Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 124

International Conference on Contemporary Education, Social Sciences and Humanities (ICCESSH 2017)

Analysis on Cultural Characteristics and Art

Jia Yang
Sichuan Normal University
Chengdu, China

Abstract—The author has made some thinking on the cultural especially the In-depth research on primordial, regeneration of
characteristics and art development of Dunhuang dance art. This Dunhuang art is great significance. At the same time, the
article analyzes the cultural characteristics of the Dunhuang successful performance of the "Dunhuang dream”," Silk Road
dance, and points out that Dunhuang dance has the common Flower Rain "and other large national quality dance drama
character of popular aesthetics characteristics, and the freedom based on the based on the background of Dunhuang theme
and unrestrained spirit of the image and the rational and Inspires people to the great interest in Dunhuang culture, also
compassionate feelings, and analyses the regeneration of the makes more people paying close attention and thinking about
modelling art form in the Dunhuang dance, proposes the
the further development of the Dunhuang dance. The article
regeneration of the Dunhuang dance pose, as well as the
makes some thinking on the cultural characteristics and art
regeneration of Dunhuang dance pose and the regeneration of the
form. This article also analyzes the unique charm of Dunhuang
development analysis of Dunhuang dance art.
dance art regeneration. It makes the elaboration from the three
aspects of abundant aesthetic style and experience and the II. THE C ULTURAL CHARACTERISTICS OF D UNHUANG
combination of modern art techniques and traditional culture, DANCE
and the aesthetic space development of the Dunhuang dance with
human as the medium. Finally, it proposes the opinions on the A. Common Characteristics of the Popular Aesthetics
basic concept of Dunhuang dance art development, and considers
that it should be made thinking from two aspects of creative
Dunhuang mogao grottoe is a huge art treasure house of
thinking and technological development, commercialization dance, music, fine arts. Almost all the caves are reserved dance
development. pattern of rich modelling. It is rich dance image in the
Dunhuang frescoes, which inspires the artistic inspiration in
Keywords—Dunhuang dance; cultural characteristics; art China modern dance artists, such as “the heavenly maids
development scatter blossoms” created by the famous Peking Opera artist;
Mei Lanfang is based on Dunhuang frescoes [1]. When Mei
Lanfang created the works, he referred to the image of all sorts
I. INTRODUCTION
of flying Apsaras in the Dunhuang frescoes, cancelled the
Dunhuang dance is originated from Dunhuang grotto shake sleeve in the original clothing, and changed it to two
frescoes, is the new type classical dancing created by China long silks, strived to perfectly display the flying Apsaras image
dance art workers in combination with resurrection of historical in the fresco. The performance of work got a great sensation
materials. It is different from the body rhyme genre and Han and recognition, is the art work of China in the earlier time
and Tang dynasties genre in the classical dancing, therefore, based on Dunhuang fresco art. Seen from the layout of the
the dance academic circle considers that it is classical genre - Dunhuang frescoes, it refers to the methods of western
Dunhuang dance. With deep excavation and reengineering of perspective, there are Buddha land heavenly music on the top,
China dance artists to the Dunhuang frescoes, the graceful and folk songs and dances on the bottom, in which, it includes
Dunhuang frescoes in the static state has been continuously a lot of myths and legends, with line art as the main structure.
regenerating to be the unique dynamic art form of Dunhuang Created by the ancient painter art, it is architected the different
dance. That is to say, according to the native art data such as standard and a well-organized form characteristics. In general,
Dunhuang grotto frescoes, grottoes colorful frescoes and it presents the soul-stirring and amazing of the extensive and
grottoes unearthed literature as the material is the new art form profound rich connotation characteristics. That is the grand
created by the artist with using the modern artistic thinking and details of the Dunhuang dance creation. Dunhuang fresco is the
dance creation technique. Dunhuang dance is the perfect product of religious period. The creation of Dunhuang dance
combination of traditional culture and modern art and vocabulary also has strong natural religious color. The artists
continuously exceeds and develops, when static Dunhuang interpret Buddhist philosophical connotations through the
frescoes to regenerate into dynamic Dunhuang dance art form dance modelling, develop and expand the compassionate
is also greatly enhancing the value of Dunhuang culture, feelings, objectively meet and reflect the general public
deepens the research of Dunhuang studies. In the overall common aesthetic ideal, had a positive aesthetic empathy.
background of the global economic and cultural integration,
today we deeply excavate and remodel China classic art culture,

Copyright © 2017, the Authors. Published by Atlantis Press.

