Acrobatics
Chinese Acrobatics is a traditional performance of art with a long history. In broad sense, acrobatics is a general designation of various exceeding skills. It used to be called Zaji or Zajiyue. During the period of the comprehensive development of primeval art, acrobatics was closely related with music and dancing, and became the leading artistic form of the then culture. In Han Dynasty (206 BC—220 BC) and Tang Dynasty (618 BC—907 BC), it was very popular and prosperous together dancing and music. The art of acrobatics in late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty was introduced abroad and widely favored by Europeans and Americans.
Chinese Acrobatics has by now developed such artistic features as follows.
It emphasizes training on waist and legs. Performers of acrobatics must have a solid foundation of physical quality. There is a popular saying which goes like "Acrobatics is the combination of Chinese Opera characterized by singing and acting, and that by acrobatic fighting; the skill of balancing can compete with the flip performance in Peking Opera".
It seeks balance in moving and quietness in acting.
It pursuits wonder in the common life. The artistic features of acrobatics are fully demonstrated in a performance called Ancient Performances of Acrobatics, during which each performer only wore a long gown and a thin sheet. They looked plain like the average people, but can miraculously turn out all kinds of strange things miraculously and demonstrate the philosophical ideas of the oriental world.
It emphasizes both the flexibility and sturdiness of the human body through Qigong and martial arts supplementing each other. In the performance called Bicycle Balancing, the skills are fully displayed to the audience through feet dexterity with Shaoxing wine jars, bell, table, ladder, people, carpets, and color umbrella. All the props become so cute and elegant during the performance.
It combines super power of the body with nimble and deft movements.
It has strong adaptability to environment.
All these artistic characteristics constitute the unique charm and glamour of Chinese Acrobatics. In recent years, Chinese acrobatic performers have won many prizes in international contests. China has been recognized as "The Country with the Best Performance of Acrobatics".
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