“Other faces. Masks, puppets and shadow art from the collections of the National Art Museum of China ” is a name of exhibition which opened in State Etographic Museum in Warsaw.

The aim of the exhibition is to show both material and spiritual heritage of Chinese culture. The exhibition will present Chinese folk art (such as masks, puppets and shadow theater) from the collection of the National Art Museum of China (NAMOC). Alongside will be organized a series of workshops and educational meetings for children and adults.

Chinese masks and puppets, derived from the ancient religious rites celebrated thousands of years ago, surprise with diversity. Thanks to them, artists were able to obtain an amazing artistic effects, and with time passing, creating beautiful masks and theater puppet exerting a strong impression on the audience, has become a distinct art.

Shadow theater has a long history in Chinese folk art, especially in the areas bordering on the Yellow River, the cradle of Chinese civilization. Dolls were excised from the leather, and a variety of artistic effects were achieved by moving them or a light source. For thousands of years the shadows theater attracted the audience with his charm and refined aesthetics, becoming the precursor of modern cinema. In 2011, the. Chinese shadow theater was added to UNESCO Representative Li.st of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

World of masks, puppets and shadows is a world of heroes, noble lords, great battles, romantic themes, myths and legends. For each character is assigned a different meaning, each color has its own symbolism. Masks and puppets show different faces of Chinese culture, which characteristic is artistic creativity and dreams of a better future.

The exhibition will be on display from 25 October 2014 to 1 March 2015.

Source: ethnomuseum.pl