The origin and development of Zhongyang folk paper-cutting
According to historical records, Zhongyang folk paper-cutting is related to Han Dynasty paintings. During 1984-1985, the Zhongyang County Cultural Center discovered many fossils of Han statues during its inspection of Han tombs unearthed in Daotang Village, Jinluo Town. Expert identification proved that many of them were from the Han Dynasty. Among the pictures were Many paper-cut patterns can prove that Zhongyang paper-cut existed in the Han Dynasty. In addition, a large number of Song Dynasty costumes were discovered in Shuiyu Village of this county in the 1980s. The patterns on these costumes are the same as those cut by modern Zhongyang folk paper-cutting artists. This can also explain that Zhongyang paper-cutting in the Song Dynasty It has reached a fairly developed level.
After the Tang and Song Dynasties, due to inconvenient transportation, remoteness and isolation, Zhongyang had fewer and fewer connections with the outside world, but at the same time it was rarely impacted by advanced outside culture, so the ancient art of Qin and Han Dynasties was well preserved here. This simple style is still fully reflected in the works of local folk paper-cutting artists. Paper-cutting in the above periods was mainly an art form enjoyed by the upper class, and this skill was rarely used by ordinary people. Zhongyang County is located in the Fenhe River Basin, with fertile land and concentrated population.
Since the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the local area has experienced economic prosperity and cultural development. Buddhist culture and opera art have been extremely prosperous. Coupled with the full development of the local commodity economy and the gradual emergence of the citizen class, these many factors have given birth to rich and colorful local folk art. Of course, folk paper-cutting in this period also accepted more influence from secular market culture, paying attention to its fun and appreciation value. The paper-cutting skills became more exquisite, reflecting the need for decoration. Its style is exquisite, gorgeous and fascinating. It can be said that During this period, the paper-cutting technique began to enter the daily lives of ordinary people from the upper class, and began to play an important role in peoples daily lives.
The New Culture Movement that emerged in the Shanxi-Sui Border Region in the 1940s injected new blood into Zhongyang folk paper-cutting. During this period, various folk arts were introduced, and folk paper-cutting showed new vitality and style. Everyone was slowly researching and creating new paper-cutting. The types and themes of paper-cutting were constantly expanded, and new varieties were constantly developed. It can be said that the art of paper-cutting was extremely active and prosperous during this period. Reform and OpeningSince then, with the county party committee and county government attaching great importance to and supporting Zhongyang folk paper-cutting, the development of paper-cutting art has entered a stage of unprecedented prosperity. Paper-cutting during this period was not only used to meet the needs of peoples daily lives, but more importantly, it has embarked on the road of industrial development and begun to create economic benefits as a cultural industry, while also exerting its own cultural functions. In 1985, the Paper-cutting Association was established in Zhongyang County; in 1986, the National Folk Paper-cutting Research Association (on-site meeting) was held in Zhongyang; in 1986, Zhongyang was awarded the title of "Hometown of Paper-cutting Art" by the Ministry of Culture; in 1992, Zhongyang County had another It was named "Hometown of Chinese Folk Art" by the Ministry of Culture.
In 2002, Zhongyang folk paper-cutting was included in the countys key cultural protection projects. The county committee set up special funds to protect it and passed on the paper-cut window grilles as a handicraft class for students in primary schools across the county. In September 2007, Zhongyang County successfully held the first Zhongyang Paper-cut Art Festival, which made Zhongyang paper-cut art go out of the country and to the world. At present, the county party committee and the county government have established the Zhongyang Folk Art Exhibition Hall, and are planning to establish the Zhongyang Folk Paper-cutting Museum. The County Cultural Bureau has also established a Cultural Industry Development Co., Ltd. to protect and develop Zhongyang paper-cutting. Over the years, dozens of old, middle-aged and young paper-cutting artists have emerged in Zhongyang County. One of them has become a national successor and a director of the Chinese Folk Paper-cut Research Association, two have become consultants of the Shanxi Folk Paper-cut Artists Association, and eight have become members of the Shanxi Folk Paper-cut Artists Association.
The paper-cut works of these artists have won many awards in national and provincial competitions, and thousands of works have been sent to more than a dozen countries including Japan, the United States, South Korea, and Germany to participate in foreign cultural exchanges, and have been unanimously praised by foreign friends. Good reviews. Wu Yisheng, the former director of the Cultural Center and one of the top ten paper-cutting artists in Zhongyang, relied on his passion for Zhongyang folk paper-cutting to not only edit the first "Zhongyang Folk Paper-cutting" that comprehensively reflects Zhongyang folk paper-cutting works. He also established a university for the elderly, specifically inviting famous local paper-cutting artists to teach young people who are interested in Zhongyang folk paper-cutting, and has made great contributions to the inheritance and development of Zhongyang folk paper-cutting. Especially in recent years, Zhongyang folk paper-cutting has played an active role in cultural exchanges between China and foreign countries, and artists have enjoyed an increasing reputation at home and abroad.
