Characteristics of Chinese classical dance works performed in Taiwan

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the characteristics of Chinese classical dance works performed in Taiwan. Twelve dance works performed by dancers ranging from groups of elementary school children to a professional dance troupe in Taiwan were recorded on VTR and analyzed for composition, outer images and inner images. In order to analyze the compositions of the dances, the theme, genders, music, hand props and movements as dance elements were described on the VTR. Also, in order to analyze and measure dance images through a semantic differential method, a questionnaire with 35 scales for outer images and a questionnaire with 46 scales for inner images were applied. Raw data for two experiments were obtained from 60 and 62 university students, respectively, who responded to these scales for each of the dance works. The results were as follows: 1. It was found that the characteristics of “wen wu” and those of “wu wu” existed, but that both of the characteristics were different. In particular, “wen wu” was expressed in terms of lyrical content, the grace of court women, scenery content, and the atmosphere of wall paintings and sculpture in Tunhuang, using hand props made of fabric, stringed instruments, and curved movements using mainly the upper limbs and upper body. The outer images were obtained in numerous directions in three dimensions, involving “kinds of movements, and space-time variation”, “toe balance and turning while standing”, and “non-transfer by the whole body” and in few directions in a single dimension, such as “lifting of a partner”. However, these dimensions were similar to “wu wu”. The inner images were strongly portrayed in a “flexibility” dimension, and in a light “weight” dimension. On the other hand, “wu wu” was expressed through substance of content through shows of force using weapons, hand props such as swords and shields, percussion instruments, and with movements involving turning of the upper body using mainly straight lines. The outer images were obtained differently with “wen wu” in two dimensions, using techniques such as “one-legged balance and jumping”, and hand props. The inner images were strongly imaged in a stiff “flexibility” dimension, and in a wide “spatiality” dimension. 2. It was found that the characteristics of Chinese classical dance were similar to those of dances performed in Taiwan. In particular, both kinds of dance works were similar in composition in that they were performed mainly by women, using concerto music, and with hand props. Also, the outer images of both were similar in four dimensions such as “kinds of movements and space-time variation”, “toe balance and turning while standing”, “no transfer by whole body” and “lifting of partner”, and the inner images of both were similar in that the directions involved two dimensions, such as “esthetic” in the beauty dimension and “harmoniousness” in the harmony dimension.