Prompt 1 (DP)

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It’s a small animation lasting for about 1 minute. Originally, this is an advertisement made for LIPTON mike tea by a group of people led by me. As an advertisement, it’s passing the New Year blessings through, including love, happiness and good fortune. The little boys and girls decorated in traditional ways put these three things into the lucky money pocket. And it turns out to be a cup of tea for everyone’s family and friends with all the blessings and wishes.

I find it compelling in several ways especially during the Chinese New Year. Put the last few seconds aside, ignore the advertising things first, it’s filled with the New Year atmosphere, the memory of special days striving for a certain goal and the respect for traditional art showed by the young generation in a time that traditional things are diminishing every minute.

This is a video made by very traditional Chinese art, paper cutting. In the old days, paper cutting is often used for decoration during the New Year time made by the village craftsmen. But nowadays, it varies and is used here. In paper cutting, every single element can become abundant, not only outside, but also inside. The patterns on the little, on the pot, on the cup are not just for beauty, but for describing the characters of everything, even a pot. Flowers, which can be seen in everywhere, represents New Year and happiness. Cloud represents peace and harmony, while coins represent lucky money for the children. I love these symbolized things, which give life to every characters, just like the facial makeup in Chinese operas. And they are beautifully organized in a very special way.

Jan. 23th is the Chinese lunar New Year, as a student living abroad alone, I’m more absorbed by the traditional art which brings me atmosphere of a new year and reminding me the feeling of beginning another lunar year. Maybe it also kind of represents family and friends, all the happy moment connected with tradition and reminded by tradition.

Although not being made by any famous artist, it’s still my favorite work till now. It represents the days all producers work together 12 hours a day cutting the red papers, studying traditional art and thinking about meanings and ideas. A special and precious memory is stored in this video, so it’s even more compelling to me.