Chinese Art Photo | TrekEarth

Photographer’s Note

Paper cutting, or Malaysian call it Silhouette Art. This is a shop found in Melaka Old Town making and selling the handiworks as sticking on the wall.

As request by Ricardo(riclopes), I post WS to show the detail of this artwork.

WS 01 : Detail

WS 02 : Detail

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Chinese Paper Cutting or Jianzhi (Chinese: 剪纸, jiǎn zhǐ) is the first type of papercutting design, since paper was invented by Cai Lun in the Eastern Han Dynasty in China.

Chinese paper cutting is a unique artform and has existed for thousands of years with a long history featuring both national and regional themes. Paper began as a precious commodity in the Han Dynasty. Most of the people with access to paper for an entertainment cause such as art were usually nobles in royal palaces[1]. The Song Dynasty scholar Chou Mi mentioned several paper cutters who cut paper with scissors into a great variety of designs and characters in different styles, and a young man who could even cut characters and flowers inside his sleeve[2]. The oldest surviving paper cut out is a symmetrical circle from the 6th century found in Xinjiang, China[2].

From the 7th to 13th century, paper cutting became popular especially during Chinese holiday festivals. The art spread to the rest of the world in the 14th century. Throughout the Qing Dynasty many papercutting skills were developed including drafting and the use of smoked papers. By the end of the Qing ruling however, new art forms were being introduced. The Republic of China of Taiwan later tried to revive the art in the 1980s[1].

In the rural countryside in mainland China, papercutting is a traditionally female activity. In the past, every girl was expected to master it and brides were often judged by their skill. Professional papercutting artists are, on the other hand, usually male and have guaranteed incomes and work together in workshops.

Source / More Information : Wikipedia

Graal, riclopes, gracious, jlbrthnn, pierrefonds, Kielia, jafadabret, emjleclercq, adores, stego, belido, robob, danos, feather, ls7902, avene, Docarmo, Urs has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

pally3100 (3073) 2009-01-11 22:35

Hi Ally
it s always a big pleasure to received a picture of your countries
A can translate a little bit English but not the advertising in local words i am already bot very good in English....fifty years from school
and very near sixthy for the old man...Friendly and again happy birthday .Henri

Graal (58103) 2009-01-12 0:02

Hi Ally,
amazing images on the wall. Good captured theme. Interesting note. Well photojob.
Gr., Aleksander

riclopes (33007) 2009-01-12 0:49

Very nice, Ally. Something I wouldn't mind to do for a living...This is very well framed and with good context, but I would like to see a closer detail...on the figure with the cat at right, for example ;-) Excellent note as usual.
ricardo

gracious (20017) 2009-01-12 1:20

Hello Ally,
Thank you for this wonderful sharing of the old tradition art well preserved and practised in Melaka! you do not find many around nowaday!
good pov with nice colour and good details from the front of the shop!
warmest regards
Tony

jlbrthnn (38133) 2009-01-12 2:53

Hello Ally,
Chinese penmanship always astonished me by its meticulousness and its precision. these enigmatic drawings for me, are of any beauty. I like the simplicity of your photographic capture. Very beautiful work and interesting ws.
Have a nice day.
Cordially
Joël

pierrefonds (26367) 2009-01-12 3:57

Hi Ally,

The point of view is showing the details and colors of the facade of the shop. The picture is clear and sharp. The subject is well frame. The colors are enhanced by the quality of the light. Have a nice day.

Pierre

jmdias (19393) 2009-01-12 6:15

ally

beautiful façade. I liked the drawings and the way you framed the compo., perfect the light too. well done

hugs

jorge

Kielia (8547) 2009-01-12 6:49

Hi Ally,
excellent composition accompanied by a very informative note. The photos in WS are also highly appreciated. I agree to Henri, it is always a pleasure to receive an image from your country!
Warm regards
Harriet

jafadabret (39757) 2009-01-12 11:39

Bonjour Ally.
Les dessins de cette boutique sont d'une très grande finesse et également d'un grande beauté.
C'est une bonne photo reportage sur le commerce de cet art.
Jacques

emjleclercq (14330) 2009-01-12 13:37

I had seen Chinese paper cuts before, but only in small format, and never imagined they could be so big. A very interesting view and a good note.

