China Shadow: Xiaoguang Shadow Map the Great World

Chinese shadow opera is an art form that integrates light and shadow, art, carvings, music, singing, and performance. After the white curtains under the lighting of the shadow artist, the shadow enlargement uses the carved characters or animal performances carved with animal skin, cardboard, plastic board, etc., and is accompanied by music, singing, storyline and other forms. Most of the shadow dramas and vocals are interacting with local opera, singing by the artist while manipulating and singing, which is wonderful.

In the long history of more than a thousand years, the shadow drama has gradually spread to most of China, forming dozens of categories of different regions and different characteristics. With the intersection of the Silk Road, Chinese shadow dramas have been introduced to Japan, Arabia, Britain, France, Germany, Italy and other countries and regions. Legend has it that in the 18th century, German poet Goethe also used Chinese shadow play to celebrate his birthday.

The historical source of Chinese shadow drama is long. Its light source used oil lamps and steam lights, and later used electric lights. Since then, with the changes in the times, the props and performance forms of shadow play have also produced many changes and development, such as the fireworks that imitate the cooking of the bullish fire, and look at the mirror exquisitely, etc., especially close to life. The movie window curtain has developed from six feet in the past to ten meters today; performance manipulation has changed from one or two to a dozen people; the lights have also developed from the past few lights to the current row lights.

French artist Rodin once said: "The source of art lies in the inner truth, your shape, and your colors, and you must convey emotions." As a photographer born in the family of dramatic art, the protection and promotion are included in The Chinese shadow drama of the "Human Intangible Cultural Heritage List" is my inconspicuous responsibility. For more than 20 years, I have been paying attention and filming Chinese shadow, running the theater, going to the mines, and going to the countryside. I have visited sculpture artists and old shadow artists and collectors from all over the country.

According to the firefire of the film artists in the past, shadow play has become a form of artistic performance with national characteristics and rustic atmosphere. Because it is in line with the aesthetic taste of the people, it is deeply popular. Chinese shadow often shows cultural history, folk customs, etc., telling Chinese stories, showing Chinese wisdom, promoting Chinese spirit, demonstrating Chinese power, and making important contributions to promoting and spreading Chinese culture and international cultural exchanges.

(Author: Cheng Guimin, a member of the Chinese Photographers Association, consultant of the Hebei Provincial Photographers Association)

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