Artistic Innovation Research Articles

Civic Education and Artistic Innovation on New York City’s Dancemobile, 1967-1988

The Dancemobile—an initiative of the Harlem Cultural Council and New York City (NYC) Department of Cultural Affairs—was a flatbed truck that brought free dance concerts to over one million New Yorkers, in all five boroughs, between 1966 and 1988. The program had an artistic aim to showcase the work of Black choreographers within communities of color, and thus became a vital forum for defining “Black dance” within the broader Black Arts Movement. But Dancemobile also had a political mission within the framework of violence prevention and “cool out,” aiming to provide communities with an outlet for channeling grievances into fellowship with neighbors. Dancemobile choreography addressed issues of importance to their audiences, including drug addiction, mass incarceration, and police brutality. This article examines Dancemobile’s origins, operations, and outcomes, revealing how the program used live performance as cultural activism, combatting the isolating effects of urban renewal with entertainment and political education.

National tradition as an innovation factor in Guo Wenjing’s chamber opera “Wolf Cub Village”

Statement of the problem. The modern stage of development of Chinese musical theater is associated with a significant role in creative experiment, the search for new artistic means. These processes have gone down in history as an artistic direction under the name “new wave”. It emerged in 1976 as a confrontation with the aftermath of the cultural revolution. It combines trends in the revival of national Chinese traditions and the introduction of modern compositional writing methods. In the works of representatives of this direction, a deep understanding of the uniqueness of the aesthetics of ancient Chinese music, the originality of its rhythm and timbre richness is restored. These features are vividly embodied in the Opera “Wolf Cub Village” by Guo Wenjing (郭文景, born in 1956). The theme of the transformation of traditional Chinese musical art in modern times under the conditions of Western influences and the formation of new Chinese music raises by Chinese researchers in one way or another. But the issue of national tradition as a factor of innovation is considered tangentially. Thus, the subject of the article, which reveals the features of the implementation of the traditional chamber opera “Wolf Cub Village” by Guo Wenjing, is looking up-to-date. Recent research and publications. An Luxin in the dissertation “Research of Guo Wenjing’s musical creativity” (2012) traces the stylistic features of Guo Wenjing’s work and analyzes many of his works, but the reason of significant amount of material studied, the composer’s opera heritage is highlighted in generalized way. Guo Wenjing’s own article (2016) as well as materials published in his book “Noise” (2009), are a valuable source of information about the composer’s idea of the opera. Objectives, methods, and novelty of the research. The purpose of the article is to identify the mechanisms of innovations in the implementation of the national Chinese tradition in Guo Wenjing’s chamber opera “Wolf Cub Village”. The study used methods developed in modern musicology, in particular, theoretical, historical and cultural analysis, as well as the method of theoretical generalization. For the first time, the embodiment of the national tradition in the opera work by the contemporary Chinese composer is considered as a factor of artistic innovations. Research results and conclusion. Guo Wenjing’s appeal to the national traditions of Chinese music is associated with the two way orientation of the “new wave” flow that emerged in Chinese professional composing music. We are talking about transforming deep Chinese national traditions along with the use of modern compositional techniques. It is proved that in European opera this approach becomes an artistically effective means of updating the modern musical language. As a result of the study, Guo Wenjing’s opera “Wolf Cub Village” revealed a number of innovations, the source of which was the Chinese verbal language and traditional music. These include: a) the invention of new methods of vocal and declamatory articulation of the Chinese language, the expansion of the range of vocal and performing techniques, the creation of a special style of singing that combines European bel canto and intense high declamatory singing of the Chinese traditional opera; b) the use of features of the sound and semantics of instrumental accompaniment of traditional Chinese opera and the formation of a new poly-national composition of the orchestra; c) the introduction of characters into the opera that saturate the plot with figurative intonations of Chinese folklore; d) the use of metro-tempo models (banshi) of Chinese traditional opera. By introducing the elements of Chinese traditional music into the opera, the composer expanded the instrumental and vocal timbre palettes, enriched the work with a bright national flavor and significantly diversified the techniques of musical expressiveness of Western-style opera.

