TECHNOLOGICAL MEDIA AND BODILY EXPRESSION: THE CROSS-CULTURAL FORMATION OF PERFORMANCE AESTHETICS IN THE SILENT FILM ERA (1905-1930)

Author: Dr Liu Pei

ABSTRACT

The silent film era from 1905 to 1930 marked a crucial phase in the evolution of film art from its nascent form to maturity. During this period, technological media, as the material foundation of film art, established a close interactive relationship with actors’ bodily expressions. The photosensitive properties of film materials, the frame rate limitations of filming equipment, the development of editing techniques, and variations in projection conditions collectively shaped the unique mode of bodily performance in silent films. Meanwhile, with the increasing frequency of global film exchanges, there was extensive collision and integration of silent film performance aesthetics across diverse cultural contexts. This study focuses on this historical process by examining the mechanisms through which technological media shaped bodily expressions, analyzing differences in performance traditions across cultures, and exploring the generative logic of performance aesthetics in cross-cultural exchanges. It not only offers a fresh perspective for understanding the historical evolution of film performance art but also provides a historical reference for bodily expressions in contemporary cross-cultural film and television production.

Keywords: Silent Film Era; Technological Media; Bodily Expression; Performance Aesthetics; Cross-cultural Formation

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