Journal of Contemporary Educational Research

Research Article

The Influence of Contemporary , Used in the Choreographic Process of Chinese Mongolian dance Xiaoyu Mu* Shandong University , Weihai 264200, Shandong Province, China

Abstract: China is a country that has 55 nationalities. lian dance” and “”. Secondly, how The Chinese is a dance that also has 55 Contemporary dance elements can be used in Chinese varieties of folk . Chinese Mongolian dance is Mongolian dance. The third, whether using Contempo- one of those folk dances. The Chinese Mongolian rary dance elements in Chinese Mongolian dance has dance mentioned in this paper can also be interpreted as any disadvantages. In the fourth part, whether using an academically trained Chinese Mongolian dance. Contemporary dance elements in Chinese Mongolian dance has any advantages. Publication date: August, 2020 The Chinese folk dance is a symbol of nationality. Publication online: 31 August, 2020 The Chinese folk dance also represents the traditional *Corresponding author: Xiaoyu Mu, that has distinct characteristics and aes- [email protected] thetic. China has fifty-five officially recognized ethnic Nowadays, with the spread of western culture in Chi- minorities. Each nationality, each region and each type na, Chinese aesthetics have changed a lot for example in of dance carries it is own folk dance forms with unique relation to art, pace of life, thought patterns，mode of features and flavors. Folk dances directly reflect the emotion and so on. Therefore, a lot of people in China lifestyles and customs of a people (He yuan, 2014). Chi- are more interested in the diversity of dance. The first nese ethnic and folk dance represents a vast and varied reason for this is that diverse dance forms can express assortment of traditional dance styles. Chinese ethnic different people’s feelings and emotions (Darlene O’Ca- dance generally refers to the dance forms passed down diz, 2013). The second one is that diversity of dance among the many minority ethnic groups within China. can bring different visual effects to the audience. As a Their distinct ways of life reflect discrepancies in local result, innovative choreographers continuously reform topography, climate, and religious tradition. Therefore, Mongolian dance incorporating different dance elements each ethnic minority has their own dance style and into their own Chinese Mongolian dance work. For features because they live in different areas， have dif- example, Chinese Mongolian dance mixes Contempo- ferent living habits and different cultures. Over China’s rary dance elements and so on. In the course of devel- long history, the movements and style of each region’s opment national folk dance has its own characteristics, traditional ethnic and folk dances have undergone grad- but folk dance also actively absorbs and learns from the ual codification to the point where today they can be different kinds of dance features and advantages, espe- widely recognized in the dance world (Jia zuo guang, cially from Western Contemporary dance and western 1998). Contemporary dance training (Feng shuang bai, 2002). Mongolian dance is one of the 55 ethnic folk danc- Nowadays, Mongolian dance mixed with Contemporary es that have unique dance form, costumes, and props. dance element has been implemented in China. Howev- The Chinese Mongolian dance creations represent er, mixing Contemporary dance elements with Chinese real lives in their story plots and folk customs (Jia zuo Mongolian dance may be difficult because Contempo- guang,1998). In the dance form the Mongolian dance, rary dance in terms of dance movement, rhythm, narra- most of the dance movements are neat and most danc- tive and so on, have different characteristics to Chinese ers will do the same dance moves. Secondly, Chinese Mongolian dance. This essay will have five parts. The Mongolian dance has less the movements shape contrast first part is asking what we mean by “Chinese Mongo- (sdcfde San Diego, 2013 ). The third element of Mon-

