New achievements in Bie-modernist related research have been added – Two master’s degree theses from Shanghai Normal University have passed the defense.

On the afternoon of May 14, 2025, the master’s thesis defense of the 2022 grade of the Literature and Artology major at the School of Humanities of Shanghai Normal University was held in Room 666 of Wenyuan Building. The master’s theses on Bie-modernist related research by Wang Hui and Zhang Baomin participated in the defense. Professor Tang Yonghua from East China Normal University served as the chairperson of the defense committee, while Professors Chen Wei, Li Dan, Wang Hongchao and Pan Liyong from Shanghai Normal University were members of the defense committee, and 2023 grade master’s student Ru Yilin served as the secretary of the defense.

Wang Hui’s master’s thesis, “Research on the ‘Bie-Modernist Aesthetic’ and ‘Aesthetic Modernity’ Theoretical Issues of Dalang’s Songs”, takes Dalang’s songs as the entry point, focusing on the “modern aesthetic” features presented in their content, form and effect. It points out the limitations of the “aesthetic modernity” theory in explaining local artistic phenomena. The thesis introduces the theory of “Bie-Modernism”, with “modernity in art and aesthetics” as the core proposition, and reinterprets the significant value of Dalang’s songs. The thesis clearly states that “Bie- Modernism” is an important theoretical resource proposed in the Chinese real context. Contemporary China is still in the stage where modernity is not fully developed, with pre-modern, modern and post-modern attributes coexisting. Under this background, Dalang’s songs criticize “pseudo-modernity” through aesthetic means, call for “true modernity”, and fulfill the mission of criticizing reality and enlightening the public in art. Their aesthetic orientation is highly consistent with the theoretical stance emphasized by “Bie-Modernism”. The defense committee unanimously approved the thesis defense, highly evaluating the academic value of the thesis, and considering its unique topic, clear problem awareness, reasonable theoretical application, and strong academic innovation ability.

Zhang Baomin’s master’s thesis, titled “Construction of the Theory System of Human-Created Environmental Aesthetics and Practical Reflection”, breaks away from the traditional environmental aesthetics paradigm. It creatively integrates the “Leap Forward Stopping” methodology and the theory of life equity, proposing that human-created environmental aesthetics should take into account both “dehumanization of the center” and the subjective value of human beings. Through case analysis, the thesis demonstrates the necessity of maintaining humanistic care within the framework of ecological ethics, providing an important reference for the localization development of environmental aesthetics.

The defense committee unanimously approved the defense of this thesis and fully affirmed its interdisciplinary research value. They believed that this thesis has made a breakthrough in the combination of theory and practice, with a rigorous logic and clear exposition, and has significant theoretical forward-looking qualities.