Shadow Puppetry

Shadow Puppetry

Shadow Puppetry is a form of traditional Chinese folk art that uses colored leather or paper silhouette figures that perform to music and song. During the performance, puppeteers manipulate the figures using wooden rods to create an effect of moving images on a translucent cloth screen that is illuminated from behind, creating a unique artistic effect.

Shadow Puppetry dates back to the Western Han Dynasty (206 B.C. - A.D. 25). It flourished during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), matured and gained popularity during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), and spread to Western Asia and Europe during the Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368). By the Qing Dynasty (1616-1911) it had become a popular art form throughout the country. Over time, it evolved into different artistic schools. Shadow Puppetry retained its popularity before the advent of film and television.

Shadow Puppetry draws on the techniques and styles of silk paintings, portrait stones, and portrait bricks of the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.- A.D. 220), as well as temple murals from

the Tang and Song dynasties. During the performance, the puppeteer manipulates the puppet's movements against the screen, bringing to life various complex scenes on the screen with remarkable vividness. At the same time, the puppeteer sings the story using popular local melodies, accompanied by percussion and stringed instruments, resulting in an interesting and entertaining performance. Some of the most popular Shadow puppetry plays include the Legend of the White Snake, Female Generals of the Yang Family, and Journey to the West.

Shadow Puppetry passes on culture, folk beliefs, oral traditions and local customs. It spreads knowledge and promotes cultural exchange. Chinese Shadow Puppetry has been included in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This form of folk art has a global following, with foreign admirers referring to it as "Chinese shadow", "Eastern magical art", and "Ancestor of cinema".

皮影戏

皮影戏，就是以皮制或纸制的彩色影偶形象，伴随音乐和演唱进行表演的一种戏剧形式，是中国民间传统艺术。皮影戏艺人在幕后用木杆操控影偶，通过光线照射在半透明的幕布上创造出动态的形象，具有独特的艺术效果。

皮影戏始于西汉时期，兴于唐代，在宋代成熟和盛行，元代传至西亚和欧洲，到清代呈现全国流行的繁荣局面。在电影电视没有普及的时代，皮影戏深受中国各地民众欢迎， 在长期演化过程中形成了不同的艺术流派。

皮影的艺术创意汲取了中国汉代帛画、画像石、画像砖和唐、宋寺院壁画的手法与风格。表演时，艺人一边紧贴幕布操控影偶肢体活动，真切地表现各种复杂的场景，一边用当地流行的曲调唱出故事内容，同时配以打击乐和弦乐，声情并茂、动人心弦。皮影戏常见剧目有《白蛇传》《杨家将》《西游记》等。

皮影戏传递文化历史、社会信仰、口头传统和当地风俗等信息，在知识传播和文化交流中发挥积极作用，入选人类非物质文化遗产代表作名录。这种源于中国的民间艺术形式，吸引了许多国外戏迷，被称为神奇的“中国影子”“东方魔术般的艺术”“电影的鼻祖”。