An Analysis of the Multiple Meanings of Art during the Renaissance

During the Renaissance, the revival of ancient Roman culture was of great practical significance. The Renaissance was a cultural movement that emphasized humanism, the revival of classical culture, and artistic innovation, seeking to transcend the Dark Ages of the Middle Ages and restore the glory of ancient culture and art. By re-learning and borrowing from ancient Roman culture, Renaissance artists attempted to re-explore the natural, religious, political, and social issues of mankind through the aesthetic expression and social function of art. This paper analyses the practical significance of reviving ancient Roman culture through the study of the background of the Renaissance era. Taking Leonardo da Vinci's work "Mona Lisa" as an example, starting from the painting technique of "Mona Lisa", explores the artist's understanding and expression of art, as well as the meaning behind the artwork. The purpose of this paper is to explore the aesthetic expression as well as the social function of "art" during the Renaissance, using "art" as a clue. And finally, conclude that Renaissance art had a profound influence on the development of later generations and became an important milestone in the history of Western art.

‟WHAT KIND OF PEOPLE! WHAT A LANGUAGE!..” RUSSIAN CRITICISM OF THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY ON THE BOUNDARIES OF ‟ETHICAL” AND ‟DECENT” IN THE DRAMATURGY OF A.N. OSTROVSKY

The article highlights the problem of moral and aesthetic evaluation of the works of A.N. Ostrovsky in literary criticism of Russia in the second half of the 19th century. On the material of newspaper and magazine reviews published in the 1850s–70s, contradictions are revealed between the ethical and aesthetic expectations of the reading audience and the artistic innovations of A.N. Ostrovsky in depicting scenes of everyday reality. The article attempts to generalize critical judgments of moral and aesthetic nature, outline the range of issues and claims against the author, and track their influence on the playwright’s work.

Transmission of Local and Traditional Music in Indonesian Popular Music (Case Studies of Indonesian Music Groups)

This article explores the dynamic process of transmitting local and traditional music within the context of Indonesian popular music. As Indonesia boasts a rich cultural heritage, the study delves into how traditional musical elements are incorporated and transformed within the works of contemporary Indonesian music groups. The research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing case studies of prominent Indonesian music groups. Through an in-depth analysis of their compositions, arrangements, and performances, the study aims to unravel how traditional musical influences are transmitted and integrated into the fabric of popular music. The findings reveal diverse strategies Indonesian music groups employ in incorporating local and traditional elements. Case studies showcase the adaptation of traditional instruments, melodic patterns, and rhythmic structures, providing insight into how cultural heritage is woven into the contemporary musical landscape. The discussion section engages with the implications of this transmission process, addressing questions of cultural identity, artistic innovation, and audience reception. It explores how the synthesis of traditional and popular music contributes to the evolution of Indonesia's musical identity and its resonance within a global context. In conclusion, this article illuminates the multifaceted nature of the transmission of local and traditional music in Indonesian popular music. The case studies provide a lens to understand the dynamic interplay between tradition and innovation, shedding light on the creative processes that shape the country's musical tapestry. This study contributes to the broader discourse on the global dynamics of music transmission and the significance of cultural heritage in contemporary musical expressions.

Application of Technology and Digital Innovation in European Arts and Cultural Management

The application of technology and digital innovation in European arts and cultural management has had a profound impact on various aspects of the cultural sector. The application of technology and digital innovation in arts and cultural management reflects the region’s commitment to preserving its rich cultural heritage while also embracing modern methods to engage with a contemporary audience. It has opened up new avenues for cultural expression, audience participation, and the sustainable management of cultural resources.

