Artefacts

Beijing 2008, costume created for a group dancer of the Opera segment at the opening ceremony.

Physical description

Costume composed of a wig, a skirt and outfit, a bolero vest, a large belt and a cape in Organza embroidered with flowers in lurex (peonies?).

Created

Created: Eiko ISHIOKA Created: Beijing Baorong Baoyi Garments & Accessories Co Ltd.

Materials

textile, organic matter, plastic, polyester

Colors

gold, multi coloured, orange

Literature

ZENG, G. The making of China: The construction of Chineseness during the Beijing Olympics. Asmterdam: Amsterdam School for Cultural Analysis, 2013.

Type of item

Clothes and Accessories -> costume

Reference number

232287

Ensemble

Keywords

Opening ceremony Beijing 2008, Olympic Games China, People's Republic of Female costume Music

Notes

A global event such as the opening of the Games offers the host country a chance to promote its achievements. For Beijing 2008, 5,000 years of Chinese history were interwoven in a non-chronological performance. Chinese culture was presented in two parts: the first focused on traditional high culture – music and opera, calligraphy and painting. The second was devoted to the Four Great Inventions of papermaking, gunpowder (displayed through fireworks), typography (movable type-printing) and the compass. This shimmering costume in organza and lurex featured in the Opera segment.