Social Sciences in China (Chinese Edition)

No. 6, 2024

The Artistic Conception of Dunhuang Music and Dance Imagery and the Chinese Aesthetic Spirit

(Abstract)

Gu Chunfang

Dunhuang’s artistic heritage is a treasure trove of Chinese aesthetic elements. Its music and dance depictions—emblematic features within its murals—craft spatial environments in conjunction with the caves that exude distinctive aesthetic qualities. These creations embody a fusion of sacred and secular realms, rooted in Chinese civilization’s spirit of music and etiquette and refined through their compatibility with foreign cultures. They exemplify the cultural exchange and integration along Silk Road and epitomize China’s cultural inclusivity and receptivity to diverse influences. Distinct from foreign Buddhist artistry, Dunhuang’s portrayals inherit and perpetuate traditional Chinese aesthetic principles, which emphasize linearity in visual arts. The imagery infuses finite spaces with a flowing sense of time while illuminating the dynamic spirit and humanistic brilliance of Chinese culture. They manifest the sublime beauty inherent in Chinese artistic expression and the transcendental pursuit of freedom and spiritual liberation. Exploring and interpreting the Chinese aesthetic spirit encapsulated in Dunhuang’s music and dance imagery aids in understanding the contemporary value of Dunhuang’s artistic heritage as a system of meaning and aesthetics.