Introduction to paper-cutting in Yuxian County, Hebei Province
Hebei Yuxian paper-cutting is the only folk paper-cutting in my country that uses mixed yin and yang carving and heavy color dot dyeing as its production technology. The emergence of this special form of paper-cutting is closely related to the local dwellings and folk culture of Yu County.
Hebei Yu County paper-cut
Due to the special geographical environment of Yu County, ancient castle buildings are the way of living for the local people. People in Yu County love life and advocate beauty. They make window grilles and paste them on their windows for decoration to express their good life in the coming year. It can be seen that windows are an important carrier of window grilles. However, with the development of society, modern buildings have replaced ancient castle buildings, and traditional wooden square windows have become glass windows. The carrier of Yuxian window grilles has changed, leaving it faced with the dilemma of finding a new carrier. To this end, the diligent and intelligent Yuxian paper-cutting technicians design, produce and sell modern handicraft paper-cutting for the tourist market and modern handicraft market according to market needs and catering to the publics aesthetic tendencies. From Yuxian window grilles to Yuxian modern handicraft paper-cutting, this is actually the corresponding change made by Yuxian paper-cutting to adapt to the requirements of the times.
"Chinese Treasures - Yuxian Window Flowers" compiled by Tian Yongxiang and others
Yuxian paper-cutting has been included in the national intangible cultural heritage protection project, although relevant departments have carried out planned research and protection work on Yuxian paper-cutting. Theoretical research on paper-cutting in Yuxian County was first initiated by Gusai, Zhongpo and other senior members of the Chahar Provincial Federation of Literary and Art Circles in the early days of liberation, who visited Wang Laoshang and published four books on Yuxian window cuts: "Collection of Folk Paper-cutting", "Folk Window Decorations", "Wang Laoshangs Window Decoration Art", "Wang Laoshang Opera Paper Engraving", the book introduces Wang Laoshang, the paper-cutting master of Yu County, and speaks highly of his works and artistic achievements.Books about Yuxian paper-cutting published in the past two years include "Chinese Treasures - Yuxian Window Flowers" edited by Tian Yongxiang and others. They are different from the former. The latter mainly introduces the extremely unique craftsmanship and production techniques of Yuxian paper-cutting. Aesthetic art and cultural connotation. However, the above are actually static protection methods that record historical materials. This is by no means a long-term strategy for effectively protecting Yuxian paper-cuts. We should fully understand it, inherit its essence, integrate it into the contemporary concept of modern art, examine it from a modern public perspective, and penetrate it into the lives of modern people. This is the best way to protect it. . Only in this way can Yuxian paper-cutting retain its charm forever.