Special issue from the Symposium on the acoustics of ancient theatres

Ancient theatres are some of the most significant cultural and architectural masterpieces of the ancient world. The Greeks and Romans developed these spaces for entertainment, political and social commentary, religious rituals and artistic expression. They were built with great attention to acoustics and sightlines. The use of materials such as marble, stone, and brick helped to reflect and amplify sound, while seating arrangements and other architectural features were used to optimize the audience's listening experience. Today, many ancient theatres have been restored or preserved and are often still used for public performances including opera, drama, speech and music. Furthermore, researchers continue to study the acoustic properties of these ancient spaces, seeking to better understand the technical and artistic innovations that enabled the creation of such remarkable buildings. These aspects, as well as more interdisciplinary studies, were presented and discussed during the Symposium on The Acoustics of Ancient Theatres, held in Verona from 6 to 8 July 2022. The Symposium, organized by the Acoustical Society of Italy (AIA) and the European Acoustics Association (EAA), with the collaboration of the Hellenic Institute of Acoustics (HELINA), was the second on this topic after the one held in Patras (Greece) in 2011. The program of the Symposium included keynote speeches, presentations in structured sessions, posters, technical visits to the Verona Arena and Roman Theatre, workshops and demos. The visit to the Verona Arena was particularly inspiring, as it was possible to enter the technical areas and backstage usually closed to visitors, thanks to the Stage Director who guided the visit. The evolution and development of new technologies for the multichannel measurement systems, together with acoustic simulations, auralisation methods and virtual reconstructions, have generated renewed interest in these ancient spaces and it is commendable that the Rivista Italiana di Acustica (RIA) is devoting an entire issue to publish some of the works presented during the Symposium. The special issue includes 10 papers, divided into 5 invited contributions, 3 scientific papers and 2 technical notes. Papers dealing with issues related to Italy and its theatres were prioritised. 

Documenting Crisis: Artistic Innovation and Institutional Transformations in the German-Speaking Countries and the UK

The unprecedented suspension of cultural events across Europe in March 2020 had a profound impact on the performing arts. Alongside the proliferation of digital and hybrid modes of theatre-making, the Covid-19 pandemic has also precipitated a substantive shift in how theatres operate at both institutional and organizational levels in an attempt to respond to the volatile economic impact of the pandemic on the culture sector. This has provided a decisive moment for the reinterpretation of the theatre landscape, raising fundamental questions relating to institutional transformation that challenge precarious working models and entrenched hierarchical divides. Drawing on wider transnational research as part of the ‘Theatre after Covid’ project, this article examines the institutional effects of the pandemic on theatre and performance in the United Kingdom and the German-speaking countries. It details the findings of a wide-ranging survey conducted in 2022 with theatre workers and organizations that address how the industry is adapting and transforming in response to the crisis. Using this new data as a starting point, it analyzes how new forms of artistic innovation have emerged during Covid-19. By focusing on these institutional and aesthetic developments, the article argues that the pandemic has produced a paradigm shift that has crucially reinscribed how theatre is created, programmed, and understood.

MelodyAI: AI-Powered Melodies Generation

MelodyAI AI-Powered Melodies Generation embodies a cutting-edge exploration at the intersection of artificial intelligence and artistic expression. Drawing inspiration from a seminal research paper on music generation with neural networks, we set out to develop an innovative platform for crafting original musical compositions. Harnessing the potential of advanced deep learning models—such as Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), Long Short-Term Memory networks (LSTMs), and attention mechanisms—we aspire to revolutionize the way music is created and experienced. Our approach involves the intricate study of the original research, enabling us to adapt and extend the findings to construct a powerful AI-driven system. Our project focuses on unraveling the complexity of musical language and structure, aiming to generate melodies that resonate with human-like creativity and emotion. By leveraging a diverse and extensive dataset and implementing state-of-the-art machine learning techniques, we endeavor to compose melodies that captivate and inspire. MelodyAI AI-Powered Melodies Generation stands as a testament to the transformative potential of machine learning in the realm of artistic innovation. Through this project, we not only aim to craft melodies that touch the soul but also to stimulate a new era of creative collaboration between humans and machines. Keywords: MelodyAI, Music Generation, Artificial Intelligence, Deep Learning Models, Recurrent Neural Networks, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Attention Mechanism.

