Papercutting

Papercutting is the art of cutting paper designs. The art has evolved uniquely all over the world to adopt to different cultural styles.

History

The oldest surviving paper cut out is a symmetrical circle from the 6th century found in Xinjiang ChinaNeedham, Joseph. Chemistry and Chemical Technology. [1974] (1974). Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0521086906] . By the eighth or ninth century papercutting appeared in West Asia and in Turkey in the 16th century. Within a century, papercutting was being done in most of middle Europe.

Chinese

Chinese Paper Cutting 剪紙 was the first style developed in China, since Cai Lun invented paper in the region. There are a number of distinct uses for the paper cut outs in Chinese culture, almost all of which are for health, prosperity or decorative purposes. Where it is different compared to other cultural style is the extensive use of red. Also it has a heavy emphasis on single or a few Chinese characters often symbolizing with the Chinese Zodiac animals.

Japanese

Kirie is the Japanese art of paper cutting, while Kirigami, also called Monkiri, involves cutting and folding paper.

Indian

Indian Traditional Paper Cutting Art created without any drawing or tracing presented through original and innovative designs in different styles by Ustad Kalakar Prabal Pramanik. http://www.papercuttingartprabal.com/index.html

Sanjhi is the Indian art of paper cutting. The cut paper is usually placed on the floor and colors are filled in to make Rangoli. http://www.craftandartisans.com/sanjih-hand-cutting-of-paper-for-rangoli.html

European

Scherenschnitte means "scissors cutting" and is the German and Swiss art of paper cutting. Wycinanki also means "scissors cutting" and is a Polish style of papercutting. In Turkey, the practice is called "ka 'ti" while the paper artists are called "katta."

Jewish/Israeli

Papercutting has been a common Jewish art form since the Middle Ages. In 1345, Rabbi Shem-Tov ben Yitzhak ben Ardutiel, finding that his ink had frozen, continued to write the manuscript by cutting the letters into the paper. By about the 17th century, papercutting had become a popular form for small religious artifacts such as mizrachs and Shavuot decorations. In the 20th century, the art of Jewish papercutting was revived in Israel. Today it is most commonly used for mizrachs and ketubot.

Mexican

Papel picado is the Mexican art of paper cutting.

Other

Silhouette can refer to the art of cutting outlines or portraits out of black paper. Modern-day papercutters typically follow one or more of the "traditional" styles listed above, while others have begun to expand the art into new styles, motifs, and designs.

ee also

* Chinese Paper Folding

Notes

External links

* [http://www.papercutters.info Papercutting artists both living and historical]
* [http://www.papercutters.org Guild of American Papercutters]
* [http://www.perfnova.com/papercutting Chinese Paper Cutting]
* [http://nexcite.ocnk.net Japanese Paper Cutting RENZOH]