Gongsun Xin – Artisan of Zhizha Paper Art for Gaotai Acrobatic Stage in Tonghai County, Yuxi 

Gongsun Xin (公孙馨), male, Han nationality, was born in October 1949 in Qijie Village Group One, Siji Town, Tonghai County, Yuxi City. He is the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage inheritor of the Gao Tai paper扎 (纸扎) craft. Gao Tai in Tonghai is a unique traditional festival folk performance form originating from the Jiangnan region and has a history of over 400 years.

Learning and Inheritance

Gongsun Xin (公孙馨) has been passionate about the Gao Tai paper扎 (纸扎) craft since childhood. With his exceptional talent and diligent practice, he gradually mastered this unique skill. He is not only proficient in making Gao Tai but also has an in-depth study and practice of the paper扎 (纸扎) craft. Gongsun Xin’s (公孙馨) skills cover a variety of traditional crafts, including painting, sculpture, bamboo weaving, and ironwood craftsmanship, enabling him to create exquisite Gao Tai works.

Artistic Features

Gao Tai in Tonghai is a comprehensive art form that integrates drama, novels, myths, legends, stories, sculpture, painting, bamboo weaving, ironwood craftsmanship, and decorative arts. It is hailed as a “dramatic bonsai” or a “three-dimensional story bonsai.” The key to Gao Tai making lies in concealing the “skeleton,” meaning the iron rods supporting the entire stage must be hidden naturally and seamlessly. This is the unique skill of Gao Tai artisans.

Inheritance and Protection

Gongsun Xin (公孙馨) is well aware of the cultural value and significance of inheriting the Gao Tai paper扎 (纸扎) craft. He actively participates in the protection of intangible cultural heritage. He not only teaches the craft in his village but also promotes this traditional art through various cultural activities and performances. In November 2019, the Tonghai County Cultural Museum was recognized as the protection unit for the “Gao Tai (Tonghai Gao Tai)” project.
As the inheritor of the Gao Tai paper扎 (纸扎) craft, Gongsun Xin (公孙馨) has not only achieved excellence in the craft but also made significant contributions to the inheritance and promotion of this intangible cultural heritage.

Measures to Protect the Gao Tai Making Craft

Protecting the Gao Tai making craft requires a multi-faceted approach, combining the efforts of the government, society, and inheritors to ensure the continuation and development of this intangible cultural heritage. Here are the specific measures:

Government Support and Policy Protection

  • Establishment of Protection Units: In November 2019, the Tonghai County Cultural Museum was recognized as the protection unit for the “Gao Tai (Tonghai Gao Tai)” project. On October 31, 2023, the protection unit was reconfirmed as the Tonghai County Cultural Museum (Tonghai County Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Center), ensuring the continuity of protection efforts.
  • Legislative Protection: By enacting relevant laws and regulations, the protection targets, scope, and measures are clearly defined. For example, the “Yuxi City Tonghai Historical and Cultural City Protection Regulations” lists the Gao Tai making craft as an object of intangible cultural heritage protection.
  • Financial Support: The government should provide special funds for the inheritance, training, and display activities of the Gao Tai making craft. For example, the Tonghai County Cultural Museum’s Gao Tai making craft training class received financial support from the government.

Inheritor Cultivation and Education

  • Master-Apprentice Inheritance: Encourage national and provincial inheritors, such as Gongsun Xin (公孙馨), to cultivate a new generation of inheritors through master-apprentice inheritance. For example, Gongsun Xin (公孙馨) personally taught the Gao Tai making craft in the training class held by the Tonghai County Cultural Museum.
  • School Education: Incorporate the Gao Tai making craft into the school education system and introduce it to students through interest classes and extracurricular activities.
  • Community Training: Host Gao Tai making craft training classes in the community to attract more Gao Tai art enthusiasts. For example, in August 2016, the Tonghai County Cultural Museum held a Gao Tai paper扎 (纸扎) making craft training class at the Qijie Community Committee and Qijie Training Hall in Siji Town, attracting more than 40 participants.

Cultural Activities and Display

  • Cultural Activities: Organize various cultural activities, such as Spring Festival parades and folk art exhibitions, to showcase the Gao Tai making craft and enhance its social impact. For example, on February 8, 2016, Gao Tai was performed in the Tonghai County Spring Festival parade.
  • Establishment of Training Halls: Set up Gao Tai making craft training halls to provide a fixed venue for inheritors and trainees. For example, the Qijie Training Hall in Tonghai County has become an important base for the inheritance of the Gao Tai making craft.

Digital Protection and Innovation

  • Digital Recording: Utilize modern technological means to digitally record and preserve the Gao Tai making craft. For example, through filming, audio recording, and 3D modeling, the entire process of Gao Tai making is documented.
  • Innovative Display Methods: Use virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies to innovate the display methods of the Gao Tai making craft and attract more young people’s attention.

Cultural Ecological Environment Protection

  • Establishment of Cultural Ecological Protection Zones: In the regions where the Gao Tai making craft is practiced, establish cultural ecological protection zones to safeguard the cultural ecological environment on which it depends. For example, by protecting the historical and cultural city of Tonghai County, a favorable cultural ecological environment is provided for the Gao Tai making craft.

For Chinese version please go to:
http://www.ynich.cn/view-ml-13111-3272.html