From Space to Scene: An Analysis of the Innovative Mechanisms of Artistic Empowerment in Leisure Cultural Spaces of Small and Medium-sized Cities
Liu Xiaoli1, Zhang Haixia2
1.Zhejiang Institute for Cultural and Tourism Development, Zhejiang Tourism College,Hangzhou 311113, China 2.School of Public Administration, Zhejiang Gongshang University,Hangzhou 310018, China
Abstract:As leisure innovation and new productive forces emerge as key drivers of urban cultural development, the reconstruction of leisure-oriented cultural spaces through artistic intervention has become a pressing issue of both theoretical and practical significance for small and medium-sized cities. This study focuses on the transformation mechanisms of leisure cultural spaces in such cities under the empowerment of art. It aims at transcending the traditional space–function logic by shifting toward a scene–meaning dimension, thus exploring how art can revitalize spatial cultural vitality and foster collective identity in the urban context.The research begins by distinguishing between the concepts of space and scene, arguing that innovation in leisure-oriented cultural space hinges on the transformation from a functional physical entity to a meaningful and emotionally resonant scene imbued with cultural significance. These spaces are understood not merely as geographic locales but as hybrid fields intertwining sensory perception, cultural symbolism, and social action. The theoretical framework integrates Heidegger’s notion of “Poetic Dwelling”, Lefebvre’s theory of the production of space, and Terry Clark’s scene theory to construct a three-dimensional analytical model comprising authenticity, theatricality, and legitimacy. Furthermore, the study reveals a conceptual resonance between this triadic model and Bernard Basanquet’s aesthetic principles—namely the metaphysical, aesthetic, and moral dimension—suggesting a deep-seated coupling between artistic practices and the cultural transformation of space.Within this framework, art is positioned as a generative force in cultural practice, capable of activating local cultural resources, reconfiguring narrative aesthetics, and engaging the public in participatory co-creation. These mechanisms collectively enable the transition of leisure spaces from sites of functional use to culturally meaningful scenes.The empirical analysis features two representative cases The study offers three key innovations. First, it introduces a conceptual shift from “space” to “scene” as a new lens for understanding leisure cultural spaces in small and medium-sized cities. Second, it develops a structured empowerment model based on authenticity, theatricality, and legitimacy, thereby elucidating the internal logic and operational mechanisms of artistic spatial intervention. Third, it engages with the contemporary discourse on Chinese cultural subjectivity, emphasizing the irreplaceable role of local cultural logics and Eastern aesthetic traditions in the reconstruction of cultural spaces. The empirical analysis features two representative cases The study offers three key innovations. First, it introduces a conceptual shift from “space” to “scene” as a new lens for understanding leisure cultural spaces in small and medium-sized cities. Second, it develops a structured empowerment model based on authenticity, theatricality, and legitimacy, thereby elucidating the internal logic and operational mechanisms of artistic spatial intervention. Third, it engages with the contemporary discourse on Chinese cultural subjectivity, emphasizing the irreplaceable role of local cultural logics and Eastern aesthetic traditions in the reconstruction of cultural spaces. The empirical analysis features two representative cases The study offers three key innovations. First, it introduces a conceptual shift from “space” to “scene” as a new lens for understanding leisure cultural spaces in small and medium-sized cities. Second, it develops a structured empowerment model based on authenticity, theatricality, and legitimacy, thereby elucidating the internal logic and operational mechanisms of artistic spatial intervention. Third, it engages with the contemporary discourse on Chinese cultural subjectivity, emphasizing the irreplaceable role of local cultural logics and Eastern aesthetic traditions in the reconstruction of cultural spaces.
刘晓丽, 张海霞. 从空间到场景:艺术赋能中小城市休闲文化空间创新机制分析[J]. 浙江大学学报(人文社会科学版), 2025, 55(8): 120-134.
Liu Xiaoli, Zhang Haixia. From Space to Scene: An Analysis of the Innovative Mechanisms of Artistic Empowerment in Leisure Cultural Spaces of Small and Medium-sized Cities. JOURNAL OF ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY, 2025, 55(8): 120-134.
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