Archive for February 15th, 2010

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China Travel – Yellow River(2)

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Along the Yellow River, tourists can not only fully enjoy the natural scenery of the Yellow River, but also explore the Chinese history and culture. The multiplying and growing sites of Chinese ancients can be found along the Yellow River, such as the famous Yangshao Culture Site, the Birthplace of the First Ancestor Yellow Emperor, the Fuxi Mausoleum and the neighboring various cradles of surnames. The important ancient town Sanmen Gorge, the thousand-year-old ancient capital Luoyang, the commercial city Zhengzhou and the capital Kaifeng of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), etc. These are all the concrete exhibitions of the Yellow River culture, showing the rise and decline of China‘s history.

The main scenic spots of the Yellow River include the Ancient Overhanging Plank Road of the Yellow River, the Mainstay, the Hangu Pass, the Luoyang Peony, the Longmen Grottoes, the Guan Forest, the White Horse Temple, the Remains of the Commercial City Zhengzhou, the Xiangguo Temple, the Millennium City and the Yue Fei Temple, etc. Every scenic spot is rich in cultural connotations, making tourists truly feel the special charm of the Yellow River Culture. Other famous scenic spots in the Yellow River reaches include the Wild Goose Pagoda in Xi’an City, the Terracotta Warriors and Horses of the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206), the Maiji Grottoes in Tianshui region, the Haibao Pagoda in Yinchuan City, the Bingling Grottoes in the Liujia Gorge, Liangshan Mountain in the lower reaches of the Yellow River and Jinan, the City of Spring, etc.

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Beijing Olympic – Classic Revolutionary Opera: Sister Jiang

Monday, February 15th, 2010

Presenter: Art Troupe of Air Force Political Department of the PLA
Venue: National Centre for the Performing Arts  – Opera House
Dates: June 11 – 12, 2009    19:30        June 13, 2009    14:00    19:30
Price:  VIP    400    300    200    100    80 RMB

Programme Introduction

The large national opera Sister Jiang is based on the long novel Hong Yan, and since its first performance in 1960s, it has been rehearsed for four times, which brought great sensation, and could be called the summit in the history of Chinese national opera. Actresses of four generations interpret Sister Jiang and sing the well-known song – Ode to Red Chinese Plum — again and again. In 2008, on the occasion of 16 years after the fourth rehearsal of Sister Jiang, the Art Troupe of Air Force Political Department of the PLA brought “Sister Jiang of the fifth generation” to stage and welcomed by the public. With new connotation of the new era, new concept of art and strong cast of actors this new Sister Jiang makes the opera blossom brilliantly again.

Synopsis
In the spring of 1948, the Chinese People’s Liberation army began to launch a strategic counterattack in the whole country. Although Kuomintang reactionaries’ reign over Chongqing is crumbling, they are still struggling.

In this period, Sister Jiang leaves Chongqing and goes to the north area of Sichuan with the important instructions of the provincial committee. On her way she is surprised to hear that her husband Peng has sacrificed his life. Bearing the agony in heart, Sister Jiang goes to meet Doule-Gun Old Lady and Blue Beard and led the guerrilla detachment to deal the enemies a heavy blow.

Due to Pu Zhigao’s betrayal the enemies arrest Sister Jiang. Facing the master spy Shen Yangzhai’s threat and bribery and the cruel torture in the jail Zhazidong, Jiang Jie is staunchly righteous and faces death without fear. Before the liberation of Chongqing, the enemies kill Sister Jiang. With the lofty ideal and firm faith in the Communist Party, she writes a heroic song for the national liberation with her death.

(Source: ebeijing.gov.cn)

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Chinese Culture – Painting on Glass(4)

Monday, February 15th, 2010

The disadvantage is that since a kiln is not used to permanently fuse the paint to the glass, paints made for other surfaces have a tendency to peel or chip when used on glass.

To counteract this tendency and increase the life span of the paint, you should concentrate on thoroughly preparing the surface of the surface of the glass. Sandblast if at all possible. At a minimum, rough the surface up with wet/dry sandpaper. Roughing the surface in this manner will help the paint adhere better and last longer. Applying the paint with an airbrush, rather than by hand, also tends to yield better results.

Air-dried and oven-cured glass paints

In this approach, the painter starts with a clear sheet of glass, then colors the glass in a pattern that approximates “real” stained glass. Sometimes practitioners of this style even go so far as to apply paste outlines designed to resemble stained glass lead or solder lines. In general, people who make stained glass frown upon this style of glass painting.

These paints do, however, have the advantage of being specially formulated for painting on glass. They come in two varieties: air-dried and oven cured.

As the names suggest, air-dried glass paints are simply applied and then allowed to dry (drying takes about eight hours). These paints are most suitable for decorative purposes on surfaces that will not be handled much. In most cases they can withstand only light washing in cold water, and are not suitable for food-bearing surfaces or items that will be handled.

Oven cured paints are a bit more durable. They require the use of a conventional kitchen oven to heat the glass to around 300 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This is hot enough to help bond the paint to the glass and will adhere better than glass that isn’t heat-set at all, but the temperature isn’t hot enough to fuse permanently.

Glass enamels

Although traditional painting on stained glass is probably the most common way of painting on glass, painting with glass enamels has grown significantly in popularity in the last few years. The range of colors is extensive, and the ability to mix colors means that a virtually unlimited palette is available.

（Source: chinaculture.org）

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