It's all in your camera... Click!

Yesterday the Chinese New Year was celebrated in London, one week after its real arrival last week. Trafalgar Square and China Town were bustling with crowds, apparently eager to see the numerous executions of the lion dance, the dragon's swirling movements, the various artists and their tricks. Since I don't know when I will have the opportunity to visit China and see these traditions in a more authentic environment  I figured out it would be a good idea to go and see.

Some years ago I saw a traditional shadow puppet theatre from Bali and was amazed at the energy and movement that Asian performers are able to transmit through puppets and the subtle effects created by their colourful costumes. It was the first time that I saw what Chinese call 'The Lion dance', which is generally performed by two people, one being the head and upper body of the animal and the second animating its back paws. Although there were many interpretations around China Town, I think that the one presented in Trafalgar Square was the best. The performers were two young brothers, who were clearly very skilled. The doll moved with dexterity, jumping around on the wooden polls and whenever it turned around, making its stomach visible, you could spot the performers and see how they moved to animate the lion. The expressivity of the lion was not only given by the fast and diverse moves, but also by some little details on its head, which permitted winking and ear movement. 

Being a big event, it was obviously very hard to see everything live, so a big screen allowed most people to see what was going on stage, though omitting the brightness and texture of the real colours. The audience. It was the saddest audience I ever saw. I just couldn't figure out why they were there. Oh yes, to take pictures. I must admit that the ladies presenting the event were not very good at getting the crowds excited, but on such events people are ususally there to have fun together; shouting at the top of your voice and clapping hands is a normal reaction one would expect. There were no reactions whatsoever, I found myself  clapping and saying 'Kung hei fat choi' along with a few more people, while everyone else was looking at their digital cameras' screens. Not something new, of course, but I was still shocked at how people seemed so indifferent and couldn't help wondering whether their impressions are formed solely on the digital reproduction of the images or also on the 3D, live effect. 

Somebody standing in front of me was filming for around ten minutes and then spend the remaining time of the performance watching his footage, claiming it was so much better than what was showing on the big screen. But what was better about it? It's funny, if somebody found themselves there without a camera, would they be able to prove they were really there?