Assessment of the Importance of Historical Knowledge when Analysing the Development of Choreographic Art

The purpose of this study is to introduce and enrich the importance of historical knowledge for the analysis of choreographic art. Research methodology. In conducting this research, a comprehensive analysis of historical knowledge was carried out. The interaction between historical context, cultural influences, and artistic innovations was examined, emphasising the critical significance of historical understanding in studying the evolution of choreographic art. Scientific novelty. During this investigation, it was determined that the combination of historical knowledge with choreography establishes a standard criterion for the development of choreographic art, which serves two functions: enriching objective and scientifically valuable information and facilitating the practical realisation of choreographic creativity aimed at achieving goals related to the analysis of choreographic art's development. Conclusions. The significance of historical knowledge in analysing the development of choreographic art is difficult to overestimate. Studying the historical context, cultural influences, and artistic innovations provides a deeper understanding of the evolution of choreographic practices. Historical knowledge shapes modern choreography, providing a platform for artistic research and innovation. It also helps us comprehend our heritage and the origins of various aspects of contemporary life, including political structures, social norms, cultural traditions, and scientific achievements. They demonstrate how the past influences our present and shapes our values and identity. Embracing historical understanding is of utmost importance in assessing the richness, diversity, and continuous development of choreographic art. As we delve deeper into the process of related research, the use of historical knowledge will play a crucial role in shaping future directions of this captivating art form.
 Keywords: history, historical knowledge, choreography, choreography history, cultural influence, artistic innovations.

The preservation of Isan folk music with digital sound technology

The preservation of Isan Folk Music is of the utmost significance for preserving the rich cultural heritage of the region and nurturing artistic innovation. Digital sound technology has emerged as a potent instrument for this endeavor, allowing for the construction of an exhaustive and diverse digital sound library. In this study, traditional Isan Folk Music instruments were meticulously recorded using the cutting-edge Logic Pro X software, capturing their nuances in volume and dynamics. The authenticity of each instrument's timbre and unique characteristics were preserved through the use of sound adjustment and editing techniques. The appropriate organization and note nomenclature within the Kontakt software contributed to the library's well-structured and user-friendly design. The process of importing the sounds of musical instruments into Kontakt was seamless, involving selection, customization, and modification, resulting in a vast repository of sounds that are available for exploration. A user-friendly interface was thoughtfully designed to enhance the user's experience exploring the captivating sounds of traditional Isan Folk Music instruments. This digital sound library stands as a testament to the preservation and celebration of Isan Folk Music, providing artists and enthusiasts alike with a resourceful outlet for artistic expression and promoting global appreciation for this distinctive musical tradition, demonstrating the important role of music in cultural preservation and human evolution.

Exploring the Role of Leadership in Art History

Leadership is an integral yet understudied component of art history. This paper explores the role of influential leaders who shaped the course of art movements and genres throughout history. A visual and documentary analysis is conducted to examine how leadership manifests in artistic works and historical texts. The study analyses key art historical figures such as Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Andy Warhol, and others who pioneered new techniques, spearheaded movements, founded institutions, mentored proteges, or galvanized public interest in the arts. Their lasting impacts as champions of artistic innovations and progress are evaluated. Archival letters, journals, articles, and other documents provide insights into leadership styles, relationships with followers, and strategic decision-making. Patterns of patronage linking leaders with wealthy, powerful, or religious institutions are also explored. The visual record reveals how leadership was conveyed symbolically through the content and style of seminal works. The analysis integrates qualitative evidence from both visual and documentary sources to build a historical understanding of leadership's central, multifaceted role in shaping the direction of art. This study aims to highlight leadership as a driving force in art history and understand how leaders profoundly influenced the production, dissemination, and reception of art across successive eras.

On the Innovative Art Instructional Mode Based on the Cultivation of Students' Artistic Literacy

In today's society, with the rapid development of the economy, the demand for applied talents is increasing day by day. The demand for art talents in today's society lies not only in their professional skills and skills, but also in their own comprehensive quality and artistic literacy. Artistic literacy refers to a comprehensive quality that a person exhibits in artistic activities, from internal to external. Art education is of great significance in enhancing the ideological and moral qualities, humanistic literacy, promoting mental health, and improving personality of college students. Understanding and analyzing the current situation and existing problems of art literacy education in universities, and seeking a suitable path for educational innovation, to promote art literacy education in universities to a standardized, institutionalized, and scientific track, is an urgent problem to be solved. The article analyzes the application of art literacy in art teaching and reforms the art teaching mode.

