In Chinese culture, plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum are called four gentlemen in flowers. Among them, bamboo is the only one not famous for admiring flowers, but it was made into various work of art, that is bamboo weaving art. It is an important part of Chinese traditional culture, and there is even a specialized bamboo art museum in China, collecting thousands of fine arts of bamboo weaving. And these are not the whole story of bamboo art creation. In this article, we try to search for the creation sources of bamboo weaving art.
Initially, we will explore the bamboo weaving technology, which can be roughly divided into three processes, including starting the foundation, weaving, securing the edge. According to the thickness of bamboo strips, it can be further divided into coarse and fine bamboo slivers. The most common bamboo pillow, fan and rain hat are usually weaved by coarse bamboo slivers, while the fine bamboo slivers can be made to a thickness similar to hair strands, weaving more complex and detail patterns, like bamboo weaving picture. Through different weaving methods and inserting different colors, various patterns and designs can be realized. This unique traditional craft makes it possible for craftsmen or designer to turn their creative ideas become final products.
For bamboo weaving art, daily life is the primary source of creation. In the Neolithic Age, bamboo was the first time to make into utensils, and till today, there are still many daily home goods are weaved by bamboo, such as bamboo furniture, serving tray, and bag. The bamboo weaving art comes from everyday life then serves for it.
Secondly, the pattern of bamboo weaving is tightly connected with natural. I have to admire the imagination of traditional craftsmen. They transformed natural phenomena into the art. Water corrugation pattern and cloud pattern, which come from natural scenery, are widely used. Besides, a lot of animals and plants elements appear in the bamboo weaving designs. And the bamboo animals are popular in the public space, like parks, shopping malls, art museums. The designers express the beauty of nature using natural material.
Due to the deep significance of culture, it must be mentioned that bamboo weaving patterns also reflect many literary works. Poetry, idioms, and Chinese mythological stories are all reinterpreted in the bamboo weaving art, become three-dimensional and more vivid. A bamboo artwork woven with beautiful poetry is very romantic and poetic, whether it is given as a gift or placed in your own home.
In the modern society, in additional to traditional daily life, natural biological, and literary works, the inspiration of bamboo weaving patterns is more and more from new concepts. For example, Booboa’s bamboo weaving handicrafts combine globe environment protection concept, the unique thought of designer, and innovative technology, like using computer-aided technology to design complex bamboo weaving patterns.
Creative sources of bamboo weaving art are far from over and they are outpouring with the development of the times. All above, make the creation of bamboo weaving art maintain a strong vitality.
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