Local Inheritance and Innovation of Chinese Acrobatic Technology: Take Wuhan's "Flying Trapeze" as a Case

Abstract

This study uses Wuhan's "Flying trapeze" project as a case study to explore innovative pathways for China's 3,600-year-old acrobatic art in modern society. Facing challenges such as intangible cultural heritage preservation and aesthetic diversification, Wuhan acrobatics has achieved innovation in transmission models by transitioning from a family-apprentice system to formally organized troupes for institutionalized inheritance; it has deepened its cultural connotations by integrating Chu-style cultural elements (e.g., plum blossoms, phoenix totems) and local Wuhan cultural characteristics; and it has revolutionized artistic expression through narrative transformation, technological empowerment, and cross-disciplinary integration. Despite pressures from talent gaps and market demands, Wuhan acrobatics’ systematic innovations demonstrate effective strategies for the contemporary development of traditional Chinese performing arts.