Artistic Value and Social Reflections of Realistic Movies

The movie "I Am Not the God of Medicine" is both an inheritance of neo-realist movies and an innovation based on it. The movie "I am not the God of Medicine" is a realist drama film directed by Wen Muye and produced by Ning Hao and Xu Zheng. The storyline in the movie is based on real-life events. Taking drug selling as a clue, the movie portrays a team of five drug sellers with different professions and personalities, and through a three-part narrative structure, each paragraph sets up a convincing plot point, parsing it out layer by layer, the protagonist is forced to become a "superhero" from the boss of a marketplace peddler in the end. The film uses the localized image construction of the Hao Cai Wu style narrative, the interaction between the fate of small characters and traditional philosophical concepts, and the imaginative transformation of the environment under the intertwining of documentary and art, to reproduce the real life of the characters at the bottom of the social ladder, and to truthfully and dramatically expose and criticize the true state of the society, focusing on the return of the value of life and exploration, highlighting the aesthetical characteristics of artistic innovation, which has a very great social value and practical significance. It has great social value and practical significance.

Exploring Innovation in Visual Language of Modern Fiber Art within the New Media Landscape

Fiber art, an art form with a rich history, has witnessed significant advancement in its creative practices and theoretical research over the past several decades. The study of visual language in this field is pivotal in modern fiber art theory. By examining the visual language employed in fiber art, artists understand how to effectively utilize these elements to construct meaningful and aesthetically pleasing work. Further, this understanding aids viewers in decoding and appreciating fiber art's inherent value and significance. This paper explores the linguistic characteristics unique to modern fiber art. It investigates the innovative transformations in the visual language of this art form within the context of the new media environment. The innovation in modern fiber art, as manifested through evolving materials, technological methodologies, and forms of expression, ultimately leads to an advancement in its visual language. This evolution, in turn, contributes to the emergence of a refreshed aesthetic in modern fiber art.

A practical investigation of cultivating students’ art innovation ability based on word vector model

Abstract In this paper, a multi-branch deep network architecture (JESF-MBF) based on joint embedded semantic features is proposed. In order to construct the structural consistency between visual image space and label semantic space, as well as to ensure the correspondence between sketch or image data and labels, the JESF-MBF model uses cross-entropy-based multivariate classification loss and cosine distance-based semantic similarity loss for model optimization. The optimized model improves the ability of label semantic information representation and image visual information representation, alleviates the discrepancy of data domain distribution between sketch and image, and constructs the mapping relationship between visual embedding space and semantic embedding space, so the sketch-based zero-sample image retrieval task is realized based on the intermediate medium. In the comparative model analysis, the average evaluation index of JESF-MBF is 0.412, better than that of Doodle2search at 0.344. In terms of the teaching effectiveness of the teaching platform constructed in this paper, the average time spent for the experimental class to complete each subject work is 9.4 class periods, while the average time required for the experimental class is 19.7 class periods. The results show that the art teaching platform based on the JESF-MBF model is very effective in terms of performance as well as improving the art level.

The Evolution of Piano Technique and Its Impact on Modern Chinese Piano Development: A Theoretical Exploration

This paper explores the development of the piano in modern China, focusing on its role in Chinese music education, performance, and composition. With the introduction of Western music and culture, the piano gradually became an integral part of Chinese musical culture. The study investigates the factors influencing the development of the modern Chinese piano, including social history, cultural environment, and the music education system. The research employs a literature review methodology to analyze the evolution and changes in theories of modern Chinese piano development, as well as the significant theoretical perspectives and academic ideas associated with them. The study examines the historical background, cultural environment, piano performance techniques, teaching methods, and the contributions of Chinese piano composers and musicians. The findings highlight the importance of studying modern Chinese piano development theory for piano education and performance. The research aims to deepen the understanding and application of relevant theories, fostering innovation and improvement in piano art. Furthermore, the exploration of piano development theories promotes the preservation and transmission of Chinese music culture, enhances academic research, and facilitates international exchange in the field of Chinese music. The study concludes that the continuous study of technical theory is crucial for the development of the piano in China. The improvement of current technical theory serves as a catalyst for advancing Chinese piano art and strengthens the preservation and transmission of Chinese musical cultural heritage. The findings provide theoretical guidance for piano teaching and performance practice, contributing to the continuous advancement of piano art in China.

