1. Reyzele
Paper lacework
Form 11-a
Malik Katherine
Adviser : Iryna Fridman
2. History
Everyone knows, that the first sheet of paper
was invented in China (2 century B.C.) and
the first ornament, that was clipped off of
paper had also appeared there.
However, only magnates could afford this
kind of ornament, because paper wasn’t a
cheap material.
In the 7-th century B.C. the art of paper cutting
began to spread abroad. Firstly, it came to
Japan and then, along the Silk Road to
other countries of Eurasia.
This art has very fast and became native in
some countries. In 19-20 century, when it
was very easy to get paper, literally in every
village in houses (on the
walls, ceilings, windows) you could see the
ornaments, cut from paper. They had Poland
different names everywhere.
Ukraine – vitinanki
Russia – virezanki
Belarus – vitsepianki
China – Tszianchji
Lithuania – popieriaus karpiniai
Poland - wycinanka
Japan
3. The Name
Reyzele – translated from Yiddish
means “rosette”
Rose (shoshana) is one of the
symbols of Jewish nation. The
love to God is often called rose.
The beloved girl is also often
called a rose. And in those
times, when the Jewish
population of Western Europe
took over the art of clipping off
of paper, the girls mostly were
doing it. Here is the connection.
California, the end of ХХ century
4. Symbolics
If something from other nations appears in Jewish culture, this something
never ever can break the canons of Jewish tradition.
For example, there is a taboo on picturing human being, on Reyzele you’ll
never see it.
It is clear, that the bunch
of grapes, from the
Promised Land was
carried by people, not by
Philippine monkeys, but
when you can’t picture
people – you turn to
animals.
5. Each time Jewish masters take something from the surrounding nations, they try to
add something own.
The symbol of New
Zealand is a small bird
kiwi. In this Reyzele the
New Zealand and Jewish
culture are connected.
We can understand it
from the seven-branched
candlestick
(menorah), typical
symbol of Israel.
6. Master-class
You’ll need:
Fold the paper twice
A piece of coloured paper
A piece of black paper (or
just dark) Paint whatever
we will paint. The
A knife for paper (stationery main thing is that
knife will do it) details must be
connected, anoth
A pencil
er way they will
simply drop out.
7. Cut the painted part. Unwrap
Put the glue on the piece of black
paper.
It is best to use a glue stick.
We put the glue on the Reyzele,
because otherwise it will live the prints
on the black paper.
