Recently, a unique intangible cultural heritage (ICH) skills experience event was held at the School of Design. Xu Huibin, provincial-level representative inheritor of the engraved paper-cutting art, was invited to the industry-education integrated classroom of the "Traditional Chinese Decorative Art" course. The master artisan delivered an immersive ICH experience for both faculty and students, bridging traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design education.
Mr. Xu traced the historical evolution of Hubei's paper-cut art along a chronological framework, systematically yet accessibly outlining its development from inception to peak. He detailed how this craft evolved over centuries in the Jingchu region, acquiring its distinctive artistic character through cultural sedimentation. During the technical demonstration, he emphasized that "fluid knife techniques and disciplined precision" define Hubei's paper-cut artistry, opening a window into traditional craftsmanship for students. This exploration complemented the aesthetics and hands-on practices covered in the "Traditional Chinese Decorative Art" curriculum, deepening students' understanding of this heritage craft.
To provide an immersive experience, Mr. Xu meticulously prepared a collection of exquisite artifacts. The gold foil-carved "Hundred Phoenixes" particularly astonished viewers with its masterful craftsmanship. Equally captivating were displays of hat ornaments and shoe decorations: the hat ornaments featured auspicious motifs like "Dragon and Phoenix Bringing Prosperity" and "Qilin Delivering a Son", each design vividly rendered with extraordinary skill. The shoe decorations radiated a vibrant folk aesthetic, where floral patterns and butterfly motifs danced with vitality. Despite their miniature scale, delicate details like petal veins and butterfly wing textures remained distinctly visible, perfectly exemplifying the unique charm of Hubei's paper-cutting artistry in traditional costume embellishment. Students clustered around the exhibition platform, observing these intricate works at close range while exclaiming in genuine admiration from time to time.
Mr. Xu further connected traditional paper-cut motifs with contemporary design trends, sharing innovative applications of these patterns in modern design. His insights inspired students to explore creative adaptations of cultural heritage, infusing design education with fresh inspiration rooted in traditional artistry.
A representative from the School of Design stated that this course represents a successful implementation of industry-education integration in foundational design education. By bringing industry experts into the classroom, it effectively bridges the gap between theory and practice, laying a solid foundation for cultivating high-caliber design talents equipped with professional expertise, innovative practical skills, and cultural heritage awareness. This initiative injects renewed vitality into the inheritance and development of traditional decorative arts in the modern era.
(By Zhang Tianxiao; Photographed by Huang Tianyue, Peng Linqian, Jing Yehao, Wang Menghao)