Revolutionary Bodies: Chinese Dance and the Socialist Legacy

Revolutionary Bodies is the first English-language primary source-based history of concert dance in the People's Republic of China, challenging the commonly accepted view that Soviet-inspired revolutionary ballets are the primary legacy of the socialist era. The digital edition includes nineteen embedded videos of selected dance works.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 322 pages
Publication date: 23 October 2018
Publisher: University of California Press

This book is freely available in an open access edition thanks to TOME (Toward an Open Monograph Ecosystem)—a collaboration of the Association of American Universities, the Association of University Presses, and the Association of Research Libraries. Learn more at the TOME website, available at: openmonographs.org.

Revolutionary Bodies is the first English-language primary source-based history of concert dance in the People's Republic of China. Combining over a decade of ethnographic and archival research, Emily Wilcox analyzes major dance works by Chinese choreographers staged over an eighty-year period from 1935 to 2015. Using previously unexamined film footage, photographic documentation, performance programs, and other historical and contemporary sources, Wilcox challenges the commonly accepted view that Soviet-inspired revolutionary ballets are the primary legacy of the socialist era in China's dance field. The digital edition of this title includes nineteen embedded videos of selected dance works discussed by the author.

This book is a groundbreaking exploration of the rich and diverse history of concert dance in China, offering a fresh perspective on a field that has been largely overlooked in academic discourse. Through meticulous research and analysis, Wilcox challenges the conventional narrative that Soviet-inspired revolutionary ballets are the sole legacy of the socialist era in China's dance field. Instead, she reveals a vibrant and complex tapestry of dance styles and movements that have evolved over the past eighty years.

Wilcox's work is based on extensive ethnographic and archival research, which includes interviews with choreographers, dancers, and historians, as well as a review of previously unexamined film footage, photographic documentation, performance programs, and other historical and contemporary sources. This rich material allows Wilcox to provide a detailed and nuanced account of the development of concert dance in China, from its early stages in the 1930s to the present day.

One of the key insights of Revolutionary Bodies is Wilcox's contention that the socialist era in China was not solely defined by the influence of Soviet-inspired revolutionary ballets. Instead, she argues that a wide range of dance styles and movements emerged during this period, influenced by a variety of cultural and political factors. These include traditional Chinese dance forms, Western ballet, and other contemporary dance styles that were introduced to China during the twentieth century.

Wilcox's analysis of major dance works by Chinese choreographers staged over an eighty-year period is particularly insightful. She examines the artistic and political significance of these works, as well as their impact on the development of concert dance in China. For example, she discusses the role of dance in the Cultural Revolution, which saw the suppression of traditional Chinese dance forms and the promotion of Soviet-inspired revolutionary ballets. Wilcox argues that while these ballets were certainly influential, they were not the only legacy of the socialist era in China's dance field.

Another important aspect of Wilcox's work is her use of previously unexamined film footage, photographic documentation, and performance programs. These sources provide a unique insight into the history of concert dance in China, and allow Wilcox to present a more comprehensive and vivid account of the field. For example, she includes footage of early Chinese dance performances, which showcase the influence of traditional Chinese dance forms on the development of concert dance.

In addition to its academic significance, Revolutionary Bodies is also a valuable resource for dancers, choreographers, and historians interested in the history of concert dance. The digital edition of the book includes nineteen embedded videos of selected dance works discussed by Wilcox, which provide a visual representation of the dance styles and movements discussed in the text. This will be particularly useful for students and scholars who are unable to access physical copies of the book.

Overall, Revolutionary Bodies is a groundbreaking and essential work that offers a fresh perspective on the history of concert dance in China. Through meticulous research and analysis, Emily Wilcox challenges the conventional narrative and reveals a vibrant and complex tapestry of dance styles and movements that have evolved over the past eighty years. This book will be of interest to scholars, students, and anyone with an interest in the history and culture of China.

Weight: 444g
Dimension: 155 x 230 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780520300576