TIANJIN, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- In a studio adorned with antique charm in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Zhang Yu delicately rotated the clay sculpture with his left hand while skillfully carving intricate details with a tool in his right.
Gradually, a "Lucky Star" clay figure took shape in Zhang's hands, its face beaming with kindness and joy, while its flowing robes added a sense of movement.
"The Lucky Star held a big gold ingot in his right hand and a ruyi, a symbol of good luck, in his left hand, which means joy and auspiciousness in Chinese culture. It perfectly fitted the festive and peaceful atmosphere of the Spring Festival," said Zhang, the sixth-generation inheritor of Clay Figure Zhang, a renowned form of intangible cultural heritage in China.
To celebrate the Spring Festival in the Year of the Snake, 59 "Lucky Star" clay figures were released on the fourth day of the Chinese New Year. Many customers had already placed reservations, eager to own a piece of art imbued with good wishes.
Clay Figure Zhang is a household name in traditional folk art in China, and such artwork has a history of nearly 200 years. It was listed in 2006 in the first batch of China's national intangible cultural heritage.
The craft's essence lies in its traditional techniques. "The clay used for the Lucky Star sculptures is stored in a cellar for three years before being sculpted. Completing a single piece takes over three months and involves multiple intricate steps, such as shaping, air-drying, firing, polishing and painting," Zhang explained.
"No matter how the themes and styles evolve, we remain committed to excellence in clay sculpture craftsmanship and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage," he added.
On Ancient Culture Street, Tianjin's oldest hub for folk culture and commerce, the red-and-gold signboard of Clay Figure Zhang's shop stands out, drawing visitors inside.
Stepping into the elegant store, customers are greeted by lifelike, vibrantly painted sculptures depicting historical figures, folklore, daily life, and mythical legends, all displayed in the shop's windows.
"Each piece is exquisitely crafted and incredibly lifelike -- it feels as if the figures' expressions convey real emotions. I hope my children can experience this intangible cultural heritage firsthand and develop a love for China's traditional culture," said Teng Haiming, a visitor from Inner Mongolia, as he explored the shop with his children.
The Spring Festival, the social practice of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional new year, was added by UNESCO to its list of intangible cultural heritage in December last year.
Clay Figure Zhang also introduced a series of Chinese New Year-themed sculptures to celebrate the inclusion, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics.
Zhang noted that while these new pieces retained the realistic style and vibrant colors of Clay Figure Zhang's legacy, their design and color palettes incorporated contemporary influences.
"We release about five new works each year, continuously integrating modern elements into our clay figures," Zhang said.
Beyond its traditional sculptures, Clay Figure Zhang has also embraced cultural innovation, expanding into creative merchandise. A wide range of products, such as desk calendars, refrigerator magnets, and stamp books, are displayed in the store.
Among them, a newly launched bookmark stood out. "The bookmark is sealed with wax, similar to a blind box, adding an element of surprise for customers like drawing a lottery," said Li Dan, deputy general manager of Clay Figure Zhang.
Gao Pengfei, a 24-year-old visitor from Shandong, chose a Guan Gong clay sculpture bookmark inspired by the historical figure renowned for his loyalty.
"These new products bring intangible cultural heritage closer to younger generations, helping tourists better appreciate Tianjin's unique traditions," he said.
Li emphasized the importance of keeping traditional culture relevant in modern times. "We can't just wait for young people to take an interest in intangible cultural heritage. We must engage with the evolving market," she said.
"During the Spring Festival holiday, tourists from all over China visit our shop. We hope this store serves as a window to showcase the charm of Tianjin's folk art, culture, and intangible heritage," Zhang said. ■
直播招聘平台用户规模已超2.5亿,人社部发文推广直播带岗 直播带货不新奇,但你知道“直播带岗”吗? 在网络直播间,主播们正在向求职者们介绍着新的岗位,屏幕上求职者们不断提出对工作的问题,等待主播的一一解答... 【隔夜重磅】 特朗普“带货”卖鞋,一双399美元 据美联社18日消息,美国前总统唐纳德・特朗普近日突然出现在费城会议中心,并推销一款特朗普品牌球鞋,这双鞋定价399美元(约合2800元人民币),被命名为“永不言败高帮 春节档缘何爆发“撤档潮” 2024年春节档以80亿总票房打破多个纪录,迎来开门红。而8部影片有4部官宣“退档”,也为这个春节档带来了“史上罕见”的标签。一时全网哗然,#我也退出了春节档#、#撤档元年#等成热门话题 39.5万人次!春节期间上海机场单日旅客吞吐量创下历年春运最高纪录 中新网2月18日电 据上海机场集团微信公众号消息,自2月6日春运出港高峰首日至2月17日(年初八),上海浦东、虹桥机场共保障进出港旅客437.6万人次( 新华社记者周楠、余春生、谢奔“路上快要结冰了,开车要注意安全。”2月21日中午,在省道S306茶垭段,寒风瑟瑟,湖南省桑植县竹叶坪乡政府工作人员李雅敏正和同事对过往车辆进行警示提醒。气象部门分析,受强 加拿大将要求钢铁进口商填报“熔化和浇注国家”信息 中新网多伦多2月22日电 (记者 余瑞冬)加拿大政府要求,从今年11月5日开始,根据加拿大钢铁进口监测计划,钢铁进口商在填写进口报关单时,将需要向加边境服务局报告 。本文链接:Across China: Clay figures showcase charm of intangible cultural heritage in Spring Festivalhttp://www.sushuapos.com/show-5-44328-0.html
声明:本网站为非营利性网站,本网页内容由互联网博主自发贡献,不代表本站观点,本站不承担任何法律责任。天上不会到馅饼,请大家谨防诈骗!若有侵权等问题请及时与本网联系,我们将在第一时间删除处理。
上一篇: GLOBALink | German entrepreneur embraces Chinese New Year traditions in E China
下一篇: Across China: Robots add futuristic twist to China's Spring Festival