B. Flying Apsaras’s Image of A Free Spirit just the interpretation for the niceness, but also is infiltrated in
The image of flying Apsaras in the Dunhuang mogao the profound Buddhist compassionate feelings.
grottoes can be seen everywhere, with freedom, elegant, and
bold and unrestrained artistic visual impact. Flying Apsaras is III. THE REGENERATION OF THE D UNHUANG D ANCE
originally from Buddhist art, represents Heaven palace god and MODELLING AND ART F ORM
xiāngyīn Xiangyin god [2]. In the nearly five hundred caves in The dance in the Dunhuang frescoes can be roughly divided
the Mogao grottoes, there are more than two hundred caves into two major categories of Heaven palace and secular music,
which have flying Apsaras statues. They are in different In the heaven palace moon skill music, it is divided into the
attitude, full of spirit and energy; around the statue of painted heavenly palace skill music, flying Apsaras skill music,
sculpture alongside. It can be seen that in the changes of Dharma protector silk music and etc. Secular music can be
thousand years, almost every dynasty all had the different divided into Buddhist pilgrim skill music and other several
flying Apsaras image, and its modelling was continuous major categories. In short, there are flying Apsaras dance,
evolvement with the change of the history and culture. The heavenly palace skill dance, Buddha skill dance and other types.
aesthetic characteristic of the Dunhuang flying Apsaras lies in It records and condenses the dance image in different periods
“flying without wings", and lies in the expression of "freedom”. of ancient time in China is also part of a page of thick and
The production and development of this particular image of heavy colors in the cultural history of Chinese art. The
flying Apsaras in Dunhuang frescoe has concentrated the emergence of the full-length dance drama "Silk Road Flower
energy and efforts of the artists in different periods, shows the Rain" plays a vital role in promoting the formation of
unique expressive force and culture deposits of ancient painting Dunhuang dance genres in China. In the following, through
art, and shows the yearning and desire of the ancient artists for taking the full-length dance drama "Silk Road Flower Rain" as
freedom. In the art of "flying Apsaras" space, it is based on the example, the author briefly describe the regeneration of
freedom as the aesthetic basis, at the same time, embodies the Dunhuang modelling and dance art form.
highly praise to the human nature itself to the art spirit, and the
artistic conception of refutation to the feudal ethics, and A. The Regeneration of the Modelling of Dunhuang Dance
thought, spiritual freedom and bold and unrestrained. From this,
it generates the modelling design and performance of flying Before the 1980s of last century, the common modelling of
Apsaras in the Dunhuang dance embodies the romantic charm China dance is relatively single, except of having the popular
of the frescoes in the flying Apsaras, also vividly expresses the dance form of the strong Cultural Revolution era color, the
traditional Chinese aesthetics characteristics, especially the dances which has national culture characteristics was also very
pursuit of aesthetics of the artistic conception Intergeneration dull and poor. In order to rebuild the traditional culture of folk
in the Chinese dance aesthetics dancing, to break the rigid situation of the national dance and,
some artists who had the responsibility were bearing the work
of further absorbing material of Dunhuang mogao grottoes ,
C. Rationality and Compassionate Feelings of Dunhuang
actively explored the dance form of Chinese nation connotation.
Dance
The broad ideological connotations and rich dance resources
Since Buddhism was introduced into China, it is connected has become the nutrients source of artists to absorb. The vivid
with China traditional rites and music. Dunhuang culture not lively dancing posture of the dancers do not stick to one pattern,
only inherits the traditional culture of China, but also is the the clear pure and fresh and changeful modelling and elegant
development and exploitation of Buddhist thought. The reveal dance skirt, the wiggle wipes all constitute a beautiful picture
of the Dunhuang frescoes to the traditional Chinese artistic which is greatly inspires the dance modelling creative
spirit in essence is human survival and existence. Cultural spirit inspiration of the dancing artists. The artists had made several
is not only a philosophical problem, but also belongs to the in-depth research on Dunhuang, and collected absorbed and
aesthetic problems [3]. And the culture and art reality displays used for reference for the dancing postures of the dancers in the
the realization and awakening of human to the art g, also frescoes, and through the dynamic analysis to the dancing
displays the artistic creativity. It can be said that culture and art posture in the Dunhuang frescoes, conducted the modelling
represent the perceptual figurative side of the human spirit, also research from the aspects of rhythm, speed, direction and other
is the symbol of human beings continuously exceeding the aspects, such as conducted the repeated research on the still
experience to pursuit of perfection. As the art form of the dancing posture of the dancers in the fresco, have concluded
perceptual and the rational combination, Dunhuang dance that the richness of dance line fluency and gesture in the
reflects the unity of spirit pursuit and discipline and regulation. Dunhuang frescoes and other modelling rule , combined with
As the form of dance of strong color of Buddhism, Dunhuang the traditional dance modeling concepts and vocabulary,
dance is not simply expounds the pursuit of Buddhism, but intergraded the dance pose of the western regions and the
from the angle of modern art performance, shines the eternal central plains region eventually created the large dance drama
bright rational radiance in the Buddhist culture. This rational "Silk Road Flower Rain" as the Dunhuang dance art form of
spirit makes the art form of Dunhuang dance always keeping a the mature symbol. The success of the dance drama" Silk Road
clear direction, does not depend on the popular, and does not Flower Rain" laid the solid foundation for people afterwards
make a strained interpretation in the world. At the same time for widely accepting and loving and popular Dunhuang dance.
this kind of rational spirit also shows the respect and praise for
life. In the pursuit of beauty, it reflects the strong passion of life.
When we watch the graceful Dunhuang dance, feel that it is not

