Papercuts

 

 

Welcome to the Year of the Ox,

which starts on January 26, 2009.

 

The emphasis this year is on effort and commitment,

and law, order and security reign supreme.

Strong, hard working and reliable, the Ox has served

mankind well and is a dutiful worker.

He proceeds in a sure and measured way,

and his year favors traditional paths and values.

The Ox has a strong practical edge,

and the emphasis is on ACTION.

It is certain to be a year of steady growth

and historic developments!

 

We wish you good fortune and every success

in the interesting year ahead.

Papercuts are one of China's most popular forms of visual art. Paper and scissors are the usual materials utilized, but sometimes an engraving knife is used. Paper cuttings have been a traditional art form that can be traced back to the 6th century, but only became widespread a few centuries later. These art forms are mainly used as decorations and patterns for religious and ornamental purposes.

Paper-cuttings have different uses or purposes. They can be used as an ornament in gates, windows, walls, columns, mirrors, lamps and lanterns, and are still widely used today in some important festivals, especially during ChineseNew Year. It is very important to put paper-cuttings at the entrance to your home for it brings good luck for the family. These paper-cuttings also serve as presents or as decorations on the gifts. Paper cuttings can also be used for religious purposes. These serve as decorations for sacrificial offerings to the ancestors or to the gods. These art works are sometimes used as embroidery patterns for clothes and lacquer work.

This art form has a long history. Its uses influenced decorative patterns, leather silhouettes, printed cloths, embroideries and paintings. Folk paper-cuttings imitate nature's forms by way of making characters, symbols, and other ways to portray nature with the beautiful paper-cutting patterns. Various paper objects are buried with the deceased or are burned with other symbolic figures of the dead. This practice is still observed in some parts of China today.

Paper-cuttings are all hand-made. There are two common practices in making paper-cuttings: the scissor cutting and knife cutting techniques.  A pair of scissors is used in the scissor cutting technique. Several of these scissor-cut paper strips are fastened together. There are commonly eight pieces for one pattern. The artist cuts the motif with sharp, pointed scissors to shape the desired pattern. Knife cuttings, on the other hand, is a method where the artist puts several layers of paper on a relatively soft foundation consisting of a mixture of tallow and ashes. Then the artist holds a sharp knife vertically and cuts the motif into the paper by following a pattern. Considerably more paper-cuttings can be made with the knife cutting technique than the scissor cutting technique in less time and effort.

In Chinese folk culture, the art of paper-cutting occupies a significant amount of time allotment in various folk activities. As early as the Southern Song dynasty, professional paper-cutting craftsmen were known. It was once a handicraft that every native girl mastered. Paper-cut craftsmanship was often used to judge good brides-to-be. At present, paper-cut craftsmanship can only be seen primarily with countrywomen and girls.

To see a video about papercuts, go to http://artezanolinks.blogspot.com/2009/02/chinese-paper-cutting-symbolic-figures.html

No picture galleries have been created! To create a new gallery, select "create a new gallery" from the options above.