Art Salon
《戏剧之美》The Beauty of Drama
Speech Guest: Mr. JinSong Chen
Orange County, November 11, 2023 — The United States East-West Cultural and Art Exchange Foundation hosted its seventh edition of the Art Salon, titled "The Beauty of Drama," at the Zhou Ning Photography Museum in Orange County.
Mrs. Lisa, the hostess of the salon, warmly welcomed cultural enthusiasts and members from all walks of life on behalf of the foundation. She introduced the distinguished guest speaker for the event, Mr. Chen Jinsong. Mr. Chen is not only a well-known lawyer and Ph.D. in law in Los Angeles but also holds dual doctorates specializing in drama and comparative literature between East and West. He is a professor at the University of California.
Art Salon host: Lisa Li
In a captivating two-hour lecture, Professor Chen Jinsong, drawing upon his expertise in drama, enriched life experiences, and a profound understanding of the subject, condensed over two thousand years of global theatrical history into an essence of classic moments. The lecture traversed ancient Greek tragedies, Elizabethan dramas, Chinese Yuan Dynasty miscellaneous plays, Ming Dynasty legendary dramas, French classical dramas, Henrik Ibsen's modern realism, Samuel Beckett's absurd drama "Waiting for Godot," Chinese plays such as Cao Yu's "Thunderstorm" and Lao She's "Teahouse," and Nobel laureate J.M. Coetzee's psychological drama "Someone is Coming," as well as traditional Chinese opera exemplified by Mei Lanfang's Peking opera and the Eight Model Plays, among others.
Professor Chen also delved into the origins and development of theatrical stages, the three major systems of theatrical performance, and the contributions of great playwrights and actors. Sharing personal experiences from interviewing performance artists, he reflected on the significance of drama education in the arts, emphasizing that drama is the last bastion of pure literature and a mirror reflecting life.
The audience and members who attended the salon represented a diverse group, including professors, CEOs of venture-backed companies, artists, music conductors, doctors, and high-tech professionals. Despite their varied backgrounds, they all shared a deep love for literature and the arts. Engrossed and captivated, they eagerly participated in the lively interactive session that followed Professor Chen's lecture. Attendees praised the enlightening and professional nature of the presentation, commending the foundation for providing an excellent platform for cultural and artistic enthusiasts to share, learn, and communicate. They expressed gratitude for the foundation's role in refining aesthetic sensibilities, purifying the soul, and expanding the collective spiritual horizon.
The "Beauty of Drama" salon proved to be a resounding success, leaving a lasting impact on all those in attendance and reaffirming the foundation's commitment to fostering cultural exchange and appreciation within the community.
