Latest news with #Kunqu
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Global Times: Chinese opera's storytelling embeds philosophical depth in the core of stories
Global Times explores neo-Chinese aesthetics blending tradition, innovation, and tech to engage global, young audiences. Beijing, China, May 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The pursuit of beauty has been a timeless thread weaving throughout human history. The distinct beauty of Chinese aesthetics is not only embodied in every aspect of Chinese life, but also increasingly bringing spiritual enjoyment to people of all cultural backgrounds in the form of artistic expression. The vibrant neo-Chinese aesthetics is taking hold, blending the rich Chinese heritage with contemporary creativity, offering a unique aesthetic experience, and enriching people's spiritual world. In this series of neo-Chinese aesthetics, the Global Times is presenting articles to decode the spiritual beauty reflected in various art forms. In a sunlit studio in Beijing, Phoebe Haines, a British mezzo-soprano with 15 years of Western opera experience, gently curls her wrist into a lanhua zhi, or "orchid finger," a quintessential gesture in Kunqu Opera, one of the oldest extant forms of Chinese opera. Her voice, trained in bel canto, softens into the delicate, nasal tones of The Peony Pavilion, winning loud applause from the audience. "I am not Chinese, and I cannot represent Chinese culture. But I hope to form my own unique observations through my own research and reports, and to spread the excellent traditional Chinese culture," Haines, a doctoral candidate who is studying at the School of Arts, Peking University, told the Global Times. Haines' journey with Kunqu Opera began back in 2016, when she was invited to participate in an international young artists festival in Suzhou, East China's Jiangsu Province. "During the program, for the first time I heard Kunqu and found its beauty in both visuals and melodies," Haines recalled. Although she did not understand Chinese opera at the time, she was captivated. In 2022, Haines had a chance to participate in a program for UN Chinese Language Day, where she learned Kunqu via online sessions. Later, she spent two weeks in Suzhou taking intensive Kunqu courses. She found that Kunqu required a different kind of concentration and patience compared to Western opera. Take the character Liu Mengmei in The Peony Pavilion for example. Even though the singing of the part is slow, one also has to perform very specific gestures throughout the performance. For Haines, Kunqu has opened a door to learn a lot about different facets of Chinese culture. Haines is not alone in her fascination with traditional Chinese opera. Khantisan Pinkhiew, a master's student at the Confucius Institute of Chulalongkorn University in Thailand, first learned about Peking Opera through a pop song in high school. Drawn to the makeup and costumes, he has since then been learning Kunqu and Peking Opera excerpts and gaining knowledge about ancient China, Chinese etiquette and Chinese culture. The allure of traditional Chinese opera lies not only in its visual and auditory appeal but also in its profound aesthetic essence. Yue Opera performer He Saifei said that the "spiritual essence" of Chinese aesthetics lies in achieving a balance between realism and artistic abstraction. "Stage performance demands the translation of characters' inner psyche into precise physical expression - such as the 'rhythm of descending stairs' and 'direction of gazes' - requiring both meticulous emotional analysis and exacting theatrical execution to manifest the distinctive spiritual essence inherent in Chinese aesthetics," she told the Global Times. As more and more foreigners have a chance to experience Chinese opera and some even started leaning it, philosophy professor Liu Yuedi from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences views such cross-cultural engagement as part of "reception aesthetics," where foreign perspectives enrich Chinese art without diluting its essence. "Fine Chinese art must balance self-expression with global understanding," he told the Global Times. Contemporary storytelling For Liu, the core of neo-Chinese aesthetics lies in "innovation," which means to "return to our roots and create something new." Nowhere is this clearer than in the dance drama A Dream of Red Mansions, which has won the prestigious Chinese dance award - the Lotus Award. The drama has captivated audiences nationwide with its innovative fusion of classical Chinese aesthetics and contemporary storytelling. The production, which reimagines the 18th-century literary masterpiece Dream of the Red Chamber, employs minimalist stage design inspired by traditional operas like Peking Opera and Kunqu Opera, using draped curtains, folding screens, and strategic lighting to create an ethereal, immersive atmosphere. For playwrights Cui Lei and Li Yicheng, adapting such a Chinese classic was a daunting yet motivating task. "Every Chinese person has their own version of Dream of the Red Chamber in their heart. The pressure to honor the original while offering something fresh was immense," Li Yicheng told the Global Times. The duo secluded themselves for a year, studying the novel's text and scholarly analyses before settling on an unconventional approach: centering the narrative on the "Twelve Beauties of Jinling" rather than the familiar love triangle of Lin Daiyu, Jia Baoyu, and Xue Baochai. "Neo-Chinese aesthetics isn't just about costumes or sets - it's about embedding philosophical depth into the story's core," Li emphasized. Audiences have responded passionately, with many viewers - particularly young women - reporting emotional resonance with the female protagonists' struggles. "Some fans have watched it seven or eight times, finding new layers of connection each time. Our goal was to translate classical themes into universal emotions that speak to today's values," Cui told the Global Times. By balancing