Art festival of China's ICH

　　Ⅱ. Piying Xi

　　The Art of Silhouette, known in China as Leather-cut Shadow Show or Piying Xi, dates back more than 2,000 years to the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-220 A.D.). Legend has it that Emperor Wudi had been so deeply attached to his mistress Madame Li that upon her death, he was struck with immense grief. He then had her portrait painted and hung in his court, which nonetheless did not ease his sorrow - it made it worse.

　　There came shortly afterward an idea that the graceful features of Madame Li could be reproduced through a certain form of art. After days of preparation, a screen was finally set up, lit up by candles at night. Emperor Wudi, seated at a distance, was then able to see his favorite mistress again on the screen in all her life-like poses, seated and then dancing swiftly, to the delight of the ruler. Later, unfortunately, the Emperor grew even more depressed for lacking the means to converse with his love.

　　Setting the touching tale aside, the figure of Madame Li was actually projected by candlelight on the screen through some paper cuts, which recreated her colorful image, delicate complexion, and postures by means of handicraft cutting, sculpture, and painting. That was the vivid figure the Emperor actually did see.

　　Ox leather was later used in creating silhouette works in a variety of large-scale performances, the themes of which were either based on the silhouette artist's personal creation or derived from the rich cultural and historical heritage of China, ranging from human figures, and legendary beings, to wild animals.