Analysis/Reflection on the Influence of Combining Chinese Shadow Play with Digital Art for Foreign and Domestic Audiences

Abstract

This project focuses on the preservation and dissemination of Chinese Shadow Play, an intangible cultural heritage. In terms of methodology, digitizing traditional Shadow Play is an innovative attempt to break through geographical and content limitations to increase the audience and content diversity of shadow plays. The combination of traditional shadow puppet theater and 3D digital art can enrich the experience, increase interactivity, and lower the cost of viewing conditions, thus bringing the audience closer to shadow puppet theater. In terms of plot, traditional shadow plays’ content is limited to Chinese myths and fables, which is far removed from the modern tide of entertainment; instead, recent events and mixed-cultural elements can effectively innovate the scripts, integrate timely social topics, and explore new possibilities of shadow puppet content, so that shadow plays can become a cultural channel to reflect social issues. In addition, the project hopes to promote concern for the employment environment of older artists and disadvantaged groups in the process of traditional cultural creation, protect the traditional cultural creation environment, and provide a stable employment environment and community for shadow puppet craftsmen. Finally, unexplored financial value of shadow theater can be discovered via combining shadow puppet theater culture with the wider cultural and creative industry. We can develop new cultural and creative products while maintaining the traditional culture of shadow puppetry, such as integrating puppetry elements into everyday items and its proceeds of sell would give shadow play new commercial values.