March of the Dolls
Encyclopedia
March of the Dolls is an international anthem written by the noted artist and writer Lee Shi-min
with music composed by the same. The composition in D-major is a musical march
in 3/4 time which the artist has affectionately termed a "dollonaise" or a slow march-like dance for young women in the grand, dignified, triumphant tradition of the polonaise
. Its original lyrics are the official lyrics of the international anthem.
in 2008 in the People's Republic of China
era during development of his Dangdai series. Popular stories suggest that he wrote it on xuan paper
while executing an ink and wash work. The song became the theme song for his Dangdai Dolls: The Great Doll of China series and characters and subsequent storybook Dangdai Dolls: A Journey Through the Dynasties, about twelve vivacious young women from the Vernal Village of Dangdai, blessed with a trinity of gifts - those of eternal youth, flight upon associated animals, and the ability to go backwards in space and time, as they travel through the colourful art, history and culture of China from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors period more than 2,000 years ago to the present-day Dang dynasty.
released his March of the Dolls international anthem in advance of, and to commemorate and celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on 1 October 1949.
The critically acclaimed art anthem accompanies the twelve Dangdai Dolls: The Great Doll of the China, based on the artist’s Dangdai serial works, in what some consider a lyrical initiative to promote original Chinese art, design and culture as well as an underscoring of China’s continuing reform and opening up policy initiated in December 1978.
Unlike the March of the Volunteers
, China’s national anthem, the March of the Dolls is not a call to bear arms nor resistance against invading forces but an allegory for cross-cultural understanding, exchange and embrace, open-minded, tolerant, caring societies, and local, global and universal harmony.
The anthem is written in both Classical Chinese
and Vernacular Chinese
.
Lee Shi-min
Lee Shi-min is a Chinese contemporary artist.- Work :Lee Shi-min is a conceptual symbolist-colorist whose primary medium is oil on canvas....
with music composed by the same. The composition in D-major is a musical march
March (music)
A march, as a musical genre, is a piece of music with a strong regular rhythm which in origin was expressly written for marching to and most frequently performed by a military band. In mood, marches range from the moving death march in Wagner's Götterdämmerung to the brisk military marches of John...
in 3/4 time which the artist has affectionately termed a "dollonaise" or a slow march-like dance for young women in the grand, dignified, triumphant tradition of the polonaise
Polonaise
The polonaise is a slow dance of Polish origin, in 3/4 time. Its name is French for "Polish."The polonaise had a rhythm quite close to that of the Swedish semiquaver or sixteenth-note polska, and the two dances have a common origin....
. Its original lyrics are the official lyrics of the international anthem.
Origins as International Anthem
March of the Dolls was written by Lee Shi-minLee Shi-min
Lee Shi-min is a Chinese contemporary artist.- Work :Lee Shi-min is a conceptual symbolist-colorist whose primary medium is oil on canvas....
in 2008 in the People's Republic of China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
era during development of his Dangdai series. Popular stories suggest that he wrote it on xuan paper
Xuan paper
Xuan paper , or Shuen paper or rice paper, is a kind of paper originating in ancient China used for writing and painting...
while executing an ink and wash work. The song became the theme song for his Dangdai Dolls: The Great Doll of China series and characters and subsequent storybook Dangdai Dolls: A Journey Through the Dynasties, about twelve vivacious young women from the Vernal Village of Dangdai, blessed with a trinity of gifts - those of eternal youth, flight upon associated animals, and the ability to go backwards in space and time, as they travel through the colourful art, history and culture of China from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors period more than 2,000 years ago to the present-day Dang dynasty.
Historical Context and Meaning
Chinese contemporary artist Lee Shi-minLee Shi-min
Lee Shi-min is a Chinese contemporary artist.- Work :Lee Shi-min is a conceptual symbolist-colorist whose primary medium is oil on canvas....
released his March of the Dolls international anthem in advance of, and to commemorate and celebrate the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China on 1 October 1949.
The critically acclaimed art anthem accompanies the twelve Dangdai Dolls: The Great Doll of the China, based on the artist’s Dangdai serial works, in what some consider a lyrical initiative to promote original Chinese art, design and culture as well as an underscoring of China’s continuing reform and opening up policy initiated in December 1978.
Unlike the March of the Volunteers
March of the Volunteers
March of the Volunteers is the national anthem of the People's Republic of China , written by the noted poet and playwright Tian Han with music composed by Nie Er. This composition is a musical march...
, China’s national anthem, the March of the Dolls is not a call to bear arms nor resistance against invading forces but an allegory for cross-cultural understanding, exchange and embrace, open-minded, tolerant, caring societies, and local, global and universal harmony.
The anthem is written in both Classical Chinese
Classical Chinese
Classical Chinese or Literary Chinese is a traditional style of written Chinese based on the grammar and vocabulary of ancient Chinese, making it different from any modern spoken form of Chinese...
and Vernacular Chinese
Vernacular Chinese
Written Vernacular Chinese refers to forms of written Chinese based on the vernacular language, in contrast to Classical Chinese, the written standard used from the Spring and Autumn Period to the early twentieth century...
.
Official Lyrics (current and original)
| Traditional | Cōng bĕi dào nán, Cōng dōng dào xī, Xúnzhăo zhòng dì dāngdài wáwa, Zài fàngkāi shuāngshŏu huānyíng nĭ, Yī gè wēixiào, Yī gè dàxiào, Yī qiè shùnlì! Yóu zŏu de dāngdài wáwa yŏu diăn fēngkuáng, Zŏu guò rèqíng de dĭngyì, Qí guò bōtāo de xióngfēng, Zŏu guò hăilàng, Yuè guò shāduī shítou, Xún zhăo zuì xīn de yīzhuó cháoliú! Chuàng yì de fēnggé chéngxiàn, Guān zhòng de qīwàng, Liú shēnkè de yìnxiàng, Yōu yăjīng diăn de shèjì, Liú fàng wú jìn de yìniàn! Dāngdài wáwa yāo, Xīn shăngzhĕ jì xùlái, Kàn zuì xīn de chuàngzuò, Xiăng chū de ài héqíng! Xiànzài jiùzuò xialái, Fàngsōng de xiūxi bā, Hĕn gāoxìng yŏu gè guìbīn, Tóngbàn huìyì lái zhèngshí, Dāngdài wáwa zhēn yŏu fú! |
From north to south, east to west, Dangdai Dolls are on a quest, To welcome you with open arms, A smile, a laugh, and all the best! Dangdai Dolls march on possessed, By passions to ride upon a crest, Of waves, stones, sand-washed bones, Always looking freshly dressed! Inventions of style are so expressed, That viewers desire and are impressed, By the grace and elegance of designs, Flowing from a fountain of minds! Dangdai Dolls have one request: Admirers visit and keep abreast, Of latest creations to leave the nest, Ideas alive with love and zest! Sit and relax now, take a rest, We’re pleased to have a special guest, Company and conversation do attest: Dangdai Dolls are truly blessed! |
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