Characteristics of Yimeng folk paper-cutting
Although paper-cutting can be seen all over the country, different local styles and schools have even been formed. However, Yimeng paper-cutting art is deeply loved by people because of its obvious unique characteristics compared with the representative paper-cutting art in other regions. Yimeng paper-cut art not only expresses the aesthetic preferences of the Yimeng people, but also contains the unprecedented social, customs, and cultural psychology of the people in the Yimeng area, making it one of the most distinctive folk arts in China. In summary, the characteristics of the paper-cutting art in Yimeng area can be summarized in the following sentences: simple and easy tools, diverse themes and forms, exquisite and unique compositions, and all handmade.
The tools are simple and easy to use. The tools used for paper-cutting are mainly scissors, carving knives and chisels, wax plates, grinding stones, etc. Scissors are the main tool for paper cutting. It is very suitable to choose those on the market that are light and tapered, have moderate elasticity, sharp edges and sharp edges. Ordinary scissors used for cutting clothing materials are turned into a work of art in the hands of rural women and girls in Yimeng area in a matter of seconds. The carving knife is the main tool for engraving paper. Wax plate or plywood, various colorful paper cutouts. Single-color paper-cutting generally uses ordinary red paper sold in the domestic market, or dyed rice paper. The effect is generous and festive. The finished product has a strong traditional flavor and can be carved into multiple pieces at a time. Colored paper-cutting generally uses single Xuan or pink paper. In addition, the mounted silk is also a good paper-cutting material. It will be easier to engrave after being mounted with a single frame. It is very convenient to use two whetstones of different thicknesses to sharpen the knife while carving, so as to always keep the blade sharp.
There are various themes and forms, and paper-cutting is basically divided into "traditional folk paper-cutting" and "modern creative paper-cutting". Paper-cut patterns can be roughly divided into: characters, birds and animals, text, utensils, scales, flowers and trees, fruits and vegetables, insects, landscapes and world treasures, modern utensils, paper-cut patterns, etc. The themes of paper-cutting not only widely reflect the things that people like to see and hear in real life, but also express the creators longing and yearning for a better life and some thematic works. From the themes of paper-cutting art, we can see the simple and innocent customs and customs of the working people in Yimeng area.
