Paper-cutting at Xin’an Primary School—The inheritance of Xin’an paper-cutting in Huangdao
Xin'an Primary School was established in 1994. Under the leadership of the school leaders, Xin'an Primary School inherited and developed the art of Xin'an paper-cutting. Taking Xin'an paper-cutting as an art class course plays an important role in inheriting Xin'an paper-cutting. As early as 2002, the teachers of Xin'an Primary School spontaneously compiled the school-based teaching material "Fun Paper-cutting". The teaching material is divided into three categories: low, medium and high. From easy to difficult, each volume includes animals, plants, people and local paper-cut window grilles, which shows that the teacher has good intentions in order to inherit folk art.
In the corridors of Xin'an Primary School, you can see information about paper-cutting, its history, classification, and aesthetic characteristics, etc. The school focuses on the characteristics of Xin'an paper-cutting art in its curriculum. In order to "inherit traditional culture and promote paper-cutting art", it mainly uses copying methods to inherit Xin'ans traditional paper-cutting art. On this basis, students are encouraged to use their own brains and create with their own hands. New paper-cutting themes, such as those focusing on after-school life, include: paper-cutting for sports activities such as skipping, playing chess, and running, as well as paper-cutting for ideological education about promoting good morals such as environmental protection and adventure. The students drew from a wide range of materials and had exquisite ideas. Their paper-cut works were lively and vivid, reflecting the colorful world in the eyes of children.
The contents of traditional Chinese paper-cutting are mainly used during the Spring Festival, weddings, funerals, and major festivals. They include themes such as praying for blessings, auspiciousness, and peace. The pattern requirements are also very strict, focusing on symmetry, fullness, beauty and generosity. The paper-cutting of Xin'an Primary School is mainly based on a wide range of content, and the patterns are not as rigorous as traditional patterns. They are mostly random things and people around them, and the world in the eyes of children.
In order to let more people understand the paper-cutting of Xin'an Primary School, the school leaders established an exhibition room to display the outstanding works of students. The excellent works are displayed in the exhibition room so that more people can understand the paper-cutting of Xin'an Primary School and promote paper-cutting. The innovation and development of art have given Xin'an paper-cutting a better space for inheritance and development.
