This lecture converges heritage, performing arts, and technology to explore new pathways for revitalizing Chinese history, culture, and artistic traditions. It begins with the 'Chinese-style romance' showcased in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, examining how technology can embody humanistic values and ritual aesthetics. The discussion then moves to groundbreaking experiments where humanoid robots perform intangible cultural heritage dances, highlighting a new dialogue between traditional choreography and intelligent technologies. The lecture concludes by addressing the contemporary revitalization of the Yungang Grottoes—a UNESCO World Heritage site and a masterpiece of Chinese Buddhist art. To bring these ancient relics to life, student dancers from Peking University will present a special performance based on archaeological findings from the Grottoes, demonstrating how embodied research can animate history. Through these concrete examples and live demonstrations, the session aims to articulate how traditional culture can undergo creative transformation in the technological age, building new bridges that connect past and present.
Speaker Bio
TIAN Qing (田晴), artist and adjunct dance professor at Peking University, is an associate director and choreographer (分场导演) , working under Chief Director Zhang Yimou (张艺谋) for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony and Macau 2049. She also choreographed the prototype dance for the YangBot Performance at the 2025 CCTV Spring Festival Gala, which drew widespread attention and acclaim following the broadcast.
Note: This lecture will be presented in Chinese with English interpretation.
