![Chinese paper cuttings](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/Chinese_paper_cuttings.jpg)
Papercutting or paper cutting is the
art
Art is a diverse range of human activity, and resulting product, that involves creative or imaginative talent expressive of technical proficiency, beauty, emotional power, or conceptual ideas.
There is no generally agreed definition of wha ...
of
paper
Paper is a thin sheet material produced by mechanically or chemically processing cellulose fibres derived from wood, rags, grasses or other vegetable sources in water, draining the water through fine mesh leaving the fibre evenly distrib ...
designs. Art has evolved all over the world to adapt to different cultural styles. One traditional distinction most styles share is that the designs are cut from a single sheet of paper as opposed to multiple adjoining sheets as in
collage.
History
![GoetheLebensgrosserScherenschnittUm1778S87](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e9/GoetheLebensgrosserScherenschnittUm1778S87.jpg)
Paper cut art appeared during the Han dynasty in 4th century AD after the Chinese official, Cai Lun invented paper in 105 AD.
The oldest surviving paper cut out is a symmetrical circle from the 6th century
Six Dynasties
Six Dynasties (; 220–589 or 222–589) is a collective term for six Han-ruled Chinese dynasties that existed from the early 3rd century AD to the late 6th century AD. The Six Dynasties period overlapped with the era of the Sixteen Kingdoms ...
period found in
Xinjiang
Xinjiang, SASM/GNC: ''Xinjang''; zh, c=, p=Xīnjiāng; formerly romanized as Sinkiang (, ), officially the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), is an autonomous region of the People's Republic of China (PRC), located in the northwest ...
China.
[Needham, Joseph. Chemistry and Chemical Technology. ]974
Year 974 ( CMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar.
Events
By place
Europe
* Battle of Danevirke: Emperor Otto II defeats the rebel forces of King Harald I, who ha ...
(1974). Cambridge University Press. Papercutting continued to be practiced during the
Song
A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetit ...
and
Tang Dynasties as a popular form of decorative art.
By the eighth or ninth century papercutting appeared in West Asia and in Turkey in the 16th century. The knowledge of
papermaking did not reach Europe until the 13th century so papercutting could only have arrived after that. In Switzerland and Germany for example it was not until the 16th century that papercut art or
scherenschnitte was established (see also
silhouette
A silhouette ( , ) is the image of a person, animal, object or scene represented as a solid shape of a single colour, usually black, with its edges matching the outline of the subject. The interior of a silhouette is featureless, and the silhou ...
).
Chinese
Jianzhi (剪紙), is a traditional style of papercutting in
China and it originated from cutting patterns for rich Chinese embroideries and later developed into a folk art in itself. Jianzhi has been practised in China since at least the 6th Century AD. Jianzhi has a number of distinct uses in Chinese culture, almost all of which are for health, prosperity or decorative purposes. Red is the most commonly used colour. Jianzhi cuttings often have a heavy emphasis on
Chinese characters
Chinese characters () are logograms developed for the writing of Chinese. In addition, they have been adapted to write other East Asian languages, and remain a key component of the Japanese writing system where they are known as ''kanji ...
symbolizing the
Chinese zodiac
The Chinese zodiac is a traditional classification scheme based on the lunar calendar that assigns an animal and its reputed attributes to each year in a repeating twelve-year cycle. Originating from China, the zodiac and its variations remain ...
animals. It is included in the
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists
UNESCO established its Lists of Intangible Cultural Heritage with the aim of ensuring better protection of important intangible cultural heritages worldwide and the awareness of their significance.Compare: This list is published by the Intergover ...
, which was created in 2009. The Chinese paper-cutting was recognized and listed because it has a history of more than 1500 years and it represents cultural values of the people throughout China. In China, there is also the movie ''
Songs of War
A song is a musical composition intended to be performed by the human voice. This is often done at distinct and fixed pitches (melodies) using patterns of sound and silence. Songs contain various forms, such as those including the repetition ...
'' which was made with a particular style of animation on the app called
Blender
A blender (sometimes called a mixer or liquidiser in British English) is a kitchen and laboratory appliance used to mix, crush, purée or emulsify food and other substances. A stationary blender consists of a blender container with a rotating me ...
.
Modern paper cutting has developed into a commercial industry. Papercutting remains popular in contemporary China, especially during special events like the
Chinese New Year or weddings.
Japanese
Japanese paper cutting is called Kirie or
Kirigami
is a variation of origami, the Japanese art of folding paper. In , the paper is cut as well as being folded, resulting in a three-dimensional design that stands away from the page. typically does not use glue.
Overview
In the United States, t ...
(literally meaning cut picture). It is said to have developed after 610 AD when Tesuki Washi paper, invented in China, was brought to Japan by Doncho, a Buddhist monk from Korea. The Japanese commercialised paper making by hand and by 800 AD their skills were unrivalled. The abundance of Japanese washi meant paper cutting and offshoots such as
Kamikiri (performance papercutting in Edo Japan) developed at a very fast pace.
