标题: Paper Cut 剪纸 [打印本页] 作者: Helen 时间: 2017-5-31 20:54 标题: Paper Cut 剪纸 ↓回帖下载完整音频及双语全文↓
Paper Cut
剪纸
Paper cut is one of the most popular Chinese decorative folk arts. Traditional paper cut is also called “Window blossoms” because they were first put on windows for decoration. Other forms of paper cut are derived from the “window blossoms”.
Window blossoms are put on windows in all parts of China during Spring Festival. This custom has a long history which not only brings festivity to the holiday, but is also a symbol for people to express their wishes for welcoming the new year, blessings, and fortunes.
There are different styles of paper cut in different parts of China. Generally speaking, farming women from North China pay special attention to concept, so the design flows with their thoughts. Paper cut in South China is well known for its exquisite, elegant, realistic style. Therefore, northern and southern paper cut can be distinguished as free and rugged or elegant and exquisite, respectively. This reflects the difference in disposition and personality between the northern and southern parts of China.
Paper cut in Wei county, Hebei province represents northern style with its bright colors. The paper was carved using a carving knife instead of using scissors. In the windows, the bright colors combined with light to form lovely patterns and shadows.
At first, a carving mold should be designed, and then the lines of the pattern will be drawn. After that, the mold is put on a stack of paper and different kinds of knives are used to carve along the lines. The last step is to color the paper. Dyes are mixed with liquor and are brushed onto white paper. This procedure is called “smoking sample”. The wetted carved mold is put on white paper and smoked with a candle.
Before the copying machine was invented, the paper cut artists copied their carving mold using this technique. This five-meter-long and two-meter-high “Nine-dragon Paper cut” is carved on one piece of paper. It took eight artists four years to complete it. The nine dragons are not only vivid, but also each of the fine lines is connected.
The paper cuts have walked out from the domestic decoration to modern interior design. The art form is reflected on trade marks, advertisement, interior decoration, fashion design, book binding, stamp design and cartoon books. The theme is not limited to traditional Chinese life, but encompasses different cultural artifacts.
Let me show the basic steps of how to cut window blossoms.
我来为大家介绍一下剪普通窗花的基本步骤。
The first step is to fold. Fold a piece of squared paper along the diagonal into a triangle, and fold into another triangle.
第一步是“折”。把一张正方形的纸沿着对角线折成三角形，然后再对折一次。
Now we can start to cut. Window blossoms can be designed with irregular patterns. First cut an arch which will be the outline of the petals. After that use a pair of scissors to cut different kinds of curved lines and saw tooth. A half heart shape can also be cut.
The last step is to open up with light touch to avoid tear the fine connections. Lightly flat it, you will find a beautiful symmetrical pattern from a random cut.
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