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B. The Regeneration in Dunhuang Dance Form accompanied by music. In the inheritance and evolution of
The representation of the Dunhuang dance art form mainly thousands of years, the Dunhuang native art has been taking
is using the two ways. Chinese traditional culture as the soil, striving to absorb and to
inherit. Due to the geographical position, it forms the type of
One is dancing inheritance and innovation. The artists make integration of Chinese traditional culture and foreign culture,
reference to the dance native plain image of the dancers in after then, Dunhuang dance also inherited the characteristics of
Dunhuang frescoes and redesign the visual statue, in the dance later, and integrated into the content of era, and formed the
modelling, clothing modelling, color, etc. of the dance image, striking and unique Dunhuang dance style. On this basis,
and in smooth dancing posture line and gesture and other Dunhuang dance also is integrated with Chinese classical dance
aspects, in the dance rhythm, speed, direction and so on of the elements, and has formed the rich dance steps and hand shape
dance rhythm, the artists have made the inheritance and system. Compared with the dancing posture in the Dunhuang
innovation boldly, have formed a complete set of relatively frescoes, the Dunhuang dance is reshaped based on the modern
mature dance pose, highlighted the fairy alike, elegant clever, aesthetic and design, has become connotation rich, gentle and
mysterious and distant characteristics. Such as the dance drama solid, and flexible and changeable, with rhythmic vitality, has
"Silk Road Flower Rain" dance, the performers perform the rich China nationality colors, and presents the artistic charm
solo dance, dance for two people, group dance, flying Apsaras beyond geographical, borders, so that has formed a rich and
dance and other unique distinctive modelling, the rich internal colorful art experience.
implication of the body shape, the extreme beautiful movement
rhythm had the great impression, and got the audience widely B. The Combination of Modern Art Technique and
praise and appreciation of the industry experts. Second, the Traditional Culture
overall dance design is harmony and unity. The artists should
be first based on the stage performance of the in Dunhuang Dunhuang dance creation is integrated with the Chinese
dance, with an emphasis on visual effect of art stage, with traditional ritual and music culture and Buddhist thought, also
strong Buddhism color and full-bodied flavor architecture stage is added the concept elements of the epochal character. As the
background music and stage of the Western Regions, achieve regeneration art, it finally is showing the profound culture
harmony and unity of the whole dance, form the visual impact connotation of Dunhuang based on the perspective of
and auditory shock of the dance, make Dunhuang dance, the modernization, is the important inheritance and innovation to
unique and wonderful flower in the dance circle to radiate the the of Dunhuang culture. In the Dunhuang frescoes the various
charming luster. Such as the dance drama "Silk Road Flower forms of dancers and some dancing pattern with Chinese
Rain" is setting the different styles through eight stages, from traditional culture color, not only is precipitation of the China
various angles, showing the northwest scenery magnificent traditional ritual and music culture, also represents the spiritual
grand and luxurious palace interior. In the clothing design, it connotation of western Buddhism. The reflection of Chinese
was mainly based on the tang dynasty clothing, focused to traditional Confucian culture and Buddhism culture in
display the various kind of apparel modeling in the tang Dunhuang native art constitutes the cultural system of national
dynasty period. The stage music was using the traditional folk characteristics. Due to long time, dynasties change, wars
drama and living museum tune for the reference. On the frequently, time lost, these culture is gradually being forgotten.
development of the melody, it focused on transforms from, Dunhuang dance is the developing and expanding as well as
with freedom rhythm. In the melody, it had strong ethnic the remodeling of Dunhuang culture, and is the perfect
characteristics, and the beautiful dancing posture of the dancer combination of the traditional culture and art and modern
is more showed the clever and poetry. The gorgeous dress, culture. Its significance is very significant. What we see in the
beautiful music, fantasy lights, flying Apsaras were leisurely dance drama "Silk Road Flower Rain" is that in the form of
coming, they are were dancing with wind from time to time, dance, it shows the tang dynasty as the background reappears
and sometimes bowed the hand and extended the arm, the multinational economic cultural blend scene of flourishing
sometimes were scattered petals, brought people into the period of Tang Dynasty. On the basis of the showing
kingdom of heaven like a dream fairyland, and brought great Dunhuang native dance, it praises the human freedom, Human
artistic enjoyment to the audiences. life genuine feeling reveals and denounces the evil and dark,
embodies the spirit of The Times of peace and development, is
also in the basis of inheriting Dunhuang native art, and reflects
IV. THE UNIQUE CHARM OF THE D UNHUANG DANCE ART
the era characteristic, realizes the perfect combination of
REGENERATION traditional culture and modern art.
A. Have Abundant Aesthetic Style and Experience
C. The Aesthetic Space Expanded by Man-Made Media
There are unique styles of different periods reserved in
Dunhuang frescoes, with ever-changing dance art form. There Dunhuang frescoes is originated from Dunhuang mogao
are some fairies leaning against the railing and overlooking, grottoes, Dunhuang mogao grottoes which is located in the top
and some fairies freely flying Apsaras, and some heroic King of the bluff of east of Dunhuang Mingsha mountain. The
Kong and some gentle and dignified Bodhisattva and etc. Since artistic creation of painting and sculpture can only be made in
the Northern Liang, the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Western the cavern where has been dug well to repair the four walls
Wei Dynasty and the Northern Zhou Dynasty to Yuan dynasty, smooth and levelling. Due to these native art medium is made
the integration of the different dancing arts of the different out of stone, wood and plaster, through rain erosion and other
periods formed the system of different style dances influence of natural environment, it is very easy to be damaged
[5], combined with the influence of man-made destruction and