The washi paper used most predominantly across the world today for paper cutting, bookbinding, tapes and multiple other uses is not Tesuki washi but actually Japanese Sekishu washi, a paper developed around 800 AD in the Sekishu region (modern-day Iwami in Japan)
and designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural asset in 2009. Paper cutting continues today in Japan in contemporary forms such as framed art, installations and
paper cut sculpture.
Indonesian
Indonesian traditional art has been influenced by traditional Chinese artisans. Batik is an Indonesian traditional art and paper cutting. Batik is framed in profile to expose the intricate detail of Batik.
Filipino
Several Philippine crafts employ paper cutting. During
Filipino Christmas, the ''
parol
A parol (, , also written as paról or parul, from Spanish ''farol'', meaning ''lantern'') is a Filipino ornamental lantern displayed during the Christmas season. Parols are traditionally constructed using bamboo and Japanese paper, and are ...
'' (a traditional star-shaped
lantern) is embellished with coloured paper cut into various forms such as floral designs on the faces,
pom-pon
A pom-pom – also spelled pom-pon, pompom or pompon – is a decorative ball or tuft of fibrous material.
The term may refer to large tufts used by cheerleaders, or a small, tighter ball attached to the top of a hat, also known as a ...
s and "tails" on the points of the star.
There is also the art of ''
pabalát'' (wrapper), where coloured paper is meticulously cut with small scissors and used to sheathe ''
pastillas de leche'' (
carabao
The carabao ( es, Carabao; tgl, Kalabaw; ceb, Kabaw; ilo, Nuang) is a domestic swamp-type water buffalo (''Bubalus bubalis'') native to the Philippines. Carabaos were introduced to Guam from the Spanish Philippines in the 17th century. They ...
milk candy) and other traditional sweets. Paper cutting is also involved in the creation of ''banderitas'' (
bunting) that feature prominently in ''
fiesta'' décor; these may be elaborate or plain-cut paper squares and triangles strung over streets.
Jewish
Papercutting has been a common Jewish art form since the Middle Ages, connected with various customs and ceremonies, and associated with holidays and family life. Paper cuts often decorated ''
ketubot
A ketubah (; he, כְּתוּבָּה) is a Jewish marriage contract. It is considered an integral part of a traditional Jewish marriage, and outlines the rights and responsibilities of the groom, in relation to the bride. In modern practice, ...
'' (marriage contracts), ''
Mizrah
''Mizrah'' ( he, ''mīzrāḥ'') is the Hebrew word for "east" and the direction that Jews in the Diaspora west of Israel face during prayer. Practically speaking, Jews would face the city of Jerusalem when praying, and those north, east, or ...
s'', and for ornaments on festive occasions. A story tells of Rabbi Shem-Tov ben Yitzhak ben Ardutiel, finding that his ink had frozen, continued to write the manuscript by cutting the letters into the paper. By about the 17th century, papercutting had become a popular form for small religious artifacts such as ''Mizrachs'' and
Shavuot decorations. In the 20th century, the art of Jewish papercutting was revived in Israel. Today it is most commonly used for ''mizrachs'' and ''ketubot''.
Mexican
Papel picado is the
Mexican art of paper cutting. Tissue paper is cut into intricate designs with scissors or small, sharp chisels; this technique is frequently used to produce decorative banners.
Slavic
The beautiful Slavic version of the art form of papercutting, popular in Belarus, Poland, and Ukraine, is called Wycinanki (
ɨt͡ɕiˈnaŋkʲi in Poland or Vytynanky (Витина́нки) in Ukraine or Vycinanki (Выцінанкі) in Belarus. Roosters, flowers, and holiday motifs are frequently the subject matter of these bright and multilayered artworks.
Swedish
Christmas is when flowers of cut and manipulated paper, fringed candy holders called crackers,
and
Ljuskrona which are covered with cut paper, are found in Swedish and Swedish-American homes.
Switzerland
There is a Swiss tradition of paper-cutting, especially in the
Pays-d'Enhaut.
Other
Silhouette
A silhouette ( , ) is the image of a person, animal, object or scene represented as a solid shape of a single colour, usually black, with its edges matching the outline of the subject. The interior of a silhouette is featureless, and the silhou ...
can refer to the art of cutting outlines or portraits out of black paper. Modern-day papercutters typically follow one or more of the "traditional" styles listed above, while others have begun to expand the art into new styles, motifs, and designs. Contemporary papercutting is also sometimes associated with the art of stenciling, itself being derived from techniques used in
graffiti
Graffiti (plural; singular ''graffiti'' or ''graffito'', the latter rarely used except in archeology) is art that is written, painted or drawn on a wall or other surface, usually without permission and within public view. Graffiti ranges from s ...
art. The use of hand-cut stencils in graffiti art has received international attention in recent years due in part to the artist
Banksy
Banksy is a pseudonymous England-based street artist, political activist and film director whose real name and identity remain unconfirmed and the subject of speculation. Active since the 1990s, his satirical street art and subversive epigram ...
.
Notable papercut artists
*
Joanna Koerten
Joanna Koerten, (married name Joanna Block) (17 November 1650 in Amsterdam – 28 December 1715 in Amsterdam) was a Dutch artist who excelled in painting, drawing, embroidery, glass etching, and wax modeling. She achieved fame as a silhouette ...
