China News Network, Shandong Jiaozhou, October 10 Topic: Shandong Jiaozhou paper-cutting artists "produce flowers on paper" to show fingertip art between square inches
Written by Mingrui Li
A pair of scissors, a piece of red paper, "dancing" up and down, intricate plum blossom patterns have jumped on the paper. Recently, in the studio of Dong Lixia, the representative inheritor of Jiaozhou paper-cutting, the reporter saw red paper "butterflying" in her hands, performing "fingertip art" between square inches.
One by one, the red paper "butterflyed" in Dong Lixia's hands. Photo by Li Mingrui
Paper cutting, also known as paper carving, is a folk art that uses scissors or carving knives to cut patterns on paper to decorate life or cooperate with other folk activities. Jiaozhou paper-cutting has a long history and is an important representative of paper-cutting in Shandong, and it is also the collective name of paper-cutting art in Jiaozhou, Jiaonan and Huangdao. According to the excavation records of tombs in the Jiaozhou area, in 1954, five paper-cutting paintings from the Ming Dynasty were unearthed in Zhangjiaming (Ming Tomb) in Shanzi Village, Yanghe Town, Jiaozhou, proving that the history of paper-cutting in Jiaozhou is at least 5 years old.
Dong Lixia teaches students to cut paper. Photo by Li Mingrui
"I've loved paper cutting since I was a kid." Dong Lixia recalled how to get acquainted with paper-cutting, she said that when she was a child, every New Year, every family would paste window flowers, and when she saw the variety of window flowers, she liked them very much, so she imitated window flowers and learned to cut them. "I have persevered until now."
"After retiring in 2009, I began to enter the University for the Elderly and systematically learn Jiaozhou paper-cutting." Dong Lixia said in an interview with reporters that after systematic learning and continuous exploration, she found that Jiaozhou paper-cutting is finely carved, the tone of the pattern is bright and simple, and the craftsmanship and charm have the characteristics of the south exquisite and delicate, which is the product of the cultural integration of the north and the south. "A paper cut contains a lot of customs, folk tales, myths and legends. It is not only a hollow red piece of paper, but also one of the best chroniclers of this era. ”
After deeply experiencing the rich connotation of paper-cutting, Dong Lixia told reporters that since 2013, she has begun to use Jiaozhou paper-cutting's unique delicate craftsmanship show, concise and bright to record the folk culture of various places. "The Yangge of Jiaozhou, the buckle bowl of Shaanxi, and the phoenix peony of Hebei are all elements of my works."
In 2016, in order to participate in the program of "Chinese National Song Conference" and widely spread the art of paper-cutting in Jiaozhou, Dong Lixia spent more than 20 days creating more than 200 paper-cutting works, using street shops and buildings and various forms of the world to express the lively grandeur of the gathering and decorate the stage. She said, "Seeing the enthusiastic response from the audience and the love of Jiaozhou paper-cutting, I felt that everything was worth it." ”
Dong Lixia's paper-cutting class. Photo by Li Mingrui
When asked how to better inherit the paper-cutting skills of Jiaozhou, Dong Lixia said that in recent years, she has continued to bring paper-cutting to campus to let students understand the rich and colorful history and culture of paper-cutting. At the same time, she has also participated in intangible cultural heritage community activities many times, and through "hand-to-hand" teaching, she has brought paper-cutting to thousands of households. "Whether adults or children, as long as they like paper-cutting and are willing to learn, I am willing to teach."
"I want to do my best to inherit our national art and take our road of paper-cutting, hoping to bring Jiaozhou paper-cutting to more and more places and let more people appreciate the art of paper-cutting." Talking about the future, Dong Lixia said. (End)