All the best,

Emmanuel

adores (15581) 2009-01-12 15:01

Hi Ally!
I've seen this work in China - it's perfect. Its red colour matches with the lamps and the door. A very good detail, almost reminds me of the New Year!

stego (22360) 2009-01-12 16:30

Hi Ally,
It's a very good to illustrate your interesting note about that unique traditional art. The tight framing takes good profit of the graphics of the façade.
Regards, José.

belido (16603) 2009-01-13 2:43

Hi Ally,

it's a very good frontal catch of the chinese façade with the paintings on the wall. The simplicity is what makes this so lovely. Very well done!
Regards,
Carlos

rodgerg (24243) 2009-01-13 4:14

Hello Ally,

A very good framing and a POV well selected. Your image is riche in details and various colours very well selected. An interesting and good photowork.
Best regards,
Roger

robob (3640) 2009-01-13 7:08

Hello Ally,
Je pense que cette façade serait bien triste sans ces très jolis dessins,
Elle doit être d’autant plus belle le soir avec les lumières,
Sujet très intéressant !
Au plaisir Ally,
Robert

John_F_Kennedy (31511) 2009-01-13 7:54

Ncie painting on the wall. Very attractive shot and very good point of view. I like the details on your picture.
Best wishes,
Achim

danos (32618) 2009-01-13 8:03

Hello Ally,
nice this Chinese artwork that in combination with the WS create a spherical knowledge about this theme.I like the texture of these stamps and the very fine work that make this
Silhouette Art a real art.Well done.

Regards,Danos

feather (49864) 2009-01-13 9:12

I'm glad Ricardo asked for the detail because I enjoyed looking at the WSs. Very good tight composition on the shop. Red and white work well together.
Kath

jemaflor (39457) 2009-01-13 10:05

Hi Ally,
Interesting decorations, well taken with a good sharpness to see well this beautiful wall. Well done.

ls7902 (6218) 2009-01-13 18:34

Hi Ally,
The artwork on the wall really give this photo a lot of interest. Good symmetry and balance. Natural colors. I think the lanterns would be replaced by new ones soon for the CNY. They have suffered much from the elements but better for photography. Happy CNY. Regards. Latiff.

gildasjan (23843) 2009-01-14 1:15

Bonjour Ally
Très bonne prise de vue de cette façade avec un bon respect de la géométrie et un bon cadrage.
Bonne journée
Amicalement
Gildas

avene (11044) 2009-01-14 14:17

hello Ally,
thanks for posting this, I wasn't really aware about the long tradition of this craft, although "paper" and "China" always are linked in my imagination.
I like a lot how you have composed the photo. at first glance it seems a simple street scene, but the red door nicely mirrors the red lamps and red designs. I learned something new today, thanks :)

regards,
Kristine

foozi (4727) 2009-01-14 16:57

Hi Ally,
Melaka has a lot to offer. Its beautiful buildings especially. Im looking forward to see the exqusite mosque that combines the Chinese and Moorish architecture. Really a beautiful combination that allows beautiful and deeper understanding of life.

Eccellent shot of this shop. The position of the bigf pot is enhaqncing.

Regards,
Foozi

Waylim (10873) 2009-01-16 12:05

Ally,
I have done many of this paper cutting in my class when I was young, I was pretty good with it, I always have very high score on it. Beautiful capture of this display on the walls. Good details and definitely very Chinese Theme and ready for New Year celebration. thanks
Way

Docarmo (8840) 2009-01-19 21:01

Hi Ally,
Very interesting image, showing these beautiful Chinese artwork. I like the WS too, very well presented.
Thanks for sharing,
MCV

beatrox (230) 2009-03-08 4:00

Very simple shot but good efficiency ... the beauty of the house,
the quiet atmosphere ... well done

Urs (2922) 2009-07-14 8:22

Dear Ally

As usual your nice pictures comes with a very informative note. Well done. I should have known, that such buildings can be found in Malacca, but I have not plan to travel there in the near future. So at least I can see your picture with has all the key ingredients of sharpness, contrasts and DOF. Well done

Best regards
Urs

Juzo (418) 2009-10-23 8:06

Hi Ally,
I love these street scenes, nicely captured and Malaysia looks so intersting. TFS.
Regards
Justin