#6 in an ongoing series of posts celebrating the alphabet.
Today, let’s bask in the utterly exquisite, mind boggling beauty and delicate intricacy of Hina Aoyama’s papercut art.
Awhile ago, Sara Lewis Holmes tipped me off about this amazing Japanese artist who now lives in France creating pieces that truly take the breath away.
Though she does a lot of scenic pieces, she also handcuts letters, poems, and pieces of literature:
Here’s a Basho haiku,
and a piece that is permanently on display at a miniature museum in Lyon:
She doesn’t use a laser; everything is done by hand with a pair of scissors:
A letter from Voltaire:
Japanese-Swiss Manga:
Here’s a close-up of one of her pieces,
and she even does jewelry!
*Sigh and swoon*
Hina Aoyama’s work has received worldwide acclaim, including a 2008 Paper Art Triennale International Musee de Charmey Suisse First Prize. She says, “My passion is to create a finest cutoff beyond the level of the very time-consuming needle lace making. I don’t follow traditional, but I am trying to create a mixture of the traditional and modern styles and to produce my own world through this super fine lacy-paper-cuttings technique.”
She recently published a book featuring her work, which you can learn more about here.
You absolutely must see her photostream on Flickr and her MySpace page.
Thanks again, Sara, for sharing this great find!
*All images from Hina Aoyama’s Flickr photostream and MySpace page.
Certified authentic alphabetica, handmade just for you with love and a new respect for scissors.
Simply amazing!
http://kristivaliant.blogspot.com
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Oh my WORD. That’s just stunning. I’ve seen some lovely Scherenschnitte, but all those words? Mind-bogglingly amazing.
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Gorgeous work!
Thanks for sharing 🙂
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gorgeous. stunning. thanks for sharing 🙂
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Wow. All by hand? And she manages to string the words together with vines and whatnot. So gorgeous. I’m glad you shared this, Jama.
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not so random commenter
wow, that is really beautiful. I have tried paper cutting before, even with a stencil I am so bad at it :0)
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I’m wondering what she does with mistakes — repairs them or starts over? With the larger pieces there are bound to be breaks, tears, etc.
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I love Scherenschnitte too, but never saw anything quite like this!
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You’re welcome. Hope you check out her flicker stream to see her other stuff, too!
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Glad you enjoyed it, Colleen. 🙂
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I can’t imagine sitting there with a scissors for hours, doing such tedious work! Talk about patience and eye strain.
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Re: not so random commenter
Well, you’re ahead of me, as I haven’t even bothered to try paper cutting. 🙂
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WOW this stuff is AMAZING!!! I’ve never seen anything quite like it before. It is breathtakingly beautiful. THanks for sharing the find!
– Carrie, RtK
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These are the most incredible things I’ve ever seen. So much grace! Thanks for sharing.
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Re: not so random commenter
I don’t recommend it, you get hand cramps, no fun!
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Wow, Jama, you took that one little link I sent you and this gorgeous post is the result! Wow. and Wow. (I wish I could remember where I first saw the link, probably BB-Blog or Crooked House, since that’s where I most often ooh and ahh.)
That Voltaire letter is beyond unbelievable.
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oh my goodness! I’ve never seen the like. Simply and utterly gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.
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It really is breathtaking. How can people do this?
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You’re welcome, Becky. It’s wonderful to see some of the amazing talents others have.
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It was Crooked House. Did a little googling; there are lots of other blog posts about her. Now I wish I could read French better and know Japanese to be able to get more background info, etc.
Thanks for keeping my alphabet obsession in mind as you surf the net!
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Anytime, Susan :)!
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Tanita Says 🙂
I am absolutely gasping with longing. LOVE THIS.
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Oh wow! So beautiful!
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What exquisite work! I love this. I find the coolest stuff on your blog!
Becky
http://www.rebeccasramsey.blogspot.com
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Re: Tanita Says 🙂
I’m trying to picture you gasping. I love your passionate reaction :).
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Sigh . . .
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Credit must go to Sara for alerting me to this amazing artist. Thanks for stopping by, Becky!
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Oh gracious, those are STUNNING. Gotta try to see that book. Thanks for sharing this (thanks to Sara, too).
Jules
7-Imp
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“Papercut” has taken on a whole new meaning!
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This is amazingly beautiful, thanks for the post Jama!
caribookscoops
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All by hand and just with scissors?! *dies*
Tarie
Into the Wardrobe
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You’re welcome!
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Unbelievable, isn’t it?
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Her work is absolutely AMAZING and inspiring! I can’t believe she does all that with a scissors. Thanks so much for sharing!
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You’re welcome, Stephanie! Thanks for stopping by :). . .
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