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other influences, the ecological art style in Dunhuang frescoes catered for the overseas market demand with the characteristic
has fuzzy, even being protected, it is difficult to withstand the of Chinese traditional culture, eventually, succeeded in creating
erosion of times and tide. And Dunhuang dance takes people as the quality fine repertoire integrated dancing, singing, and
the media of art, and gives the life vitality to Dunhuang art. music, created quite a stir in the world. Combined with the
The dance is communicating the arts through the thought and dance drama “Silk Road Flower Rain" as a national
emotional element, and takes the people as emotion and artistic representative of the artistic high-quality work, under the
symbol, compared with the Dunhuang frescoes, it is more original brand effect, it is enduring popularity, as well as
flexible and changeable, and is more able to express thoughts further enhanced its brand image, and continuously explored
and feelings incisively and vividly. The human body beauty in the combination of business and culture development path,
the dance art itself has the cultural characteristics. The with continuous innovation, created the derivative of the series
presentation of human body to the dance is integrated into deep of cultural products related to "Silk Road Flower Rain", such as
emotions, combined the beauty of dancing posture of the fresco cartoon modelling, artwork, books, discs and other products,
and the human body dancing, it makes the Dunhuang culture formed to provide a system as the main body of the dancing art
vivid and sensible. As an art medium, Dunhuang dance is brand, further expanded the spreading scope of Dunhuang
expressing the emotion with rich human movement, is just dance art, had a huge impact.
different from fresco and painted sculpture which convey
emotion in line color, but is more able to show the emotional
rhythm and change of the people, thus makes the audience REFERENCES
producing strong emotional resonance. In the Dunhuang dance,
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Chinese nation to the world nation culture and arts academic
circle, has far-reaching influence, and has great inspiration for
later generations of modern art creation. For the development
of Dunhuang dance art, we should focus on the big background
of the globalization of economy and culture, and use the
modern creative thinking, modern dance techniques to further
excavate the development of Dunhuang art. The creative
development of Dunhuang dance art requires constant
innovation, dare to break through. On the brand resources
development, with the help of the modern advanced science
and technology, especially the digital technology, we should
conform to the trend of internationalization of cultural industry
development.

VI. CONCLUSION
For the development and utilization of the Dunhuang dance
art resources, we should combine with the actual market
demand fully, make rational strategic planning, artistic
originality implement the team market commercialization to
create the culture brand, strive for the maximization of social
benefits and economic benefits. For example, in the of the
creative process of the “dance drama” "Dunhuang charm", the
designer firstly developed the quality work development
strategy through market research, and invited the expert at
home and abroad to make the argumentation evaluation, and
made the overseas markets as the main development direction,

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