Rubens and his landscapes: Reflections on the notion of ‘otium’

This essay sheds light on Peter Paul Rubens’ intentions or possible underlying reasons for the ‘organic’ growth of his landscape paintings by analysing the fundamental contemporary notion of ‘otium’ (fruitful repose). Understood as contemplative leisure encouraging artistic and intellectual endeavour in accordance with Cicero’s advocacy of ‘otium cum dignitate’, it was deeply rooted in the classical writings of Horace, Virgil and Pliny the Younger. Ample research has shown that life in early modern Europe was tempered by the conceptual force of ‘otium’ and its opposite form, ‘negotium’. However, Rubens’ response to this dyad, and especially the effect it had on the creation of his landscapes, has only been addressed superficially. By teasing out the strands of ‘otium’ and ‘otium ruris’ (fruitful repose in the countryside), the author indicates multiple ways in which the topos of retreat played a notable part in Rubens’ poetic response to nature and landscape, to the aesthetic appreciation of the countryside in real life and in painting. Exploring both places and spaces present in the notions of ‘otium’ and ‘otium ruris’ in Rubens’ day not only consolidates our understanding of the personal dimension of landscapes, but it also sheds new light on the artist’s attentiveness and receptiveness to and his ongoing preoccupation with many of his large compositions in the 1630s. Although Rubens did not follow the idea of ‘otium’ programmatically, exploring it as a form of contemplative leisure nonetheless offers a key to understand the productive energy, artistic invention, and unique evolution of many of his landscapes. The examination of the important, but hitherto neglected landscape Return from the fields (c.1635-1638) at the Palazzo Pitti in Florence not only provides new insights to the painting’s intriguing genesis, it also demonstrates that Rubens’ landscapes may have provided a growing space of ‘otium ruris’ – for their creator and beholders alike.

Rethinking knowledge in the making of modernism through the translingual practice of Qiyun shengdong

ABSTRACT Translingual practice in a historical context conceptualizes translation as travel; when examined in a social network, translation can be perceived as an innovative force of knowledge-making. This study is concerned with the travels of a critical artistic term in Medieval China: qiyun shengdong. Predicated on their distinct connotations, Xie He combined the meanings of qi and yun to refer to the vitality evinced in the human body, as well as the beauty of the talent and elegance emanating from the posture. Sinologists such as Herbert Giles and Laurence Binyon translated and introduced the term based on the Western cultural milieu, making qiyun commensurate with “rhythm,” eventually developing the mainstream translation of “rhythmic vitality.” With an examination of the rewriting and repositioning of qiyun from Binyon to Vortex leaders Ezra Pound and Wyndham Lewis as well as Roger Fry, a key member of the Bloomsbury circle and the pioneering modernist and formalist, the emergence of modernist discourse is highlighted with translation as an agent. This research will expose the understated process of knowledge formation through translation across cultures by analyzing the travel and reception of the term qiyun shengdong to recapture translation as an influential aspect of artistic innovation.

A Sun that Never Sets: Eastern Cherokee Tattoo Artist John Henry Gloyne and the Aesthetics of Reimagining

Abstract: This article examines a selection of work by contemporary tattoo artist John Henry Gloyne (Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians) to understand how tattooing functions as an Indigenous creative practice that can imagine alternative realities and reestablish connections to Native pasts and presents. Gloyne's work redefines contemporary Native tattooing by highlighting its continuing significance and artistic innovations in the present. In doing so, Gloyne's work challenges the settler notion that Native cultural practices are static and stuck in the past. The authors' analysis includes Gloyne's reinvention of Cherokee symbols (water spider and Booger mask tattoos), early/mid-twentieth-century Americana tattoo flash, and his tattoo-inspired painting Sacred Realms: Tobacco Offerings to the Picture Machine . Honma and Francoso employ an analytic of "reimagining" to investigate how Gloyne's work embraces an ethos of experimentation and innovation that moves beyond settler frameworks of comprehension. In order to understand how he challenges various modes of representation and ways of looking that normalize the settler project, they historicize the symbols and motifs found in Gloyne's work. They incorporate interdisciplinary methods of visual analysis, historical recontextualization, and interview data to center Gloyne's unique aesthetic approach, which foregrounds renewed ways of envisioning and embodying Indigenous worlds.