Distributed under creative commons license 4.0 Volume 4;Issue 8 83 golian dance is that it has a large range of motion and choreographer from Taiwan (ravennafestival, 2010). the movements are flexible and free. Because Mongolia This dance tells the story of the life cycle of rice. It has has a vast land and there is a lot of grassland, animal flexible movements, diversification of shape and casual husbandry is Mongolia’s leading industry. It also was and comfortable dance costumes. The movements, the c known as a nationality on horseback by Chinese peo- dancer always repeat the same action. Although, the ple (China Highlights, 2016). Since Mongolia has vast dancer’s upper body movements is different, their legs prairie Mongolian dance has a lot of imitation animal movement is the same. This Contemporary dance works movements, such as those of geese, and horses. As a movements are simple and most are action rhythm of result, Mongolian dance has a lot of movements using change. Fluent movement has been is the symbol of the arms and shoulders, because these arm movements are Contemporary dance form. The Contemporary dance like people riding a horse (redianzongyi, 2014) and the work ‘Rice’ also has a lot of fluent movements. It also movements of flying geese (Amy45487, 2015). has a lot of the movement amplitude of variation. At the In relation to Mongolian dance props, Mongolia has Contemporary dance work beginning, there are have a lot of dance work with props such as chopsticks， no music that seems like the seeds lay quiet in the land. bowls, and a small sake wine cup (sdcfde San Diego, After with the dance movements amplitude of variation, 2013). In the Mongolian steppes, when the traditional there are have the vocal accompaniment. Contemporary festival comes，the people, in order to express their dance performance always the male and female perform joy, will sing, and will pick up small sake cups, bowls, together (Feng shuangbai, 2002). The Contemporary and chopsticks while dancing and singing. As a result, dance work ‘Rice’ also is the male and female perform this tradition created unique Mongolian style of dance. together. This Contemporary dance work also has a lot Before the emergence of Contemporary Chinese Mon- of the shape contrast, at the same time these dancers golian dance，Chinese Mongolian dance was created will do the different movements. In the middle of this mainly from folklore folk tales，and national symbols. Contemporary dance work, the movement and action This creation is restricted because the Chinese folk rhythm have changed. The dancer will do the different dance moves in a single and changes little, movements action rhythm at the same time(Zhang xin lan, 2015). is regularity, and the Chinese Mongolian dance works Because this Contemporary dance work tells the story mainly reflects in the emotion and ethnic costumes and of the life cycle of rice. Therefore, a lot of movements props (Wang Ke fen, 1985). are circle movements and also have a lot of ground roll- Unlike the Chinese Mongolian dance, the Contem- ing movements. In the Contemporary dance’s dance porary dance is a form of dance which focuses on the costumes, unlike Chinese Mongolian dance costumes, serious expression of inner emotions, using a free-flow- this Contemporary dance work the female also wear the ing, interpretive style, instead of following the strict simple and comfortable dress, and the male wear the rules characteristic of many dance disciplines (An- T-shirt. derson. J, 1992). Contemporary dance emerged in the In China, there are a lot of choreographers who in- second half of the twentieth century as a response to corporate Contemporary dance elements into Chinese the rigors of classical . First, Contemporary dance Mongolian dance, but how to blend these Contemporary movements were more relaxed and unrestrained in the dance elements has become a focus. First, the most im- pursuit of freedom, because this broke the strict dance portant step is for dancers to gain Contemporary dance movements of classical ballet. In the second place, training. In China, there are many dance schools that Contemporary dance has many variations in relation to offer Contemporary dance as a basic training course shape and space, A lot of Contemporary dance work ( xiang xu, 2013). Because the Contemporary dance shows the beauty of asymmetry: “Contemporary dance training focuses on balance and coordination. Since, the movements broke the classical ballet’s strict movement Contemporary dance movements are relaxed and the vocabulary and defined by a re-thinking of the body and body therefore needs increased levels of balance and physicality in relationship to space, time and gravity ; coordination. Secondly, Contemporary dance develops and by a cross - disciplinary and collaborative approach the student’s joint flexibility because it uses muscles in with disciplines such as philosophy, cultural theory, ex- a different way to traditional dance. Therefore, holding perimental music, visual arts and multimedia” (Pierce, muscles in a stretched position for a prolonged amount 2015). Fourth, in relation to the dance costumes, Con- of time causes the muscle fibers to become accustomed temporary dance costumes are comfortable and more to the new length, therefore increasing flexibility (Bom- life dance costumes. This is seen, for example, In the pa, 1999 ). ‘Rice’ that was created by huai min Lin who is a famous Only if dancers accept the Contemporary dance train-

