Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-01

auspices of the Department of Fine
Arts The first are paintings illustrating the
art of the Chinese stage and were executed by
Chi fu-San for Mel Ian Fang, lent by Yen
Ching University, Peking China.
AS almost every one knows, Mel Ian Fang
is one of the most celebrated present-day &C
tors of China. Last Winter he came to this
country and for considerable time gave per-
formances in New York. On his arrival in this
country Mel Ian Fang came to Washington
and gave before an invited audience a per-
Torrance here at the Chinese embassy, but
many persons went from Washington to New
York to attend his public performances there.
So popular were these performances, so ex-
traordinary was his art, that his engagement
was prolonged week after week, and even then
every seat in the theater was taken long in
advance
The art of the Chinese theater has descend
ed from ancient days and is essentially tradi-
tional. It is, on the other hand, however, fully
in accord with the spirit of modern times. 1t
purposes to present an impression and it siren
uously avoids realism. 1t makes liberal use Of
symbols and is chiefly, if not entirely, mat
ter OF motion-geSture, pantomime
Mel Ian Fang is not only a great actor
but great student of the drama, and has
revived both an interest In the art of the drama
and certain practices of the past which, through
his introduction and Interpretation, have gained
present-day popularity.
With knowledge of these facts, the exhibit
ton at the Library of Congress takes on ex-
ceptional meaning These paintings, SO beau
TRULY rendered, may be regarded, more or
less as data-equipment, paraphernalia-for
the great actor in his presentation of the mod
ern Chinese drama
In the first place, one sees representations
Of various kinds of theaters-a theater with
seats like church pews, a theater with tables
where tea may be served, theater in a gar
den, etc. The theater in China until recent
times. was supported as a public Institution,
usually by wealthy patron. It was free to
all. Then the time came when the theater
became part of what was known as tea gar
den; those who paid for their tea had the privi-
lege of witnessing the performance. Only in
these later days has the theater of China been
70 degree commercialized, with paid admis-
sion and reserved seats.
Having fixed in the Observers mind pictures
OF Chinese theaterS, the illustrator proceeds
with representations of costumes and other
properties, Of headgear, boards musical instrl-
ments, weapons, each historically and perfectly
rendered.
Adding to the interest of this exhibition and
Its educational value are typewriter labels Civ
ing interesting facts concerning each section of
the exhibition, which, it is understood were pre-
pared by Mr.. Chi fu-San
In all probability the section devoted to cos
tunes viii be found most interesting Colors
one Is told, have different significance. For
instance, certain shade of blue moonlight"
Is worn by middle-aged ladies; whereas pink
Is the color OF youth; white, or incense gray
the color OF old age Dark yellow is worn ex-
ciusively by the Emperor. And special cos
TUNES are for special occasions For instance
tneIe Is one to be worn lat the banquet of the
1airies," another is purposed to be worn Gin a
gentle mood" another to be worn while boat
ing, and yet different one to be worn while
dancing on the waves" There is a certain
Unread OF imagination, Of fancy, running
through the entire exhibit, which is typical of
all Oriental art
Mel Ian Fang revived the use of ancient
court costumes through a study of the i'm
perial paintings Of the Sung and Yuan dynas-
Ties. All OF the costumes used are planned to
[eVeaI the nature OF the character of the
Wearer, as well as to achieve effect
One section of the exhibit is given over IN
representations Of various kinds of boards. Long
boards are priced in China, and age is indi-
Gated by color-black, gray or white. Red
Oeards are worn only to denote lawiess or un-
conventional characters
The musical instruments shown in this coI
lection are extremely engaging. They are of
metal, stone, Stringed bamboo, LACQUER terra
Gotta and wood. There is three-strine banjo
ano an interesting combination Of Pans pines
There are castanets and gonRs. There is a
novel wooden box which is said TO be sounded
10 stop band music; and there is another en-
Titled "bandterminatOr," with a crouchin1
tiger on the box attached to which is the
statement that sound produced by running rod
over the notched tiger back stops all music.
In the present day of radios and loud speakers
such quieting instruments might prove popular
and very salable.
An interesting fact about this exhibition is
that the paintings are on scrolls, rolled and
unroled, and that their Superscriptions are in
English.
Not only does this exhibition give interesting
insight into the art of the Chinese drama, but
evidences very successfully cooperation between
the art OF the theater and the art of Mlustra-
ton. 1t Is also a notable fact that the floral
designs employed in the costumes are peculiarly
artistic and beautiful