‘The Beauty Walk’ is a work by the great Tang dynasty poet Du Fu, selected from the dance drama ‘Du Fu’. The phrase ‘without a trace of sighs’ suggests a lack of surprise. The flowing clouds exhibit a certain Han and Tang elegance. The work’s form is expressed through attire, with a dignified demeanor externalized from the heart, reminiscent of the flourishing Tang dynasty, yet subtly revealing an unspoken lament.
Without luxurious garments, it conveys a myriad of postures through its graceful charm, marking another significant work following the traditional Han and Tang style of ‘Stepping Song’. Unlike its predecessor, it stands out within. The dance deepens the sense of the era through stylized movements, with the hem of the costume and the bodice creating a unique visual experience, crafting an extraordinary beauty. If ‘The Beauty Walk’ serves as a window into the Tianbao era, it would not be an exaggeration. After viewing the piece, I revisited Du Fu’s ‘The Beauty Walk’ and found that the focal points of the dance diverge significantly from Du Fu’s aspirations. It is not a display of splendid postures and dances, but rather an analysis of historical depth, reflecting on millennia of historical facts.
The highlight, in my opinion, lies in the final gesture of brushing away the hem of the garment and departing lightly, where the dancer’s attire slightly sheds its brilliance, returning to the essence, appearing both still and dreamlike. This dance, ‘The Beauty Walk’, is non-narrative and non-poetic, exploring the essence through poetry; it reflects on humanity, femininity, beauty, resembling flowers, jade, and more so, life itself. It is merely a vessel bearing the marks of its time.
The movements are based on circles, swings, steps, and shifts, with the energy grounded below and hand gestures elevated above, categorizing the design of movements into point and line formations. The costume, featuring yellow as the main color, deepens the sense of weight and elegance, enhancing the portrayal of Tang beauty in the dance. ‘The Beauty Walk’, as a participant in the 2017 China Dance Lotus Award for classical dance, stands out among the performances, truly deserving of its acclaim. Compared to many works lacking classical charm and intent, it is a world apart. Engaging with the dance not only offers a sensory experience of beauty but also reflects the joys and sorrows of social roles throughout historical changes over the millennia.
Dance is an attitude; whether as a narrator or a listener, it flows through the soul. Even though the expectation of influencing reality is a kind of luxury, if by chance some sounds remind you of a past event, pain, or sweetness, then that memory has a thick shell, a lasting warmth akin to rebirth.
Author | Li Xiaolei Past Issues Review
Tasting / Different / Literary / Arts
Dance
‘2017 Professional Assessment of the China National Opera and Dance Drama Theater’
Documentary: The Story of the Assessment
Photography
‘The Wonderful Presentation of the Jin Chuan Group Company Recitation Competition’
The Chinese Dream, the Beauty of Labor, Employee Art Festival
Literature
‘Li Xiaolei: Treating Hardships as a Book to Read’
Who in their heart does not have a book, who in their dreams does not have a sea
