Chinanews.com, Nanjing, January 20th (Xu Shanshan) In Nanjing, Jiangsu, there is Chen Yao, an inheritor of intangible cultural heritage on "fingertips". He spent more than 50 years making countless paper-cut works. There is a meaning and story behind every piece of paper-cut, which contains profound folk culture connotation, which can be said to be "a piece is hard to find".
The reporter came to Chen Yao's studio a few days ago to explore the intangible cultural heritage of paper-cutting.
Behind each paper-cut there is a moral, a story, and a profound folk culture connotation.
Photo by Yang Bo
How wonderful is the intangible cultural heritage "rabbit paper"?
A piece of red paper, a pair of scissors, dexterous fingers flying left and right on the paper, and after a while, lifelike rabbits with different shapes jumped out of the paper, which is amazing.
The Year of the Rabbit is around the corner, and Chen Yao has created more than 20 paper-cut works, combining intangible cultural heritage culture with zodiac elements to entrust his beautiful vision for the New Year.
According to Chen Yao, the auspicious blessings of rabbits include "Auspicious rabbits send blessings" and "Jade rabbits bring good luck" and so on.
Among the folk patterns, the elements that match rabbits include peony, which symbolizes wealth; cabbage, which has a homophonic sound of wealth; and pomegranate, which means many children. "The combination of rabbits and these auspicious elements forms a new pattern and is endowed with a new meaning. "
The Year of the Rabbit is around the corner, and Chen Yao has created more than 20 paper-cut works, combining intangible cultural heritage culture with zodiac elements to entrust his beautiful vision for the New Year.
Photo by Yang Bo
"The homonym of rabbit is 'Tuzi', which is more prosperous than that of human beings, and the descendants are continuous." Chen Yao took the work "Jade Rabbit Welcomes Spring" as an example. The peony symbolizes wealth, and the homonym of butterfly is "invincible". The combination of the two means wealth and invincibility. The overall work Integrating pomegranate, peach and other auspicious elements, it means more blessings, longevity and children.
In "Happy Year of the Rabbit", Chen Yao created a picture of a fat doll pulling a rabbit lantern on the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. There is a little rabbit on the tail of the big rabbit, which is vivid and interesting.
The fat doll is called "Fuwa". She wears a tiger-headed hat, a small flower pocket, small flower shoes on her feet, and holds a small windmill in her hand. She is very cute.
The work also has the auspicious meaning of double happiness and happy eyebrows.
The fat doll is called "Fuwa". She wears a tiger-headed hat, a small flower pocket, small flower shoes on her feet, and holds a small windmill in her hand. She is very cute.
Photo provided by the interviewee
There is a big culture in the small paper-cut
Influenced by the neighbor's grandfather, Chen Yao began to learn paper-cutting skills at an early age and gradually matured, forming his own paper-cutting style. "When I was five or six years old, I became very interested in paper-cutting. Small fish, small frogs, etc." Chen Yao said that his paper-cutting is "addition", and each work must be expressed through many auspicious elements, so the work looks full and rich.
For Chen Yao, every Lunar New Year is not a Chinese New Year without paper-cutting. "This is a skill handed down from generation to generation. Paper-cutting is the highlight of the New Year custom. Whoever posts more and the patterns are exquisite will be more auspicious and festive." At the same time, paper-cutting also has the functions of warding off evil spirits, eliminating disasters, removing filth, and improving health in folk customs."
The picture shows the work "Auspicious Rabbit Lucky".
Among the folk patterns, the element that matches the rabbit is cabbage, which is a homonym for Baicai.
Photo provided by the interviewee
While creating art, Chen Yao also went to campuses and other places to teach paper-cutting skills to children, college students, overseas Chinese, overseas students, elderly people, etc. At the same time, he also rushed to various places to actively participate in cultural exchange activities and exhibitions.
"There is a big culture in a small paper-cut, which contains many meanings." Chen Yao said that the art of paper-cutting is one of the ancient Chinese folk arts. Scissors or carving knives cut patterns on paper to decorate life, not only It is a kind of visual enjoyment. Each pattern contains rich folk wisdom and cultural and historical information, expressing people's yearning for a happy life and hope for a better future.
While creating art, Chen Yao also went to campuses and other places to teach paper-cutting skills to children, college students, overseas Chinese, overseas students, and the elderly.
Photo provided by the interviewee
"Integrity" is the foundation of inheritance and innovation
How can intangible cultural heritage paper-cut be better inherited in contemporary times?
Chen Yao believes that "keeping the integrity" is the foundation of inheritance and innovation. "Paper-cutting has its own elements and language. This is the language of paper-cutting. Inheritance and innovation must be carried out in the language of paper-cutting. Without this foundation, it can only be called the art of paper." "
During his breaks, Chen Yao was not idle. He taught his three or four-year-old granddaughter how to cut paper rabbits.
He said: "The most effective way to inherit culture is to start from the baby."
During his breaks, Chen Yao was not idle. He taught his three or four-year-old granddaughter how to cut paper rabbits.
Photo provided by the interviewee
Chen Yao emphasized the off-script teaching method, that is, without copying the manuscript, let the children make it with their own hands. Although it is difficult at the beginning, after the children try it, they will become more interested and create according to their own imagination. "Interest is the best teacher. But folk art can also cultivate people's good character. Paper is fragile, so learners must be careful, patient, persistent and enthusiastic. The process of paper-cutting can cultivate people's thinking ability, adaptability, coordination ability, aesthetic ability, etc. "
"During the New Year, when overseas Chinese living abroad see the touch of 'Chinese red' in paper-cutting, they will have a strong cohesion and arouse strong nostalgia. I think this is the origin of paper-cutting as a traditional Chinese culture and folk custom. Where the charm and value lie." Chen Yao said.
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