BEYOND THE GATES
THE ART OF
TRADITION
What should we understand when we think of the art of tradition?
Is tradition an art, or is art a tradition? In fact it is both, as Chinese
Opera Director extraordinaire, Li Xiaoping explains to The Keystone
Magazine . Having traversed these interlinked spectrums for over four
decades, Director Li, who also conducted a cultural salon on Kun Qu
at Keystone Academy on 25 October 2015, brings clarity to the debate
from the cusp of art and tradition.
Q: Let’s start with art. In recent times, the
depth and potential of art was perhaps most
revealed in Ang Lee’s filmatic depiction of the
Life of Pi. There is a scene where a lone boat
rests at sea at night, and the milky way in the
sky and the luminous jellyfish in the ocean
form a spectacular space of infinity. The young
boy in the boat, Pi, looked up and thought
he saw god. This soul-clasping scene almost
seems to imply that art has a near-divine capacity. What do you think is the role of art?
A: In my view, art gives you something to lean
on, and resort to when life’s demands are more
challenging. It allows you temporarily to forget
reality, and makes you feel that what you hold
true is recognized. The world of art could help
you transcend the everyday and find your own
balance. Like the scene in Ang Lee’s film, you
know that in this huge world you still have your
own purpose, and your own sense of existence.
cial and economic marginalization. As for me, life
has not been a walk in the park. To this very day,
I still feel a certain sense of void and helplessness.
It is what I do as a profession and with passion,
which grants me the sense of self-value.
Q: Are traditional art forms as soul freeing as
depicted by Ang Lee? Artists from different
fields (dance, music, film, theatre, etc.) believe
that innovation can be drawn from traditions.
What is your view on this?
A: Personally, I have never equated tradition
with ‘outdated,’ so I have never been one to
overly praise ‘innovation.’ I have always strived
to bring these two concepts together naturally.
In my opinion, tradition is a treasure trove, filled
with all kinds of precious objects. I have always
emphasized that one’s heritage and traditions
will seem constraining if you regard it as a cross
to bear; or it could be one’s solid cultural roots if
regarded as a form of nourishment. It all depends
In the West, most people who devote themselves on one’s perspective.
to art do so because of their own artistic passion.
It is perhaps not always so in China. I fear that For instance, freestyle narration can be found
most young children dedicated to the learning of across many Chinese classical art forms. Our
Chinese Opera are driven to do so because of so- forebears have laid the groundwork with written
62 THE KEYSTONE MAGAZINE