6.2 Model Works and Revolutionary Opera

During the Cultural Revolution, model works became the pinnacle of revolutionary art in China. These carefully crafted operas, ballets, and symphonies promoted Maoist ideology and replaced traditional art forms deemed "feudal" or "bourgeois."

Model works shaped public opinion and mobilized the masses. They featured idealized revolutionary heroes, glorified the Communist Party, and used simple language and catchy music to appeal to ordinary people. These works profoundly influenced Chinese culture and society during the Maoist era.

Model Works in Maoist China

Concept and Significance

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• Model works, also known as "yangbanxi," were a set of literary and artistic works promoted by the Chinese Communist Party during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976) to promote revolutionary ideals and Maoist ideology
• The Eight Model Works, which included five revolutionary operas, two ballets, and one symphony, were considered the epitome of revolutionary art and were widely disseminated through various media (stage performances, films, radio broadcasts)
• Model works were created to replace traditional Chinese opera and other art forms deemed "feudal" or "bourgeois" by the Communist Party, serving as a tool for political indoctrination and social engineering
• The creation and promotion of model works reflected Mao Zedong's belief in the power of art and literature to shape public opinion and mobilize the masses for revolutionary causes

Characteristics and Features

• Model works were characterized by their idealized portrayal of revolutionary heroes, glorification of the Communist Party and Mao Zedong, and the use of simple, accessible language and melodic music to appeal to the masses
• The plots often revolved around the lives and struggles of ordinary people (workers, peasants, soldiers) who embodied the virtues of the revolutionary spirit
• The staging and choreography emphasized the collective over the individual, with large-scale ensemble performances and synchronized movements that symbolized the unity and strength of the revolutionary masses
• The costumes and set designs were often brightly colored and emblematic, using visual symbols and motifs associated with the Communist Party and the revolutionary struggle

Themes of Revolutionary Operas

Class Struggle and Anti-Imperialism

• Revolutionary operas, such as "The Legend of the Red Lantern" and "The White-Haired Girl," often featured themes of class struggle, anti-imperialism, and the triumph of the proletariat over oppressive forces
• These works promoted the concept of class struggle, depicting the proletariat as heroic fighters against oppressive landlords, capitalists, and imperialists
• The plots typically revolved around the lives and struggles of ordinary people (workers, peasants, soldiers) who embodied the virtues of the revolutionary spirit

Artistic Features and Innovations

• Revolutionary operas employed a simplified and standardized form of Peking opera, incorporating elements of Western music and ballet to create a hybrid art form that was accessible to the masses
• The music was characterized by the use of simple, catchy melodies and lyrics that conveyed revolutionary messages and were easy for audiences to remember and sing along to
• The staging and choreography emphasized the collective over the individual, with large-scale ensemble performances and synchronized movements that symbolized the unity and strength of the revolutionary masses
• The costumes and set designs were often brightly colored and emblematic, using visual symbols and motifs associated with the Communist Party and the revolutionary struggle

Functions of Model Works

Political Indoctrination and Ideological Promotion

• Model works and revolutionary operas served as powerful tools for political indoctrination, promoting Maoist ideology and the values of the Communist Party to the masses
• These works glorified the leadership of Mao Zedong and the Communist Party, presenting them as the saviors of the Chinese people and the guiding force behind the revolutionary struggle
• Model works and revolutionary operas promoted the concept of class struggle, depicting the proletariat as heroic fighters against oppressive landlords, capitalists, and imperialists

Reshaping Chinese Cultural Identity

• Model works and revolutionary operas also served to suppress and replace traditional Chinese art forms and cultural practices that were deemed "feudal" or "bourgeois" by the Communist Party, thus reshaping Chinese cultural identity in line with Maoist ideology
• The dominance of model works and the suppression of traditional art forms led to a significant loss of cultural diversity and artistic creativity during the Maoist era
• The idealized characters and revolutionary themes of model works became role models for Chinese citizens, shaping their behavior, values, and aspirations in line with Maoist ideology

Influence of Model Works on China

Wide Dissemination and Popularity

• Model works and revolutionary operas were widely disseminated and performed throughout China during the Maoist era, reaching a vast audience through stage performances, films, radio broadcasts, and printed materials
• The popularity of model works was partly due to their accessibility and appeal to the masses, as well as the lack of alternative entertainment options during the Cultural Revolution

Integration into Education and Society

• The influence of model works extended beyond the realm of art and literature, as they were integrated into the education system, with students required to study and perform these works as part of their curriculum
• The idealized characters and revolutionary themes of model works became role models for Chinese citizens, shaping their behavior, values, and aspirations in line with Maoist ideology

Post-Mao Critical Reappraisal

• In the post-Mao period, model works have been subject to critical reappraisal, with some scholars and artists questioning their artistic merits and the political agenda behind their creation and promotion
• The dominance of model works and the suppression of traditional art forms during the Maoist era have been recognized as contributing to a significant loss of cultural diversity and artistic creativity in China