Days at the Opera
Updated: 2014-02-18 09:33
By Cecily Liu (China Daily)
|
|||||||||||
Shavrova with one of her photos at the exhibition held in London. Cecily Liu / China Daily |
My China Dream | Varvara Shavrova
A Russian-Irish artist's photographs of Peking Opera give a contemporary voice to the ancient art form. Cecily Liu reports in London.
Varvara Shavrova believed she was looking at one of the most beautiful women she'd ever seen. But she was wrong.
Big shoes to fit |
Not about the beautiful part. About the woman part.
The Russian-Irish artist and curator was stunned when Chinese friends told her the female Peking Opera character onstage at the teahouse near the Forbidden City was actually a man.
"I said 'No'. And they said 'Yes'. And I said 'No' - and still couldn't believe it," she recalls.
But that wasn't all that captivated her about the show.
"I loved the costumes, the makeup, the movements and how it can be formulaic in its own language," Shavrova says.
"You can compare it to contemporary art."
This initial fascination prompted the Russian-Irish artist and curator to research Peking Opera's history, understand the actors' lives and document their preparations and performances in her London exhibition The Opera.
For more My China Dream, hereRelated Stories
Big shoes to fit 2014-02-11 07:18
Timeless tunes 2014-01-28 07:55
Healing touch 2014-01-21 07:14
Big photographer zooms in on the small details 2014-01-14 07:18
Portraits from afar 2014-01-14 07:18
Today's Top News
Xi calls on leaders to carry out new reforms
Cross-Straits talks possible
Bigger China role in the Arctic
501 arrested in sex trade crackdown
Policeman gets death sentence
EU halts education talks with Switzerland
Ethiopian Airlines hijacker held
Ukraine protesters leave city hall
Hot Topics
Lunar probe , China growth forecasts, Emission rules get tougher, China seen through 'colored lens', International board,
Editor's Picks
Life after glory of victory |
Games bid to boost winter sports |
Sochi Olympics |
Bittersweet Spring Festival |
Find provides grave paws for thought |
Smog descends on the 'two sessions' agendas |