(1650–1715) Dutch silhouette artist
*
Adele Schopenhauer
Luise Adelaide Lavinia Schopenhauer, known as Adele Schopenhauer (12 July 1797 – 25 August 1849), was a German author. She was the sister of the philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer and daughter of author Johanna Schopenhauer. Henriette Sommer and ...
(1797-1849), German author, artist, and sister of the philosopher
Arthur Schopenhauer
*
Hans Christian Andersen (1805–1875), Danish story-teller, author, and papercut artist
*
Henri Matisse
Henri Émile Benoît Matisse (; 31 December 1869 – 3 November 1954) was a French visual artist, known for both his use of colour and his fluid and original draughtsmanship. He was a drawing, draughtsman, printmaking, printmaker, and sculptur ...
(1869-1954), French painter, who explored paper-cut illustration and decoupage
*
Jan Pieńkowski
Jan Michał Pieńkowski (8 August 1936 – 19 February 2022) was a Polish-born British author of children's books—as illustrator, as writer, and as designer of movable books. He is best known for illustrating the ''Meg and Mog'' picture book ...
(1936-2022) Polish illustrator, writer and designer of children’s books using silhouettes.
*
Lotte Reiniger
Charlotte "Lotte" Reiniger (2 June 1899 – 19 June 1981) was a German film director and the foremost pioneer of silhouette animation. Her best known films are ''The Adventures of Prince Achmed'', from 1926, the first feature-length animated fil ...
(1899–1981), German silhouette animation filmmaker
*
Jeanette Kuvin Oren (born 1961), American papercut artist
*
Kara Walker
Kara Elizabeth Walker (born November 26, 1969) is an American contemporary painter, silhouettist, print-maker, installation artist, filmmaker, and professor who explores race, gender, sexuality, violence, and identity in her work. She is best ...
(born 1969), contemporary African American artist
*
Lane Twitchell (born 1967), contemporary American Landscape artist
*
Nahoko Kojima (born 1981), contemporary Japanese papercut art, who creates sculptural, hanging papercuts
*
Nikki McClure
Nikki McClure is a papercut artist based in Olympia, Washington. She is the author and illustrator of a number of children's books and produces an annual calendar.
Biography
McClure grew up in Kirkland, Washington. She moved to Olympia in 198 ...
, American papercut artist
*
William Schaff William J. Schaff Jr. is an artist and musician based in Warren, Rhode Island and Oakland, California. He is known for artwork for the bands Okkervil River, Songs: Ohia, Godspeed You! Black Emperor, and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.
"An electric ...
(born 1973), American papercut artist; his work in cover of the album cover
"I am Very Far" by
Okkervil River
Okkervil River is an American rock band led by singer-songwriter Will Sheff. Formed in Austin, Texas, in 1998, the band takes its name from a short story by Russian author Tatyana Tolstaya set on the river Okkervil in Saint Petersburg. They beg ...
.
*
Rob Ryan
Robert Allen Ryan (born December 13, 1962) is an American football coach who is currently the senior defensive assistant for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). Ryan has served as a defensive coordinator or assistant co ...
, British papercut and serigraph artist
*
Barbara Earl Thomas (b. 1948), American visual artist, writer, and arts administrator based in Seattle.
*
Tusif Ahmad, Australian Islamic papercut artist
*
Beatriz Vasquez, Mexican-American traditional and neo-Papel Picado artist (born 1969)
See also
*
Chad (paper)
Chad refers to fragments sometimes created when holes are made in a paper, card or similar synthetic materials, such as computer punched tape or punched cards. The word "chad" has been used both as a mass noun (as in "a pile of chad") and ...
, left over fragments from cutting.
*
Chinese paper folding
Chinese paper folding, or ''zhezhi'' (), is the art of paper folding that originated in medieval China.
The work of 20th-century Japanese paper artist Akira Yoshizawa widely popularized the Japanese word '' origami''; however, in China and other ...
*
Chinese paper cutting
*
Leaf carving
Leaf carving is an artwork involving the delicate trimming of leaves to develop a picture or landscape. The process of carving is performed by artists using tools to carefully cut the surface without cutting or removing the veins. The veins add de ...
*
Scherenschnitte
*
Silhouette
A silhouette ( , ) is the image of a person, animal, object or scene represented as a solid shape of a single colour, usually black, with its edges matching the outline of the subject. The interior of a silhouette is featureless, and the silhou ...
*
Stencil
*
Vytynanky (Wycinanki)
*
Origami
) is the Japanese art of paper folding. In modern usage, the word "origami" is often used as an inclusive term for all folding practices, regardless of their culture of origin. The goal is to transform a flat square sheet of paper into a f ...
*
Kirigami
is a variation of origami, the Japanese art of folding paper. In , the paper is cut as well as being folded, resulting in a three-dimensional design that stands away from the page. typically does not use glue.
Overview
In the United States, t ...
Notes
{{Authority control
Folk art
Paper art