WHAT WE LOVE TODAY:
The Beautiful Paper Art
by Ferry Staverman
I'll Just Put These Right Here....
I first saw these at Tent London several years ago. These jaw-dropping beauties are created by artist Ferry Staverman. He is a Dutch artist who graduated from the Royal Academy of Arts in the Hague, and today works and lives in the Netherlands. They are three-dimensional recycled paper (card stock actually) and are reinforced for strength with string so they hold their form.
The history of papercutting...
It is an ancient art form where the artist creates these sculptures with the preciseness of a scissor or knife. The finished product is delicate cut pieces and forms with an-almost origami feel. The art form dates back to the 4th century, and many believe the Chinese first perfected it during the Han dynasty after the Chinese official, Cai Lun invented paper. The Chinese have been internationally recognized for their ancient paper-cutting art.
Eventually, it was used in different cultures all over the world and during the 8th and 9th centuries in West Asia; European countries in the 13th century, but became popular in Germany and Switzerland in the 16th century. Back in the day, religious stencils were used in embroidery. The cut-out sculptures look beautiful hung in windows to show the light shining through. The Japanese are renowned for having honed the art, and called Kirigami, it was developed when Tesuki Washi paper was invented in China. In Europe, the Silhouette (portraits our of black paper) first became popular in the 16th century. And, today many artists follow some of these styles and techniques in their art.
These extra large size sculpture are architectural and grand, and when showcased like this in repeated forms with different size and colors, they look gorgeous, almost-cartoonish. To me, they feel like trees in the forest and they look even more beautiful huddled together. The colors are tremendous. It appears the design and fashion world are just as enamored with these beauties...French atelier Hermes and others have stood up and taken notice. From tabletop size to massive structures, it's all beautiful!
Happy Nesting
XO Tamara
ferry staverman for Hermes
Ferry Staverman , Printemps
