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Chinese
Paper-cut |
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Artistic Creations from
Nimble Fingers |
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Paper
cutting is a traditional art that has evolved through-out
the course of Chinese cultural development. Its origin
should be closely connected with the invention of
paper during the Han dynasty (206 B.C.-221 A.D.).
As paper was highly precious in the early days, the
art of paper cutting first became popular in the
royal palaces and houses of nobility as a favorite
pastime among court ladies. Later, during the 7th
through 13th centuries, paper cutting was immensely
popular during folk festivals and celebrations. By
the 14th century, the art had spread to the Middle
East and Europe ; and by the 15th century onward,
paper cut art works had become and integral part
of the everyday life of the people. However, the
art of paper cutting was on the verge of dying out
during the past century as old China experienced
successive years of the disaster of war brought on
by domestic turmoil and foreign invasion. Amidst
a myriad of changes in their lives, most people had
no leisure time to engage in the study of the art
of paper cutting. |
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The
Republic of China on Taiwan has been actively promoting
the renaissance of Chinese culture since the 1980s. The
art of paper cutting has again received a great deal of
attention because of heavy publicity, resulting in even
more innovative artwork. |
The
influence of paper cutting on continental Europe and Asia
can be traced back to the seventh century. It spread to
Japan and then to the Middle East and Europe via the Silk
Road , thus leading to the development of many diverse
styles. Today, many valuable ancient paper cutouts are
kept in the national museums of these countries. |
The
art of paper cutting has remained unfading in China through
the ages principally because its devotees used the skills
of knife and scissors to dynamically depict splendid Chinese
culture and folk festivals in all its many facets--in a
most interesting and likable way that is felt to be more
and more precious with the passage of time. |
For
example, noble ladies in ancient times would often use
paper cutting to practice their art during their leisure,
while social calls by ordinary folk involved giving paper
cuts as gifts and using paper cut fancy likenesses for
pretty adornment to signify auspiciousness. Subsequently,
mutual emulation and minute study led to a superb level
of technique. By later generations, paper cut art ranged
from clipping complicated patterns using a tiny pair of
scissors to often making cutouts into window decorations,
clothes-making stencils, or embroidery patterns for shoes. |
As
the art has been passed down through the generations,
the mainstream techniques developed many diverse
forms, but the themes of the subject matter have
primarily remained folk motifs, with two-dimensional
illustrations as the primary form. The technique
they display consists of a combination of trimming
with scissors and carving with a knife. The rendering
of their visual appearance involves such methods
as applying multiple layers of color, folding symmetrically,
individually pasting, or uniquely engraving. These
diversified cutting methods could be said to be quite
beautiful, but manifestation of the unique, lively
beauty of paper cut art still depends on the artistic
mastery of every paper cut artisan. |
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Chinese Zodiac
Paper-cut
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Generally
speaking, animated artistic creation is extraordinary because
of the artist, time, place, environment, and disposition.
Carved reproductions of paper cuttings for commercial purposes
can only remain at the level of mere handicrafts. |
In
recent years, Mrs. Linda Pu-fei Sun Yeh has revived the
art of traditional Chinese paper cutting through her diligent
study and uniquely creative style. As a result of her uncanny
cutting skill, the art has undergone a metamorphosis from
ordinary folk handicraft to works of a sophisticated, cultural
art standard. Every one of her paper cut art pieces is
an animated, vivid, and fascinating image that seems to
be three-dimensional. She has held many personal exhibitions
in renowned museums and cultural centers in Taiwan and
around the world. The worldwide acclaim has gained her
greater respect and recognition in the international art
arena. |
Nonetheless,
Mrs. Yeh feels that Chinese paper cutting art can seek
future development in the following directions that she
also intends to strive for. First, she calls on the public
to accord due respect for the traditional classic and elegant
style rather than cut reproductions and imitations with
a knife. Second, she advises artists to capture the sense
of rhythm in the folk art and explore new themes rather
than being confined to the conventional Chinese folk festivals.
Third, she has hopes that the art of paper cutting may
blend the romantic charm of traditional Chinese painting,
the fineness of embroidery, and the form in Western sculpture
in order to create a realistic sense of three-dimensional
imagery and revitalizing and animating the art form. |
Aside
from all this, engaging in the mastery and study of paper
cutting is a delightful recreation that nourishes the mind.
It cultivates patience and concentration among young people,
and diminishes loneliness for the middle-aged and elderly.
The art of paper cutting also contributes to close friendship
among associates, resulting in a sharing of experience
and wisdom. As a beneficial exercise for both the eyes
and the hands, this decorative art is a recreation that
transcends age limits. |
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The sense of fulfillment
in mastering a pair of scissors, the sense of being uplifted
in both the traditional and creative realms, and the satisfaction
of achieving the lofty ideals of truth, beauty and goodness,
fill the heart of an artist with indescribable joy. |
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