The invention of papermaking, which has a profound significance to promote the development of world civilization, is one of the four great ancient inventions that the Chinese people take pride in, and also an indispensable part of China’s excellent traditional culture. Against the backdrops of the national efforts to promote self-reliance in science and technology, and the protection and inheritance of intangible cultural heritage, the exhibition themed “Skills and Artistry of Chinese Handcrafted Papermaking” kicked off at the China Science and Technology Museum (short-term exhibition hall) on January 1, 2021.

Covering an area of 1,800 square meters, the exhibition includes five sections, “Source of Skills”, “Heart of Craftsmen”, “Foundation of Art”, “Use of Paper” and “Paperfolding”. In various forms such as physical display, multimedia interaction, simulation experiments, artistic works and experience activities, the exhibition showcases the technical knowledge, technological implications, inheritors and innovative achievements in China’s handcrafted papermaking skills, aiming to promote the audience’s cognition and understanding of handcrafted paper, stimulate their thinking on the contemporary value of handcrafted paper and enhance their pride in Chinese culture through the knowledge output of handcrafted paper culture and skills, the spread of inheritance stories and craftsmanship, and the artistic creation and aesthetic experience. The exhibition is jointly sponsored by the China Science and Technology Museum, Tsinghua University Academy of Arts & Design, and the School of Education and Technology of Beijing Normal University, and co-organized by the Institute of Hand-Made Papermaking and Paper Arts of Tsinghua University Academy of Arts & Design and the Institute of Intangible Cultural Heritage Arts & Design of the Chinese Folk Literature and Art Association.

The first four exhibition sections are based on the research project “Exhibition Planning and Design of ‘Skills and Artistry of Chinese Handcrafted Papermaking’” commissioned by the China Science and Technology Museum to Yuan Bo, Associate Professor of Tsinghua University Academy of Arts & Design and Director of the Institute of Hand-Made Papermaking and Paper Arts. It took 2 years for the project to complete, from topic selection planning, content construction, exhibition outline formulation to exhibition model design. The exhibition section “Paperfolding” was completed by the research and development team of the School of Education technology of Beijing Normal University.

“Source of Skills”

The exhibition section “Source of Skills” displays the origin and transmission paths of papermaking, the scientific knowledge behind handcrafted papermaking, anecdotes of celebrities and famous paper, resources of handcrafted papermaking in all parts of China, technical processes of rice paper, bamboo paper and leather paper as well as rich papermaking materials, tools and technological characteristics through five parts: Paper and History, Paper and Science, Paper and Culture, Paper and Craft, and Paper and Environment. In front of “Paper and Environment”, special notes and pens are prepared for visitors. After touching different kinds of paper and experiencing the fun of hand-made paper, you may write down your imagination and thoughts about the future development of paper on the notes.

A multimedia interactive chronology of events in the origin and development of papermaking

The Paper and Craft part presents the tools and materials for hand-made paper

“Paper and Culture”

The “Paper and Culture” part re-enacts the scene of an ancient scholar’s study. Good paper cannot be made without good raw materials and consummate skills. It is not only a gift from nature, but also a product of the creativity of generations of paper makers. The inheritance of China’s handcrafted paper-making skills is the inheritance of the ideals and beliefs of generations of paper makers.

“Heart of Craftsmen”

The exhibition section of “Heart of Craftsmen” has selected 17 typical papermaking artisans from all over the country, including major craftsmen of the nation and several national and provincial intangible cultural heritage inheritors. The types of paper exhibited include rice paper, bamboo paper, leather paper, processed paper and other kinds of paper. In the exhibition section a vivid and real production site has been built for the audience with a large number of photos and physical objects. By way of an interview video, the images of contemporary paper makers are presented, who are dedicated to the materials, techniques and quality. Through their narration, you can not only hear touching and pristine stories, but also feel their unique personalities and tough craftsman spirit.

The exhibition section of “Heart of Craftsmen” presents the stories of paper artisans inheriting the ancient artistry of papermaking

“Foundation of Arts”

Both papermakers and artists are creators of paper art works. Art is essentially creation. In addition to serving as a medium for the presentation of paintings, paper is also cut, rubbed, woven, pressed, piled, molded, pasted and carved in the hands of artists. Paper presents a rich form and texture during artists’ creation process, and is given a new power with a unique artistic expression. The “Foundation of Arts” exhibition section displays 23 sets of works by 16 artists. The artists express their thoughts on the themes of nature, life, society, culture, art and emotion in various forms with materials such as pulp, paper fiber, finished paper and recycled paper. Their rich imagination and creativity have greatly expanded people’s cognition on papermaking artistry and materials, not only presenting the enlightenment of ancient Chinese technological civilization on contemporary artistic creation, but also revealing the cultural significance and artistic value of paper in the contemporary context.

The “Foundation of Arts” exhibition section

“Use of Paper”

The inheritance and development of handcrafted paper cannot be separated from the needs in daily life. The use of paper in paper fans, paper umbrellas, paper bindings, paper cuttings, paper lamps, kites, wood engraving New Year pictures and other traditional crafts reflects the close relationship between paper and life. In today’s world, these traditional crafts also change with the changes of people’s life needs, quietly incorporating new themes and forms. When you relive your childhood memories in these beautiful and colorful traditional crafts in the exhibition section of “Use of Paper”, would you have the following questions: How can we make handcrafted paper play a greater role in contemporary life? How can we create the contemporary value of handcrafted paper? How to offer innovative solutions for productive conservation? How can traditional skills be extended in today’s life? What can we do for inheritance and development of such traditional skills?

Application of paper in traditional technical processes

“Paperfolding”

Through the combination of paperfolding with mathematics, engineering, technology and other disciplines, the exhibition section of “Paperfolding” showcases the research and application space of modern paperfolding. Paperfolding sculptures such as the Miura fold, the torpedo structure, and the honeycomb structure are exhibited. Through the art of paperfolding mathematics, the audience can think about the mathematical knowledge, scientific principles, engineering applications, and artistic beauty behind paperfolding art, and feel the meeting between scientific spirit and humanistic art.

“Paperfolding” exhibition section

Today, the recognition of the unique value of traditional crafts in history, culture, art, education, emotion and other aspects, and the extension and creation of their new values in diverse ways are the contemporary missions for the regeneration and transformation of traditional crafts. The theme exhibition of “Skills and Artistry of Chinese Handcrafted Papermaking” closely connects the ancient technological civilization with the inheritance of contemporary papermaking skills. The exhibition not only brings a feast of knowledge and spirit to the audience at the level of science and technology, art and culture, but also presents the creative transformation paths of traditional crafts in the contemporary era. Through research, creation and exhibition, it promotes the protection, inheritance and promotion of traditional skills, the spirit of artisans and traditional culture. The theme exhibition “Skills and Artistry of Chinese Handcrafted Papermaking” will be held in the short-term exhibition hall on the first floor of the China Science and Technology Museum from January to February 2021. 

The exhibition will be open to the public free of charge. Following the first exhibition, itinerant exhibitions at home and abroad will be launched.