Face changing, or Bian Lian in Chinese, is an important part of Sichuan Opera. It started about 300 years ago. And it is one of the great treasures in traditional Chinese culture. The changing faces show different feelings of actors in a special way.
People think face changing has something to do with fighting against dangerous animals. In ancient times, when people met with dangerous animals, they painted colorful pictures on their faces to scare the animals away. Later, people used this in the shows of Sichuan Opera. And as time went by, it turned into a great form of art.
Face changing is undoubtedly one of the most mysterious arts, and only the masters really know how it works. Many people are curious about the secret of face-changing. Generally, there are three face-changing techniques （技巧）:
•Mopping（抹脸）
The performer mops out the colorful greasepaints（油彩）which are hidden in a certain part of his face to change his facial appearance when necessary.
•Blowing （吹脸）
The performer blows powder hidden in his hands or a small box on the stage so that it blows back onto his face following with his move.
•Pulling（扯脸）
The performer can pull down a mask which has been hidden on the top of his head ahead of time, changing his face into red, green, blue or black to express happiness, hate, anger or sadness. This technique is so complicated that the performer must move quickly yet smoothly to achieve the amazing effect.
Face changing is an ever-changing art, and it continues to develop with technology. By the early 1900s, artists could switch up to 3 masks each performance. By the 1990s, artists could employ up to 4 masks, and by 2000, the number rose to 8. Nowadays, using silk masks and modern technology, artists can change 18 to 20 different masks.
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*History: It started about 300 years ago. *Importance : It is of great in traditional Chinese culture. * Origin: In ancient times, people painted colorful pictures on their faces with the purpose of. |
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*Mopping Colorful greasepaints are hidden in a certain part of the performers' face and they are mopped out when necessary. *Blowing The performer blows powder hidden in his hands or a small box on the stage so that it blows back and sticks to the face. *Pulling The performer pulls down different colors of masks different feelings. The performer must move quickly yet smoothly to achieve the amazing effect. |
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With the use of silk masks and modern technology, we have seen a huge in the number of masks artists can change in each performance since the early 1900s. |
