Created by Cai Lun back in China’s Eastern Han Dynasty, paper is one of China’s four great inventions alongside printing, gunpowder and the compass. The art form of jianzhi, literally ‘paper cutting’ in English, also evolved in the Middle Kingdom, and its current incarnation is practically identical to the art’s sixth-century origins.
A constructive hobby choice for anyone who's handy with a blade, paper cutting is particularly popular around Chinese New Year and weddings. Decorative in nature, cutouts are often referred to as chuang hua (窗花), meaning ‘window flower,’ because they are commonly hung in windowpanes, as well as doorways. Designs are predominantly red, a lucky color in China, while patterns usually reflect people’s wishes for the future and are heavily associated with the Chinese zodiac. Characters for fortune (福, fu) and double happiness (喜喜, shuang xi) are popular motifs.
Jianzhi requires a steady hand, but is otherwise a piece of cake to pick up. To make a simple cutout, draw the outline of the pattern on the paper and then scissor around it. For enhanced results, use an engraving knife to facilitate more delicate and refined designs. Often, a complex piece will be constructed from separate parts that are then sewn together.
// See examples and try your own hand at this ancient art at the Han Yan Paper Cutting Art Gallery, Duansheng Family School, Huangpu Village, Haizhu District, Guangzhou 广州市黄埔古村端生家塾内
0 User Comments