Master class on the traditional Chinese art of paper cutting «Jianzhu»

February 12 – A master class on the traditional Chinese art of paper cutting "Jianzhu" was held at the Karasaev cinema at Bishkek Humanities University.

According to Chinese art sources, "Jianzhu" appeared almost 2000 years ago. Scraps of paper Jianzhu refer to the period of the Han Dynasty (202-16 A.E.) were found during excavations in central and western China. Paper ornaments hung on the windows on the eve of Chinese New Year, which is celebrated in February and given as birthday gifts, weddings and other celebrations. It is believed that the paper pattern protects the house.

The patterns are cut with scissors or a knife. In China, girls and women participate in cutting. In the past, every girl had to master the art of "Jianzhu."

Patterns carved on a special very thin paper, often red. The theme of the most diverse patterns were animal figurines, flowers and plants, Chinese characters and ornaments. There is a very complex composition, similar to the picture, just cut from paper.

The paper "Jianzhu" is so thin that it would break even by a careless touch.

At present, the art of paper cutting is very popular in China. Artistic carving and working with scissors develops fine motor skills of children, their imagination, memory, accuracy, spatial awareness and artistic taste.

The workshop was attended by more than 150 people from Bishkek and Chui: Secondary school and preschool teachers, and teachers from children's art centers from all parts of Bishkek. Under the guidance of the master of the Confucius Institute, participants started by cutting the simplest shapes. With two hours of practice, they were able to create four types of patterns of varying complexity.