The Eros and Thanatos Entwined: Somaesthetic Explorations in Kunqu Dance
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54337/ojs.jos.v10i2.8601Abstract
This paper investigates somaesthetic principles in Kunqu opera, particularly through the classical work The Peony Pavilion, focusing on how dance movements convey the interplay of Eros and Thanatos. It delves into the spiritual influence of emotional commitment on Kunqu’s integrated system of poetry, music, and dance, and considers how traditional Chinese aesthetics may shape the mind-body relationship. This exploration seeks to contribute to the discourse on somaesthetics by suggesting that Kunqu dance offers nuanced insights into existential themes, thereby enriching our understanding of life and death within the arts.
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