A renewed conception of the aesthetics of kunqu opera in the work of Ke Jun

This article explores the aesthetic and philosophical concepts that Ke Jun, a contemporary kunqu performer, has developed over his career. Ke Jun is one of the most prominent and active representatives of contemporary kunqu, having created his own unique artistic language over more than two decades. This language combines elements of both traditional and avant-garde approaches. Throughout his career, Ke Jun has been studying the deep foundations of traditional kunqu while actively incorporating elements of Western classical music and theater arts. The article starts with a brief introduction to Ke Jun, highlighting his extensive experience in traditional kunqu. It then discusses the expressive power of the avant-garde kunqu operas that Ke Jun has created and performed throughout his career. Finally, the article analyzes two key elements of Ke Jun's aesthetic and philosophical concepts: the dialectical relationship between tradition and the avant-garde, and the connection between the avant-garde and humanistic spirituality. The novelty of this article lies in its multifaceted interpretation of Ke Jun's performance experience and innovation from the perspective of his micro-artistic life history. The article argues that Ke Jun deserves high praise for his achievements in performing and preserving the historical heritage of traditional kunqu opera. His avant-garde works not only transform the traditional classical flavor of Chinese opera but also seek to harmoniously blend the cultural traditions of the East and West. This initiative represents a positive exploration of possible development paths for kunqu and serves as a theoretical basis for his philosophical view of art. As a result, Ke Jun acts as a driving force in the modernization of kunqu, confirming his significance in the contemporary context of Chinese theater art.

Ke Jun, kunqu opera, traditional theater, avant-garde theater, art, aesthetics, philosophy of theater, intercultural mobility, language of art, national culture