reverence for tradition with daring reinvention, the dance drama A Dream of Red Mansions exemplifies what Li calls "cultural confidence with a contemporary pulse." "True innovation isn't about discarding the past - it's about making ancient wisdom vibrate in harmony with today's heartbeat," Cui emphasized. Modern beats revive parables Similarly bold is Yu Gong Moves Mountains, a musical that injects the ancient fable of perseverance with hip-hop beats and rock ballads. The story originates from Liezi: Tang Wen, a Taoist text from the Warring States Period (475BC-221BC) that tells the tale of Yu Gong's perseverance in the face of great challenges, with his descendants continuing to dig through mountains without stopping. The musical, however, reimagines the legend through song and dance, vividly portraying a series of real and moving stories about contemporary farmers at the foot of Wangwu Mountain as they work to escape poverty and achieve prosperity. What is particularly noteworthy is that the production not only breathes new life into this ancient Chinese folktale through the youthful medium of musical theater, but also innovatively incorporates rap - a modern musical language - to bring to life six characters, including Yu Gong and Zhi Sou. Music is the soul of a musical. By blending rock, folk, hip-hop, and other musical styles, Yu Gong Moves Mountains creates a distinctive musical identity. For instance, the use of the suona, an instrument rich in folk characteristics and full of penetrating power, combined with local folk tunes, expresses the deep affection of the people of Wangwu Mountain for their homeland. Zhou Yingchen, director of the musical, told the Global Times that creating a musical in essence is the implementation and practice of the spirit and concept of Chinese aesthetics. "The aesthetics of neo-Chinese style, as a direction or a phenomenon, is also a path that we creators of Chinese musicals have unconsciously discovered," said Zhou, adding that along this path, they are seeking a balance between traditional Chinese stage art such as operas and a form of stage expression embraced by today's young people. Tech on the modern stage Indeed, today's youth are reshaping the aesthetics of stages. He Saifei noted that Yue Opera, one of the most popular Chinese opera genres, has broken into the mainstream, with actresses like Chen Lijun and Li Yunxiao becoming newly emerging top-tier stars in traditional opera circles, attracting more attention from young audiences, especially Generation Z. This phenomenon helps showcase the truly classic essence of opera art, while moving people with high-quality content. "We still need to engage in rational discussion about the balance between preservation and innovation in heritage transmission, while emphasizing the transmission of the art form's core values," He Saifei told the Global Times. With the increasing use of new technologies like VR and immersive installations, which create unique stage experiences, productions such as The New Dragon Gate Inn have gained popularity among young audiences. He remarked that "as long as audiences find value in it and are willing to attend theater performances, these innovations are positive - as long as they uphold correct values and align with the narrative and artistic needs of the production." Liu said that the development of contemporary Chinese aesthetics has to accept technological innovation and include it within itself, because technology can be an auxiliary force for art, but it should never overwhelm art itself. The problem now is that there is no dynamic balance between technological empowerment and the humanistic core, and often technological innovation overwhelms artistic expression. Such directional bias is worth noting, the philosophy professor noted. The article first appeared in the Global Times: Company: Global Times Contact Person: Anna Li Email: editor@ Website: City: Beijing Disclaimer:This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies (including product offerings, regulatory plans and business plans) and may change without notice. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. 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Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Unbounded Rebirth: AÍMER Unveils the 2025SS Collection at China Fashion Week
BEIJING, March 25, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- AÍMER, the renowned fashion brand, made a striking statement at the China Fashion Week (Spring) with the unveiling of its highly anticipated 2025SS New Product Launch Show. The event, held on March 23, 2025, showcased AÍMER's commitment to breaking through boundaries and exploring unbounded aesthetics in the realm of site Unbounded RebirthUnder the guidance of the "Unbounded Rebirth" theme, AÍMER has embarked on a fashion exploration of tradition and future; nature and vitality; art and daily life. From the romantic poetry of lace to the natural rhythm of fabrics, or from the hidden beauty of underwear to the fashion expression of external wear, AÍMER uses delicate brushstrokes to outline the perfect integration of women's inner exploration and external artistic expression of flexibility and vitality. In the context of love, lace is not only a symbol of femininity but also a creative expression of its inner resilience and vitality. From the classic Acanthus leaf motif to the design of the leaf veins; from the artistic carving of the water-soluble petals with heavy texture to the cultural inheritance of Kunqu opera elements, AÍMER uses lace to weave an aesthetic journey that integrates nature and humanity. The timeless motif design of the Acanthus leaf, with its solemn and upright shape and symmetrical beauty, evokes a classical and elegant temperament. Its natural curves are cleverly combined with large, curved waves, and the silhouette is smooth and full of tension, presenting a dynamic beauty, like a poem out of classical mythology, conveying the vitality of tenacity and elegance. The