Longdong folk paper-cut art and patterns
Speaking of Longdong, the first thing that comes to peoples minds is the loess and yellow sand on the Loess Plateau. But precisely because this is the place with the deepest loess layer on the Loess Plateau, the people who have lived here for generations have accumulated a rich folk culture. As we all know, the themes and types of traditional folk paper-cutting are closely related to folk culture and peoples daily life. Therefore, when a place or a region has a longer cultural inheritance and a stronger cultural atmosphere, the development of paper-cutting art there will be diverse and rich. .
Longdong folk paper-cutting is part of the many folk arts in Longdong. Due to its close connection with Longdong culture, the local flavor of paper-cutting here is even stronger. The older generation on the Loess Plateau mainly live in cave dwellings. Under the influence of cave dwelling culture, the simple and natural characteristics have been transferred from daily life to peoples paper-cut art creation. Coupled with the creative processing and modification of Longdong people who are full of wisdom and wisdom for generations, Longdong paper-cut has formed its own unique paper-cut. culture.
Longdong paper-cutting is quite different from other paper-cuttings in terms of style and element shaping. Longdong paper-cutting has a wide range of themes, covering every aspect of daily life. Anyone who is familiar with Longdong paper-cutting knows that its paper-cutting shapes are bold and exaggerated. It uses a simple and simple cutting technique to simply and neatly cut the characters or things that need to be expressed on the paper. Although the lines are rough and unrestrained, it conveys What emerged was the Longdong people’s yearning and pursuit of happiness and a better life.
Although the times have developed to this day, Longdong paper-cutting still has strong artistic vitality and appeal with its unique style and artistic achievements. This artistic achievement and artistic status have also won recognition from the national folk art circle. It is widely recognized and won the honor of being one of the "Five Golden Flowers" of Qingyang Mingjian Culture.
Of course, the content of racial reproduction and reproductive worship related to the pursuit of life, love for life, and inheritance of life are the largest number of traditional folk paper-cuts in Longdong, and are also an important feature of traditional folk art. Particularly worth mentioning are the "Tree of Life" works with plant themes. This kind of tree is the legendary sacred tree that can reach the sky and the earth., is a common theme in Longdong paper-cutting. His works are a culmination of life induction theory, yin and yang theory, reproductive worship, and totem worship, showing the harmonious coexistence of man and nature, and the dependence of man and animals on each other, expressing the dynamic life atmosphere in the universe, and injecting endless life into people. pursuit and expectation.
Longdong traditional folk paper-cutting is simple, simple and full of fantasy. It is mainly used to decorate the doors, windows, kangs, stoves, etc. of cave dwellings. Decoration is its main function. The main material is red paper, which symbolizes happiness, and scissors are used as the main means. All parts of the finished product must be connected into one. When cutting the work, the artist should avoid long lines that stretch alone and strive to connect with other parts in order to ensure the completeness of the work and the stability of the form. The formal beauty of paper-cutting must meet this prerequisite, so when cutting the work, In order to take into account the connection, the shape must be flexible and changeable, forming a rich and unique "connected" shape. Due to the guarantee of "connection", soft and fragile paper can be cut into long, stiff and stiff threads, as well as tight, curved and soft filaments. Longdong paper-cutting generally adopts a composition that is symmetrical about the left and right centers and balanced up and down. Through the use of points, lines, and surfaces, especially symmetrical forms such as crescent lines, dots, leaf patterns, and flowers, the paper-cutting works produce a beautiful and harmonious rhythm. Most of the animals and characters are shaped in profile, making the image more prominent and beautiful, thereby enhancing the decorative effect.
Longdong folk paper-cutting art fully expresses the connotation of Longdongs simple culture. It is a reflection of the unique temperament of Longdong people, has a strong local flavor, and highlights the beauty of Longdong peoples life. The positive life attitude and natural and implicit aesthetic feelings of Longdong folk artists bring us the pure perception of life or the original spirit of artistic creation.
(Li Yunfeng)
