Li Ning's Physical Theatre Research

This paper studies Li Ning's physical theatre through his six works from the perspective of body linguistics,semiotics and body aesthetics.The first chapter describes the emergence and development of Li Ning's physical theatre.First of all,this chapter combs the origin and evolution of the concept of “Physical Theater”,and defines his physical theatre based on the relevant history of “Physical Theater”.Secondly,it analyzes the significance of his personal life and artistic experience about his physical theatre.Finally,it summarizes the three stages of his physical theater: external struggle,internal struggle and “reconciliation with the world”,as well as the pursuit of “true beauty” throughout these three stages.The second chapter is about the creative concept of Li Nin's physical theatre.First of all,this chapter summarizes the origin of his physical theatre creation which is mainly based on respect for his life,his land underfoot and his body.Secondly,this chapter summarizes that his artistic creation activities always focus on “dehumanization of the body”,aiming to explore the origin of the“dehumanization of the body” by referring to physical theater works,reveal the essence of the phenomenon,and make a variety of attempts on “how to reduce the degree of dehumanization of the body” of individuals in his works.The third chapter uses dance body linguistics and semiotics to discuss the body language of Li Ning's physical theater.Living and industrialized body is the source of its body language.Secondly,it summarizes the most simple,regular and accidental body language principles in its body language system,as well as the characteristics of body grammar.Finally,it analyzes the refining and shaping of body symbols in his physical theater works in different periods.The fourth chapter analyzes the significance of Li Ning's physical theater to the development of contemporary dance in China in terms of creation mode and training system and its own limitations.The value of Li Ning's physical theater works in body aesthetics lies in the establishment of individual aesthetics and the reexamination of the concept of traditional “beauty”.In terms of body training and body symbol shaping,his body,body sound and body sketch training are conducive to strengthen the dancer's grasp of space and body,but the training system is still not perfect.Finally,this chapter analyzes the existing problems and limitations of Li Ning's physical theater from three aspects of physical traits of the body,dominant position of body and dance,theme selection and artistic style.The paper also discusses the powerful metaphor of Li Ning's physical theater and the creative technique to reveal the true society in his work by using his body.His physical theatre works are not only a single art.While attaching great importance to improve his own artistic concept,he actively undertakes the artist's social responsibility,narrowing the distance between dance art and real life,and promoting the development of dance in China.