Bian Lian (Biàn Liǎn; literally "Face-Changing") is an ancient Chinese dramatic art that is part of the more general Sichuan opera. Performers wear brightly colored costumes and move to quick, dramatic music. They also wear vividly colored masks, which they change within a fraction of a second.
The face changing, or "bian lian" in Chinese, is an important aspect of Chinese Sichuan opera. Performers wave their arms and twist their heads, and their painted masks change again and again and again.
34 Divulge:
wow...it is really cool painted ;)
My entry this week: in HERE. I hope that you can stop by as well. Thanks
Last time people used to say this Bian Lian skill cannot teach others.. But seems nowadays a lot of people know how to do liao.. hehe...
those are popular face masks in china.
Fantastic for the theme!!!
I love watching this performance. I always try to 'capture' the performer changing his mask but he is too fast!
Great photos,Elaine! I was thinking of posting something like this too but changed my mind because of this;)
http://yennygirl.com/?p=5394
I have always loved the Chinese masks. This was such an interested post and I love the photograph. Happy weekend!
They are beautiful!
Oh I heard about such shows when I was in Chengdu, China many years ago. It is very popular there. However I didn't manage to watch it.
Elaborate painting, but wow so beautiful.
Those are really colourful masks they wear. It seems painted masks are a universal concept since they exist all over the world.
Happy weekend Elaine.
Awesome! Love the colors on those costumes. Great post!
I have always wondered how they changed their faces so fast. I still could not catch any flaws.. haha. :P
http://crizcats.blogspot.com/
Now that's a great exapmple of painted! Have a good weekend. :)
Great pictures and choice of subject matter. Have seen a couple of performances of Bian Lian and yes, have to say that I find them absolutely amazing! :)
Really cool masks! Happy hunting.
Great choice for the theme. I love the color. WOW!
happy weekend!
Believe it or not I'd been behind one of these costumes and facemakeup - simplified of course - before!
The guanzhou pics will take awhile! I hate routine n boring spore. Sigh. W swine flu. Almost everywhere is outa bounds. I'll just console myself to earn $$ while I"m stuck here for the next big trip. Haha.
Wow those are amazing! A wonderful choice for this week's theme.
I like those picture. I get scared of mask, so I don't own one.
BTW, I'd like to invite you to Shades of Blue Wednesday. I hope you can join.
I was hoping that we would see some photos like these today. Wonderful! Nice choice for The Hunt! Happy Saturday and Hunting.
so elaborate...really gorgeous!
so that is what it's called. i once watched them on tv and i find them interesting. nice take and thank you for sharing the info. :-)
I like it....a lot!!!
My 'PAINTED' is posted now. Hope you can join me at my blog today sometime. Have a great weekend.
Nice entry for this week. Happy weekend. Mine is posted.
This reminds me of Beijing Opera, Elaine. Ok i won't forget about this bian bian thing. Thanks a great information. :)
Mine is now up, too!
Wow, that is really neat! Love all the different colours. Great photo/s.
Those masks are stunning. The colors are so intense. Wonderful take on this week's theme.
Stunning!!! Wow. The colors are gorgeous.
Mine's up!
http://newyorktraveler.net/photo-hunters-painted/
I hope you have a chance to visit. Have a great weekend!
I love masks. Those are great.
This is so intricate and bright and colorful. The operas must be amazing to see in person.
Mine is up here.
Excellent pictures for today, Elaine!
Great photos!
Hi Friend.. Interesting post.. Keep up the good work.. Will drop by your blog often.. Do find time to visit my blog.. Keep in touch.. Take care.. Cheers mate!
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