"Carve" the footprint of time, [why China] extol China in context, China-Chic youth school | "carve" out cultural heritage craft | craftsman | time
A small wooden knife peels off pieces of sawdust, and fine patterns gradually emerge from the rustling sound of polishing, placing people in the palace of the beauty of craftsmanship. Sculpture works condense the traditional culture of the Chinese nation and accumulate its historical heritage. Every blade and every moment of the sculptors are embedded with the best wishes and the deepest national culture, giving us infinite imagination about history.
Sculpture art originated from the production and life of the working people, where a plain and ordinary piece of wood transformed into a colorful world through the skillful hands of craftsmen. In woodcarving, we see the sturdy and ingenious design of ancient buildings, feel the majestic and lifelike spirit of divine beasts, and marvel at the exquisite craftsmanship and ingenuity in every detail. A thousand knives and ten thousand chisels are used to carve a piece, and one piece does not flow smoothly to the east. The carving technique emphasizes propriety and strength, and patience. The more vivid the shape, the more calm the creation is needed to achieve the state of "being at will without exceeding the standard".
Following the old map, we cannot find a new continent. In order to break through the current situation and expand the scope of intangible cultural heritage inheritance, we must not forget the fundamental principles, but also adapt to new changes and attract the attention of more young people. The inheritance and development of wood carving provide a new approach for the revitalization of intangible cultural heritage - integrating into life is the key to maintaining vitality forever. Nowadays, woodcarving is not just an art form that stands on the ground, but can also be a more everyday jewelry decoration. The Guangdong Provincial Museum has developed a series of Chaozhou woodcarving cultural and creative works, and the "One Deer Prosperity" woodcarving ornaments with beautiful meanings have brought intangible cultural heritage into modern people's lives. Yangzhou Woodcarving has recently launched a series of wooden carving cultural and creative products, including a scaled down version of Jinsi Nanmu Wenchang Pavilion, the Four Treasures of the Study, and Nanmu Pillows, making intangible cultural heritage an art that everyone can touch, and allowing more young people to learn about intangible cultural heritage in their daily lives, becoming beneficiaries of China's excellent traditional culture.
The inheritance and development of wood carving also require the perseverance of each craftsman. We cannot let craftsmen become lonely "gatekeepers", and craftsmen sitting on cold benches also need the hot gaze of the times. Nowadays, master apprentice inheritance is still a relatively mainstream way of inheriting intangible cultural heritage. Due to the professionalism of technology, young apprentices must receive hands-on teaching and guidance from masters during their adolescence, coupled with their own diligent practice behind them, in order to ultimately learn unique skills, understand the true essence, and achieve craftsmanship. Nowadays, many primary and secondary schools have introduced wood carving to their campuses. Under the guidance of wood carving masters, children can experience the artistic charm of intangible cultural heritage firsthand, further enriching their extracurricular life and enhancing their sense of cultural belonging and identity. In addition, the joint efforts of society can become a driving force for the transformation and takeoff of intangible cultural heritage. In 2018, the Wood Carving Professional Committee of the China Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Association was established, creating a professional communication and sharing platform for wood carving craftsmen across the country. Woodcarving craftsmen transmit information, inherit art, and spread culture here, allowing wood carving to shine and flourish in the new era.
In each exquisite woodcarving, we see the imprint of time, as well as the inheritance and perseverance of generations of craftsmen. From traditional craftsmanship to cultural IP, wood carving is embracing the era with a brand new look and striving to the next shining moment!
!["Carve" the footprint of time, [why China] extol China in context, China-Chic youth school | "carve" out cultural heritage craft | craftsman | time](https://a5qu.com/upload/images/f74e3c99a0776e903b03ded694f19b20.jpg)
Manga: Lu Yao
Text: Xu Kexin, Lu Qing
