EXHIBITION 0F SHADOW PUPPETS SHAANXI CHINA

PREFACE

The shadow show, illuminated puppet figures - by three to five manipulators -- on a transparent white cloth screen, is an artistic combination of opera, music, fine art and special craftsmanship. It is a very typically traditional entertainment that has survived and thrived over the centuries. It is also one of the earliest arts introduced into the West.

Record has it that Shaanxi shadow show dates back to the Han Dynasty, about 2000 years ago. lt stands out for its elaborate and colorful engravings plus the exquisite performing skills.

The puppets are mostly made of skins from cattle and donkeys. Such a show involves a complete and complex process before it actually happens on the stage -- choice of materials, making of characters and execution, including cutting, carving, painting, etc. The physiognomy of a shadow figure is called in Chinese toucha. In general most faces are made in profile or in a half view. The figure's nose bridge stretches straight upward to its forehead. Except for eyebrows, eyes, and mouths. the blank space of the face has to be gashed and cut away. Five colors -- red, green, yellow, white and black -- are applied on the face in varying degrees of density and thickness to show different images and personalities of the characters. At length different parts of the figure are connected by threads, forming movable joints for a posture of, say, sitting, standing, kneeling or whatever actions necessary.

This exhibition offers 50 pieces of shadow puppets collected and selected from various parts of Shaanxi Province. They fall into four categories -- General Characters from Shadow Plays, Some Well-known Characters from Shadow Plays, Stories from Shadow Plays, and Props Used in the Shadow Plays. Through this small exhibition we want to extend our best regards to all the friends who love Chinese culture, in particular shadow theater.

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