Bringing paper to life

Many months ago, I took up a forsaken hobby. I drew and painted an adaptation of my childhood cartoon. A rough sketch in watercolour smudge is a reward in itself, but it opens up new possibilities. I have just discovered an inspiring creative pursuit. Paper art can provide a much-needed refuge from distraction.

It was the most thoughtful activity. There were only me, two curators and paper crafts.

Held under the theme of "Taiwan Eco-Island", an exhibition is showcasing over 70 pieces of artwork by two Taiwanese artists -- Hsin-Fu Hung and Ching-Yao Liang -- this month at Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University. It is a collaboration with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand (TECO).

"Paper is an important material of human civilisation and is indispensable in our daily life, but not everyone can have a chance to enjoy the fun part of paper. Folding it into an airplane, a frog or even a crane is an interesting memory of almost every child in Taiwan. Schools and parents believe that folding paper as a game is good for children's hand-brain co-ordination and imagination," said TECO.

The Alishan forest train. (Photo: Thana Boonlert)

The two artists joined the opening ceremony of the event early this month. Their works reflect Taiwan's natural and cultural resources. It is an eco-island with biodiversity because even though it covers an area of 36,000 km², its geographical features include 268 mountains of over 3,000m in height. In the same vein, its paper art is steeped in history and uniqueness. It is different from traditional origami and papercutting.

Hsin-Fu Hung is an award-winning paper artist renowned for portraying the biodiversity of the island. His interest in paper art has begun in childhood, but it was not until he was 14 when he began to take classes. He has pursued an artistic career for almost four decades. In 2013, he led students to create the world's longest 3D book for the Guinness World Records. In 2016, he became the first Taiwanese paper artist to be invited to hold an exhibition at the Louvre Museum.

"Imagination and craftmanship can bring paper to life. I never apply glue to any piece. In this exhibition, I have created a rabbit lamp and other local creatures out of paper like birds, fish, bears and butterflies. I am interested in and inspired by the environment," he told local media.

Above Rawiroach Singhalumpong, a public relations officer, shows a paper boat. (Photo: Thana Boonlert)

Visitors can snip out and fold souvenir cards into animals. (Photo: Thana Boonlert)

His menageries are the salient feature of the exhibition. A replica of a native swallowtail butterfly, an endangered species, retains original characteristics including hind wings and crescent-shaped mottles. Nearby, an outstanding native blue magpie perches on a branch. Its black head contrasts with a red, orange, and yellow beak. It feeds on everything from insects to fruits.

In the back corner of the room stands a row of wild animals, including a tiger, yellow cattle and a black bear. On the opposite side is a platform where zodiac signs are arranged in a semicircle. There are small creatures like tree frogs, crabs, clownfish and even tadpoles which can move using marbles.

Following in his teacher's footsteps, Ching-Yao Liang is an award-winning new-generation paper artist. He developed an interest in brain toys at a young age because his family sold them to kids, adults and the elderly who suffer from dementia. Inspired by a book by Hsin-Fu Hung, he took classes with him. All of them have influenced his interactive artwork, especially pop-ups. His works focus on art, culture and architecture.

Swallowtail butterfly. (Photo: Thana Boonlert)

Below This game involves untying red ropes from two handcuffed figures. (Photo: Thana Boonlert)

"In this exhibition, I have introduced many brain toys. Viewers can scan QR codes to learn how to play with them. I have also made souvenir cards with culturally distinctive patterns," he said.

Some of his works are modelled on historical sites. A pop-up miniature of a Buddhist pagoda is surrounded by deities. Inside are very small figures of two monks and pink lotus. There are also two replicas of famous rail services. Located in the central mountain range, the Alishan forest train forms a vertical belt that passes through many types of forest. Beside it is a steam train that once transported sugar cane and other raw materials.

Others are paper games for cognitive development. It requires concentration and patience to solve his puzzles. I struggled to remove rings from an axis and untie red ropes from two handcuffed figures. It was sheer mental labour. But in the last game, I could easily fit the small pieces to reconstruct an original shape.

Demonstrations, however, should be more user-friendly. It is difficult to switch between a mobile screen and a real game. Small tablets should be installed in front of each to guide visitors step by step. Moreover, posters should be put up to provide the context of each artwork and ease the burden for curators. When it comes to viewers, take time to explore each piece. Paper art is a form of meditation.

"Taiwan Eco-Island" is on view at the Chudharatanabhorn Building of Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University until the end of this month. For more information, contact the university's office of art and culture at 02-160-1216 or email aco@ssru.ac.th.

TECO is working on the Fifth Taiwan Film Festival, which will take place from October-November. It will screen 10 feature films and documentaries in Bangkok and other cities in Thailand.