在访问期间，她依据自己的专业背景和经验，以及对传统的反思内省，创作了两个“古典”舞蹈作品。

本文讨论了中国古典舞在国际背景下的想象性重塑。作者强调了重塑中国古典舞的重要性，对于中国古典舞处在失去艺术形式的边缘的现状，它是对中国传统文化的一种文化致敬。此外，中国古典舞蹈不仅是古老而深邃的中国文化以及华夏文明的艺术容器，也被视为一个永恒的乌托邦世界，长期以来中国为全人类提供的精神关怀感。

本文涵盖了这些关键领域：首先，根据作者的美国学生对中国古典舞蹈的观点，作者阐释了为什么中国古典舞需要重塑的思考；其次，在名为“明暗”和“共存”的舞蹈排练期间，作者思考了中国古典舞在国际背景下如何表现；第三，思考如何实现中国古典舞的想象性重塑；最后，基于中国古典舞创作实践，在中国古典舞中找到人类共同的精神价值观和内省。本文包括中国古典舞蹈的编排影像资料。