The traditional venue for playing the qin was either alone in meditation, or in a small "elegant gathering" of like-minded people where they might also look at paintings, recite poetry, do calligraphy. In art such gatherings are often depicted under the theme Four Arts.

This could well be described as a traditional multi-media event. In several recitals I have tried to recapture this atmosphere by including Powerpoint projections of relevant images such as those I have online, here linked at "Art illustrating guqin melodies". In other cases I have brought along actual paintings. I have also played at art exhibitions that include relevant paintings.¹

Of particular note here are melodies for which I have illustrations not just for the melody, but for each section of the melody. At present this includes the following illustrations:

By comparison, see Silk Stone Moving, a multi-media event with qin, dance, and more contemporary images.

 
Footnotes (Shorthand references are explained on a separate page)

1. Qin programs for art exhibitions
Two examples are Fantastic Mountains and In Pursuit of Mist and Clouds.
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