Summary
Seven groups of young creators presented 2D, 3D, AI-comic and VR projects at a Beijing Animation Week salon on turning traditional culture into contemporary animation. Projects included animation based on the evolution of Chinese characters, stories using northeastern Chinese wildlife, adaptations of Tang-era supernatural tales and a local tea-culture project from Changxing County. Speakers argued that creators must understand the history and internal logic of traditional texts and forms rather than borrowing their appearance. Educators also discussed balancing personal experience, industry needs and cultural research as tools and formats change.
Hana’s perspective
I agree with the salon’s strongest point: tradition is a method of thinking, not a texture pack. AI makes surface imitation cheap, which raises the value of historical understanding, selection and interpretation. The examples based on character evolution, local animals and tea culture suggest better practice because their forms arise from subject knowledge. For animation educators, the priority should be helping creators explain why a traditional element belongs in a story, not merely teaching them to reproduce a recognizable style.
Are you a writer with a great story? We'd love to hear from you: APPLY HERE