84 Distributed under creative commons license 4.0 Volume 4;lssue 8 ing can they make the body more flexible, and improve numerous awards in China and It was retained as a clas- balance and coordination, thereby being ready to inter- sic work in Minzu University of China. Secondly, folk pret and perform the choreographer’s dance that com- dance and Contemporary dance are two kinds of import- bines Contemporary dance and the Chinese Mongolian ant (Feng shang bai, 2002). Combination dance (Bompa, 1999). The Second, in the process of of the two types of dance elements beneficial to improve choreographing, retaining the national characteristics the two types of dance because in dance development is also very important. In the creation of Contemporary process, dance also need to satisfy the audience’s vi- Mongolian dance, clear national attributes must first be sion, comply with the development of society. There- represented, and then Contemporary dance elements fore，combine with Contemporary dance elements can be added into Chinese Mongolian dance (Gao du, into folk dance have an advantage that different kinds 2014). The Chinese folk dance “Leave” is a Chinese of dance lessons and inheritance, continue to made Contemporary Mongolian dance and male dance work breakthroughs in style, diversification, many changes, (linling chen, 2016). This Mongolian dance work is dif- personalized trends, and mutual promotion and devel- ferent to previous Mongolian dance work because the opment. Thirdly, Folk dance and Contemporary dance choreographers added some Contemporary dance ele- has a different style and aesthetic, folk dance elements ments and the dancers who took Contemporary dance into Contemporary dance which beneficial Identify the training. This Contemporary Mongolian dance work’s nationality of Contemporary dance. The Contemporary background is based around the Mongolian grassland, dance elements into folk dance benefit the development thus reflecting traditional Mongolian lives. It focuses of new folk dance performance style. The fifth, Chinese on two young boys. One of the boys wants to leave the folk dance combined with Contemporary dance ele- grassland and he wants to see the outside world. The ments benefits A lot of ways for example，in the shape, other boy hopes his friend will stay in the grassland. body language, and thought have a specific embodi- The movements of this dance work, not only use the ment. In shape, the folk dance choreographer is pursuit Mongolian dance normative actions like arm and shoul- of asymmetrical shape rather than the symmetrical der movements, but also use a lot of freer Contemporary modelling. In body language, to abandon the traditional dance rolling movements. There are also some move- mechanized movement, and change the use of space ments where Contemporary dance rolling movements to create visual effects, for example the Contemporary combine with Mongolian dance arm movements. The dance rolling movements into the traditional Mongolian third, this Mongolian dance work has a vast number of dance. In terms of ideology, The dancers gave up the Contemporary dance movements that first space and the Chinese Mongolian dance work that the expression of second space contrast to the action. One of the dancers a collective focus on the inner spirit, repressed personal stands and does some movements, while another one feeling. In contrast, the dancers expression Contempo- dancer does ground movements and Contemporary rary dance and more free, open, and the performance of dance rolling movements. In relation to emotional ex- personal emotions. pression, in addition to retaining the traditional, this The Chinese Mongolian dance combined with Mongolian dance work represents the emotional expres- Contemporary dance elements also may have an impact sion of Contemporary dance where the dancer’s per- on folk dance cultural heritage. Therefore, it may make formance represents a state of mind rather than simply the Mongolian dance work become Contemporary telling a story and representing folk customs (Gao du, ized (Feng shuang bai, 2002). Because the Chinese 2014). Mongolian dance and Contemporary dance have “Chinese Mongolian dance combined with elements different cultural backgrounds. China is country that of Contemporary dance dances make great progress” has a history of five thousand years. In relation to (Gao du, 2014). Therefore, this great progress could culture and art, it has formed its own unique form and be divided into several aspects. Firstly, One benefit of there is a profound ideological feudal culture. On the combining Contemporary dance and Chinese Mongo- contrary, Contemporary dance is avant-garde art that lian dance that these two kinds of dance can be com- this was followed by the successive movements of plementary. In the Mongolian dance work elements in Contemporary art, and the term avant-garde is more or the appropriate integration of Contemporary dance, less synonymous with Contemporary (TATE, 2016). Contemporary dance aesthetic value can be given to Contemporary dance is novel dance form with no achieve artistic innovation (Li Bei da, 2006). It also complicated plot, scenery, music, irregular or dancer has been proven in the dance practice for example the can create their own music or sound. The Chinese Chinese Mongolian dance work “Leave” because it won Mongolian dance form is traditional that using their

