Chinese Shadow Play
This project reimagines the ancient Chinese art of shadow puppetry (皮影戏) through a playful and interactive LEGO® building experience. Blending traditional cultural elements with hands-on storytelling, the Shadow Play Stage invites users to build, learn, and perform—all within a miniature theater crafted from bricks.
Role Individual Project
Company LEGO
Project duration May 2025
About the Project
Step into the enchanting world of traditional Chinese storytelling with this buildable LEGO® Shadow Play Stage. Inspired by the centuries-old art of Chinese shadow puppetry (皮影戏), this set includes a beautifully detailed puppet stage, rows of seating for LEGO® Minifigures, and a large translucent screen (透写纸) designed to bring silhouettes to life. Intricate architectural elements, lantern-style lighting, and buildable puppets complete the scene, inviting young builders to explore culture through creativity.
Chinese Shadow Play
Chinese shadow play is a magical form of storytelling where characters made from paper or leather come to life behind a lit screen. With this LEGO® version, kids and families can build, learn, and play—all while celebrating a rich cultural tradition. This set invites builders to stage their own performances, tell imaginative tales, or recreate classic legends passed down through generations. It’s not just a model—it’s a mini theater of wonder and light.
Target Audience & Experience
Designed for curious creators ages 9 and up, this set sparks hands-on play and cultural discovery. Whether it’s a child exploring storytelling for the first time or a family building together, the experience is both fun and meaningful. As they craft the scene and animate their own puppets, kids get to direct their own shows and step into the role of storyteller—learning about history while building their imagination.
Aesthetic and Cultural Research
The design of the stage blends the grandeur of traditional Chinese opera theaters with the intimate charm of a shadow play booth. From sweeping curved rooflines and ornamental details to the compact puppet performance space, each element is carefully crafted to reflect authentic Chinese architecture. Decorative columns, lantern accents, and a layered roof structure bring the essence of a real 戏台 (xìtái) to life in miniature form—honoring history while making it accessible and playful for builders of all ages.
Quick Sketch
Shadow Play Puppet Design
The shadow play puppet is built using LEGO® Technic elements, allowing for articulated movement in the body, arms, legs, and hands. This flexible construction brings the character to life, enabling smooth motion and expressive storytelling during performances behind the screen.
Prototype 1
In Prototype One, I explored the fusion of two cultural storytelling forms by combining elements of a traditional Chinese opera stage with the distinctive screen used in shadow play performances. This hybrid structure aimed to honor the architectural richness and symbolic presence of classic theater stages while introducing the interactive, silhouette-driven magic of shadow puppetry. By layering these traditions into a single build, the prototype not only highlights the visual and structural aesthetics of each form but also invites users to engage with storytelling in a new, imaginative way—where history and play meet under one roof.
Prototype 2
In Prototype Two, I focused on creating a more elegant and refined interpretation of a traditional Chinese opera stage (戏曲), merging its ornate architectural elements with the interactive shadow play screen. This version emphasized visual richness and cultural depth, aiming to elevate the overall aesthetic experience. To enhance its sense of luxury and heritage, I drew inspiration from the iconic color palette of Dunhuang—blending deep teals, warm reds, and gold accents to echo the timeless beauty of ancient murals. The result is a stage that not only invites storytelling but also serves as a visually captivating tribute to Chinese artistic tradition.
©2024 CARINA LEE PORTFOLIO
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