The Extension of Roaming: Spatial Concepts and the Theory of Roaming Through the Lens in Chinese Cinema
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Ming Ding
Ming Ding is a PhD student at the China Film Culture Institute, Beijing Film Academy. This paper is a phased achievement of the Major Project of Art Studies under the National Social Science Fund of China (2020), “The Value Inheritance and Innovative Development of Chinese Artistic and Cultural Traditions in Contemporary Chinese Cinema” (Project No. 20ZD18).
Abstract
Lin Nien Tung (Lin Niantong) applies the concept of “roaming” (You) to Chinese cinema, proposing a fluid spatial consciousness and compositional order known as “roaming through the lens” (Jing You). Using roaming as a method to comprehensively examine Chinese cinema, it becomes evident that roaming is closely connected with perception, texture, and aesthetics of cinematic space, reflecting the underlying national temperament of Chinese aesthetic mentality. This paper attempts to summarize the spatial model, spatial ontology, and spatial experience of Chinese cinema; explores forms, dimensions and perceptions of roaming; aims to construct an integrated cinematic spatial conception with roaming at its core. The theory of roaming through the lens influences Chinese film creation, also offers a pathway for understanding the nationalization of cinema.
About the author
Ming Ding is a PhD student at the China Film Culture Institute, Beijing Film Academy. This paper is a phased achievement of the Major Project of Art Studies under the National Social Science Fund of China (2020), “The Value Inheritance and Innovative Development of Chinese Artistic and Cultural Traditions in Contemporary Chinese Cinema” (Project No. 20ZD18).
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Postscript
The originally article entitled “游”的延伸:中国电影的空间观念与镜游理论 was published in当代电影 (Dangdai Dianying, Contemporary Cinema) 2024 (04): 56–63.Search in Google Scholar
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