Final DANC Project

Dance Props During Mao's Era

By Eric Guo

Thesis

Dance props have been a significant factor in creating a "new dance culture" during the Cultural Revolution.

01. What is A Prop?

Definition

Prop

- something used in creating or enhancing a desired effect.

02. Context

Context

During Mao's Era (also known as the Cultural Revolution), people were mostly illiterate and were trying to find a way to entertain themselves.

Dance became a piece of art and entertainment for Chinese people.

Dances were also seen as a sign of loyalty to Mao ze Dong, the leader of China during the Cultural Revolution.

Mao wanted dance to be more of a rural style than an urban style. He had professional dancers called troups learn from folk artists to learn the rural dances.

As these dancers learned from folk artists, props also started to be implemented into the dance as "object mediators," objects that allowed dancers to embody socialist ideals and understand Marxist beliefs.

03. What types of props were used?

Fans

The fan was used to highlight the graceful and slow movements of the dancers and usually resembled a gift or treasure.

Usually colorful and big

Typically made from wood and paper, but some have been made with feathers.

The dance was a rural style that came from folk artists and was used by civilian fan dancers because of Mao's desire for a folk-style dance.

Video

Link: https://maoeraobjects.ac.uk/sources/dance-props-video-collage/

Made by the Bejing Dance School in 1959, the "Spring, River, and Flowers on a Moonlit Night" showcases a solo dance that uses feather fans as props. The dance is part of the rural folk dance representing a region and ethnic group in China.

Ribbons

One of the most iconic dance props during the Cultural Revolution. It was popular nationwide.

Usually made from silk that is attached to a handle.

Because of its difficult construction, the instructions for making it and dancing with it were very strict.

Usually practiced with old silk rather than new silk because practicing with new silk would destroy the color of the ribbon.

Originally danced in three different styles (Peking Opera, bengbeng drama, and yangge) but the cultural work troupe combined all three and modified it by removing any offensive content.

Photos

The Red Silk Dance was so strict on its instructions that dancers had to learn how to handle the ribbon, care for the ribbon, and dance with the ribbon. Here are pictures of dancing instructions using the ribbon as well as a textbook that goes over the Red Silk Dance.

Video

Link: https://maoeraobjects.ac.uk/sources/dance-props-red-silk-dance-video/

Created in 1963 and choreographed by the Changchun City Cultural Work Troupe, the "Red Silk Dance" illustrates a modern Han folk dance using red silk ribbons.

Umbrellas

Another popular dance prop that was used for entertainment.

Made from oil paper or silk

Considered very artistic as it was used as a symbol of practicality and fashion ideals for women and men.

During Mao's era, umbrellas were used to perform Han-style folk dancing.

Video

Link: https://maoeraobjects.ac.uk/sources/dance-props-video-collage/

Created in 1959 by the Fujian Song and Dance Ensemble, "In the Rain" shows a modern Han folk dance using blue oil paper umbrellas that was created during the Cultural Revolution.

Weapons

Used as a way to show the military might of Mao and his great regime.

Dancers were forced to hold these weapons like guns, gernades, and knives, which was dangerous.

Incorporated ballet to emphasize power and courage due to the dangerous stunts.

Weapons symbolized strength and determination for Mao so that the dancers would be "getting victory" for Mao.

Video

Link: https://maoeraobjects.ac.uk/sources/dance-props-video-collage/

Created in 1964 by the Shenyang Army Cultural Work Troupe, "Female Civilian Soldiers" shows a modern military-themed dance using blue oil bayoneted rifles.

04. Why are Props Important?

Significance

- Props were used as a way to show the Chinese community that they are part of a "new, equal, and diverse" society.

- Props required strict handling as dancers had to learn how the props were originally used and which region the props came from.

- Many dances during Mao's era were attacking traditional Chinese dance culture.

- Props also acted as sources of creativity, allowing dancers to develop new ideas for incorporating props into their dances.

05. Conclusion

Conclusion

Mao’s desire to change traditional dance culture led to props being used for folk dance. He utilized props as a way for people to respect him, and as a way to create a new culture. He integrated his own cult of personality into Chinese dance culture. The Cultural Revolution had changed the traditional culture of Chinese dance into a new culture where everyone was “equal and free”.

Works Cited

• “Chinese umbrella dance,” CCCH9051 Group 31, accessed December 6, 2023, https://learning.hku.hk/ccch9051/group-31/items/show/8.
• “Chinese Umbrellas.” CITS, www.cits.net/china-travel-guide/chinese-umbrellas.html. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
• Zach-Giordano. “The Dance Beijing Fears.” Sponsored, 10 Jan. 2019, sponsored.bostonglobe.com/boston-shen-yun-presenter/the-dance-beijing-fears/#:~:text=Classical%20Chinese%20dance%2C%20which%20has,%2C%20grenades%2C%20and%20bloody%20knives.

• Altehenger, Jennifer, and Emily Wilcox. “Dance Props and The Rural Imaginary.” Material Contradictions in Mao’s China, University of Washington Press, 2022, pp. 84–99.
• Wilcox, Emily. “Dance Props (舞蹈道具).” Dance Props (舞蹈道具) | Mao Era in Objects, The University of Michigan , maoeraobjects.ac.uk/object-biographies/dance-props/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
• Lab, King’s Digital. “▸video Dance Props: Video Collage.” Dance Props: Video Collage | Mao Era in Objects, maoeraobjects.ac.uk/sources/dance-props-video-collage/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
• Lab, King’s Digital. “⧉image Dance Props: Dance Diplomacy - ‘Red Silk Dance.’” Dance Props: Dance Diplomacy - “Red Silk Dance” | Mao Era in Objects, maoeraobjects.ac.uk/sources/dance-props-dance-diplomacy-red-silk-dance/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
• Lab, King’s Digital. “Silk Dance Video.” Dance Props: Red Silk Dance Video | Mao Era in Objects, maoeraobjects.ac.uk/sources/dance-props-red-silk-dance-video/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.
• Lin, Jennifer. Dancing for Mao, Smithsonian Institution, 1 May 2009, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/dancing-for-mao-123906664/#:~:text=In%20the%20cult%20of%20Mao,knew%20how%20to%20dance%20it.%22.

THANK YOU

Credits to Genialy for the templates and Flaticon for the stickers.