perforated lace with a flower-patterned surface of the leaf vein element is breathable and refreshing and gives the bra a flexible rhythm so that daily wear can also become a double enjoyment of vision and touch, presenting a fashion chapter about site Classical & Contemporary CharmThe water-soluble flower-patterned lace panel with heavy work texture dance and flutter like a colorful feather dress, and each flower piece is carefully carved to show a unique artistic beauty. The simplicity reveals extraordinary quality, highlighting AÍMER's ultimate pursuit of details. The integration of Kunqu opera elements is an affectionate tribute to traditional culture. The embroidery process is used to outline dreamlike patterns, combining the beauty of Kunqu opera with the modern and fashionable design language, as if transplanting the gorgeous costumes from the Kunqu opera stage to the underwear. Inspired by the exquisite headdresses of Kunqu opera performers, the headdress is reinterpreted with a modern design approach, adding a blend of classical and contemporary charm to the overall look. A narrative between tradition and modernity, the collision of classics and fashion, makes each piece an aesthetic journey across time and site Romance & SimplicityThe beauty of balance; the charm of nature; the balance between romance and simplicity, function and comfort, and innerwear and outerwear are the diverse needs of modern women. Therefore, this season's new products are based on refinement and luxury, with a natural stretch and agility, which seems effortless but shows delicacy and sophistication in the details. Whether it is soft lace, glossy silk, or stretch mesh, the simplification of the design does not detract from the look. It is simple but not monotonous. The design adheres to the body's natural curves using no support or soft support to provide balance and stable protection. Natural fabrics are also a bridge between nature and the body; silk fabrics, linen textures, original linen color prints, etc., are smooth and natural and breathable. The balance between natural texture and modelling lines shows the temperament of freedom and elegance to the fullest, not being bound by the overly delicate appearance, showing a sense of relaxation and elegance. This balance is not only a respect for the female body but also a deep understanding of the aesthetics of life. Through the delicate design language, AÍMER provides modern women with a choice of underwear that is suitable for daily wear and shows personality, giving underwear a natural and free soul and allowing the wearer to feel the beauty of life in every detail. Structural Innovation, Diversified StylesIn exploring "Unbounded Rebirth", AÍMER brings infinite vitality to underwear and fashion collocation with technological innovation, process innovation and design language. The seamless three-dimensional tailoring opens up a new sense of fashion vision, allowing the underwear to show smooth lines and elegant silhouettes while fitting the body. The design of the leather splicing and weaving structure perfectly combines the effect of heavy industry retro with the simple appearance to create a cross-scene wearing experience of underwear. The addition of checks and stripes enhances the texture and three-dimensionality. With the change of body movements, it shows the trajectory of different dimensions, giving it a flexible vitality. AÍMER liberates underwear from a single-wearing scene and gives it more possibilities. Whether it's the hidden beauty of underwear or the fashion expression of wearing, each piece can show its unique charm in different combinations, redefining the fashion boundaries of underwear innovatively. This season's new arrivals also focus on showing a rich sense of styling through multi-layered matching and layering designs. Multi-layering, long and short matching, creates a rich visual effect, breaking through underwear's traditional boundaries and material site Epilogue"Unbounded Rebirth" is an exploration of the design language and dressing scheme that breaks through the boundaries around the values of "love, beauty and vitality" and realizes the value upgrade from "functional underwear" to "cultural wear" with innovative technology, diversified design and natural fabrics. This is an exploration of new life, new ideas, and new creativity, as well as an aesthetic journey that transcends time and space and breaks boundaries. AÍMER is committed to the mission of "creating beauty and delivering love", and explores the beauty of diversity with every woman. For more information on AÍMER's collections, visit AÍMER is a premium lingerie and apparel leader committed to making luxury accessible for all ages. The brand offers collections catering to diverse lifestyles, from foundational wear to everyday basics. The brand has expanded into a broader range of apparel, including loungewear, sleepwear, underwear, and basics for all body types and sizes. Known for its inclusive sizing, innovative fabric technologies, and focus on comfort and body positivity, AIMER continues to set the standard in accessible luxury. AÍMER Expands Global Footprint to Serve Growing Customer Base. To meet the demands of its expanding global clientele, the company has strategically extended its presence across key international hubs. The brand now operates flagship stores, family lifestyle malls, and department store outlets in prime locations including Singapore, Macau, Dubai, and other major cities. Complementing its offline network, an official international website has been launched for global shoppers ( ), integrating online and offline channels to deliver seamless worldwide experiences. Contact:Aimer Fashion PR TeamCompany Name: Aimer Co., Person: Jane JiEmail: aimergj@ Number: +86 13051822935City: Beijing, ChinaStay tuned for updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses of Aimer's 2025SS Collection on social media. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at in to access your portfolio