Distributed under creative commons license 4.0 Volume 4;Issue 8 85 own the traditional music, clothing, and props. As a these culture shocks, the Chinese Mongolian dance result, for most people who are feudal it is difficult to work would be not become Contemporary ization and accept the novel Contemporary dance elements into could make the Chinese Mongolian dance work more traditional Chinese Mongolian dance. In the beginning, complete. The choreographers need make Contemporary Contemporary dance elements in traditional Chinese dance elements into Chinese Mongolian dance using Mongolian dance resulted in failure (Jia zuo guang, Contemporary dance elements that suitable for the 1998). First, before the creation of dance works the Mongolian dance moves rather than the Contemporary choreographer does not determine national property. dance elements that have no change into Contemporary For the Chinese Mongolian dance works the most Mongolian dance. Secondly, even is Contemporary important is determine national property (Jia zuo guang, Mongolian dance work, it also needs to have the 1998) because have no national property the Chinese Mongolian dance elements and background. The third, Mongolian dance works may become Contemporary the dancers not only need the Contemporary dance ization. As a result, the dance works that have no training but also need the Chinese Mongolian dance national property may become Contemporary dance training. As a result, using the western Contemporary work rather than the Contemporary Mongolian dance dance elements in the Chinese Mongolian dance work works. The second, when some choreographers create, may have some challenges, but if avoid these the they are using Contemporary dance movements that disadvantages. The Chinese Contemporary Mongolian have no change into the Contemporary Mongolian dance become more complete. dance works. Therefore, this create also may make the Contemporary Mongolian dance works become References Contemporary ization. Not all of Contemporary dance [1] Bompa T. (1999) Theory and Methodology of Training China movements are suitable for incorporating in Mongolian Highlights [online] Available from: http://www.chinahighlights. dance works. If the Mongolian dance works add com/travelguide/nationality/ Accessed by 15 Jan 2016. inappropriate Contemporary dance movements or have [2] Darlene O’Cadiz. (2013) Dance and Cultural Diversity. no changes Contemporary dance movements may make [3] Feng Shangbai. (2002) A history of Chinese dance. the movements lack the style of Mongolian dance. The [4] Gong Shiershao. (2015) [online] Available from:https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=5cSNcwkftpk Accessed by 10 Jan third, dancers only accept Contemporary dance training 2016. for a long time that the dancers will automatically [5] Gao Du. (2014) Introduction to Chinese Folk Dance. generate the memory of the body and the formation [6] He Yuan. (2014) History of Chinese ancient dance. of Contemporary dance movements. But Chinese [7] Jia Zuoguang. (1998) History of Chinese folk dance. [8] Lin Lingchen. (2014) [online] Available from:https://www. choreographers find a way to combine two kinds of youtube.com/watch?v=b4UNqHJpnQ4 Accessed by 22 Dec dance immediately. The way is change in Contemporary 2015. dance elements and make Contemporary dance elements [9] Pierce, Julianne.(2015) Perspectives on contemporary are more easily into the Chinese Mongolian dance work. dance. For example, the Contemporary Mongolian dance work [10] Ravennafestival. (2010) [online] Available from: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=1aXDl4t-6QY Accessed by 15 Jan “leave,” the choreographers make rolling combined 2016. with Mongolian arm movements (Lin ling chen, 2016). [11] Sdcfde San Diego. (2013) [online] Available from: https:// In conclusion, although using the western www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqYkvFgdBs8 Accessed by 15 Contemporary dance elements in Chinese Mongolian Jan 2016 [12] Wang Kefen. (1985) The History of Chinese Dance. dance has some advantages. For example, make the [13] Yunming. (2010) Chinese Primitive Dance Culture. Chinese Mongolian dance work more intact that change [14] Xiang Xu. (2013) Basic Training for Contemporary Dance [on- the Chinese Mongolian dance single movements line] Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz_ and shape thereby give the audience different visual ayNDjHJU Accessed by 11 Jan 2016 effects. It still has some disadvantages that may have [15] Zhang Xinlan. (2015) [online] Available from: https://www. youtube.com/watch?v=dpiP2YhsnTc Accessed by 30 Dec culture shock and may make the Chinese Mongolian 2015. dance work become Contemporary ization. If reduce

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