Cultural Identity And Social Network: The Development Path Of Folk Art In Transition

From a traditional agricultural society to a modern industrial society in transition from planned economy to the market economic system, folk art for the survival of the social environment experienced profound changes. Some folk arts are endangered species, some of the main folk art creators are marginalized, ageing at the same time, but some other form of folk art has been developed by leaps and bounds. For the latter, the path of development in the period of social transformation, it has not drawn sufficient attention from sociological study. Based on this, we try to use sociological theory to study the issue. This study chooses Zigong Lantern Art as the case, using social capital theory to analyse Zigong Lantern artistic development path and internal process in transition. By defining the concept of social capital and social capital theory of carding, this paper established the analytical framework, discussing the operation of social capital, social capital development and operation of the effectiveness of social capital, and other issues. Thus, Zigong Lantern artistic development process in the social transition once again emerged, revealing the Zigong Lantern Art' s intrinsic logic of the development under the macro-structural constraints of society, then the case studies in the search for the enlightenment of folk art heritage and development.Based on the concept analysis of Bourdieu, Coleman and Putnam, especially in the Uphoff' s analysis of the concept of social capital, we understand the capital attributes and the network characteristics of social capital. On this basis, social capital will be defined as historical traditions, values, folk beliefs, geographical and cultural identity, and so on, which can be reached for folk art production, consumption, the spread of historical identity through the promotion of synergy in the course of folk art' s development. And it will be defined as social networks which contribute to folk art production, consumption and transmission. In this case, cognitive social capital means the cultural identity in the development process of Zigong Lantern Art, and structural social capital exists in various social networks. Also at the function these social networks mean the lantern production network, show network and propaganda network.In the development process of Zigong Lantern Art, the cultural identity of Chinese traditional festival and region constitutes the main aspects of cultural identity. As cognitive social capital, it gives people the cultural interpretation of producting lights and watching lights. It embodies the traditional community' s historical traditions, values and folk beliefs. It enhances cohesion in the development process of Zigong Lantern Art, and provides social support which Zigong Lantern Art needs. This identity is the basis of legitimacy in its development process in the transition.The social network in the development process of Zigong Lantern Art, is a three-dimessional network. As structural social capital, by changing the allocation of resources, it will gather a lot of resources, support Zigong Lantern Art' s rapid development in the social transition. From the network form, it can be described as horizontal networks and vertical networks. From the functional point of view, it can be divided into lanterns' production network, show network and propaganda network.In the development process of Zigong Lantern Art, social capital is the operation of carnivals as the vector to achieve. In the operation process of cognitive social capital, through the Lantern Festival time, venue and content, it embodies the cultural identity of Chinese traditional festival and region. After the reform and opening up, in two different stage of Zigong Lantern Art' s development process, the operation of social networks are also different. The first stage, the Government is relying on resources within the system, using its informal network building on the basis of official relations, from top to bottom allocates necessary resources for the Lanern Art. The second stage, the operation of social network more depends on lantern enterprises and entrepreneurs network of social relations. At the same time, social capital in the course of the operation, but also places in the constantly evolving. On the one hand, changes have taken place in cultural identity. On the other hand, social networks are also changes in the structure of evolution.Finally, in the development process of Zigong Lantern Art, social capital has made significant operational effectiveness. It led to the formation of folk art elite, and led Zigong Lantern Art to promote the growth of the cultural capital, economic capital and symbolic capital. Zigong Lantern Art gradually formed its own unique artistic style in transition. Its industry is unprecedented prosperity. Zigong Lantern is to win "Tianxiadiyi light" reputation. Zigong became known as the "Southern Lights City" .Clearly, cultural identity and social network are the development path of folk art in transition.