Recently, the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism identified the first batch of 32 young talents for the inheritance of Shanghai's intangible cultural heritage, among which Chen Bixian and Zhang Chao recommended by Jiading District were successfully selected.
With a needle as a pen, draw the love of your life
Chen Bixian, whose name is embroidery Niang A Zi, is the representative inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage (Suzhou embroidery) in Jiading District. She said: "The purple characters are taken apart up and down, and they are 'this' and 'system'. There is silk tied here, and this is my profession - Suzhou embroidery. ”
Ah Zi was born in a family of Suzhou embroidery, and has formed an indissoluble bond with embroidery since childhood. At the age of 7, under the guidance of her grandfather, she embarked on the road of embroidery. Despite the tears, sweat and pain of pins and needles, her ingenuity never wavered. In order to study the silk embroidery process in depth, Ah Zi did not hesitate to go to other places to study. In the face of the bumps of the five-hour drive, the 2-square-meter cabin, the simple wooden bed and the damp shuttle on Huangmeitian, she still enjoys it, because "it is the lifelong dream of our craftsmen to learn something." Suzhou embroidery is not only my profession, but also the love of my life."
In order to make Suzhou embroidery closer to life, Ah Zi and her colleagues jointly designed and produced a series of Suzhou embroidery cultural and creative products, such as handmade Suzhou embroidery masks, silk scarves, bags, conference books, pen holders, storage boxes and home furnishings, etc., which are deeply loved by the public.
Work "Guarding the Fireworks in the World, Looking at the Universe"
At the same time, Ah Zi also boldly tried to integrate AI technology into the creation of Suzhou embroidery, and a work called "Guarding the Fireworks in the World, Looking at the Universe" is the result of the combination of Suzhou embroidery and AI technology. She conveyed her ideas to the AI software, and after many adjustments and improvements, she finally completed the design draft. In the works, the galloping Hongma, the Long March 5 rocket produced by Jiading, and the car made in Jiading express the Jiading people's yearning for a better life. The work made its debut at last year's CIIE, and although it was still in the embroidery stage at that time, it still won praise from many foreign friends.
In the Party and Mass Service Center of Zhongfang Community in Malu Town, you can always see Ah Zi interacting with children and teaching Suzhou embroidery skills; She will also set up public welfare classes to popularize the knowledge of Suzhou embroidery for more people; On the social network video platform, Ah Zi also actively spreads Suzhou embroidery culture, uploads Suzhou embroidery tutorials, records the life of embroiderers, and carries out live broadcast activities from time to time...... Intangible cultural heritage works transcend the boundaries of time and space to showcase their unique charm to a wider audience. Ah Zi said: "I hope that through my efforts, more people will understand and fall in love with Suzhou embroidery." ”
Inlaid with treasure in jade, carved gold silk dream
Zhang Chao is the representative inheritor of the intangible cultural heritage of Jiading District (gold filigree inlay craft) and a senior arts and crafts artist. Zhang Chao learned painting and carving since he was a child, and is the seventh generation inheritor of the art of pressing gold wire inlay. After returning from studying abroad, Zhang Chao skillfully integrated traditional craftsmanship and modern design, and won a number of international awards.
Pressed gold wire inlay treasure process, as the name suggests, is to jade as the carrier, with gold wire inlay or edging inlay method to fix it on the surface, the main body of the pattern is generally a sagebrush or clematis, chrysanthemum and other plants, the ornamental view of the protrusion, caress without traces, each piece is exquisite, fully embodies the infinite beauty of jade, gold and silver, gemstone combination. This technique is extremely technically demanding, requiring smooth lines, uniform thickness and precise grooves to successfully embed gold wires, especially on thin-tired jade, which requires a high level of skill in both jade carving and gold and silver inlay.
Work "Gold Filament Inlaid Treasure Ping An Bottle"
Zhang Chao introduced that many traditional handicraft intangible cultural heritage is passed on by elders or masters by word of mouth, which is limited in scope, low in efficiency, and not popular. To this end, she tried to broaden the communication channels of intangible cultural heritage by setting up gold filigree inlay experience classes and designing intangible cultural heritage peripherals, so that citizens can get close to and experience the beauty of intangible cultural heritage at the "doorstep".
In order to further attract young people's attention to the process of pressing gold wire inlays, Zhang Chao and his student team used AI technology to create a cute AI doll "Xiaoxiang". Just turn on the Bluetooth of your mobile phone and get close to "Xiaoxiang", you can listen to the historical origin and production process of the gold wire inlay process.
AI doll "Xiaoxiang"
Zhang Chao has a deep affection for Jiading, especially for Malu grapes. Inspired by this, she created a series of works such as "Midsummer Butterfly Dance" and "Many Sons and Many Blessings". Among them, "Midsummer Butterfly Dance" commemorates the birth of Malu grapes in 1981 with 81 grapes, and at the same time conveys good wishes for the prosperity of Jiading, and the work won the silver medal of the 19th "Tiangong Award" in 2020.
In addition, Zhang Chao is also keen to participate in parent-child activities in the community and schools, and let more people know about the process of pressing gold wire inlay treasure through interactive displays. "I hope that through these works, the stories behind them will be told, so that more people can feel the unique charm of China's excellent traditional culture." Zhang Chao said.
Written by: Yang Yujie Editor: Yang Yujie