94 years ago, world-renowned Peking opera artist Mei Lanfang introduced this historic art form to the United States for the first time. To celebrate his significant contributions to art and cultural diplomacy, USC awarded Mei with an honorary doctorate. On September 13, the USC East Asian Library welcomed key guests from the Chinese National Academy of Arts and Mei’s descendants for the launching ceremony of a semester-long exhibition showcasing artifacts relevant to Mei’s legacy.
Essential to understanding the significance of Mei’s career is his impact on the way feminine beauty was conceived by Chinese and later, American audiences.
Li Shufeng, vice president of the CNAA said, “Mei represents the pinnacle of Chinese opera art – through his refined performances and creative works, he portrayed feminine beauty in multidimensional ways to the American audience.”
“Prior to the 20th century, there were fairly strict divisions between female characters called the huadan (花旦) that were more flirtatious and the qingy (青衣) that were very proper and well mannered,” said Joshua Goldstein, director of the East Asian Studies Center at USC. “Mei Lanfang created a new character type called the huashan (花衫).” The huashan, considered a blend between the lively huadan and the proper qinqui, created space for more fully developed female characters.
An example of Mei’s rule-defying work was showcased at the opening ceremony by Ivy Gao, a 12-year-old Chinese Peking opera performer. In her four-minute performance, Ivy played Yang Guifei, who was Emperor Tang Minhuang’s concubine. Emperor Tang ruled the Chinese Tang Dynasty from A.D. 618 to A.D. 907, during a time of cultural flourishing, and had multiple concubines. In the scene, Yang indulges in anguished drinking after the emperor abandoned his plans with her to meet with another concubine. Mei depicts her complex emotions through an unconventionally elegant dance that blends longing, heaviness, and sorrow.
During his speech, Li also recognized Mr. Mei’s significant role in igniting dialogue between USC and CNAA and expressed a wish to continue the partnership.
“We hope to transcend the time and space of 94 years since Mr. Mei’s previous artistic visit and exchange, and through the celebration of his 130th anniversary, to promote and expand this legacy…We hope to pursue in-depth cultural collaborations with USC.”
Goldstein added that Mei’s story can speak to generations today, crossing cultural barriers.
“If you look at American reviews of Mei Lanfang’s visit to the U.S. in 1930…they were deeply moved by his visit…and respected him,” said Goldstein. “I think we can take from his lesson also today that even in times when perhaps diplomatically there are tensions between peoples and countries, cultural exchange can have an enormous way of opening up our hearts and our connections to one another.”
The exhibition, featuring artifacts related to Mei’s life, including illustrations of the characters he depicted, are on display in Doheney East Asian Library until December.