Li Ziqi and Lacquerware: A Resplendent Return to the Heritage of Beauty
On November 12th, the renowned traditional culture video creator, Li Ziqi, made a striking return with her latest work, highlighting the exquisite beauty of Chinese lacquerware, an intangible cultural heritage.
Lacquerware, a treasure of art with thousands of years of history, once shone brightly along the river of civilization in the land of Huaxia. It is not just a craft but also a crystallization of the wisdom and aesthetics of the Chinese nation. In the video, Li Ziqi seemed to possess a magical key, gently unlocking the mysterious and splendid door of lacquerware art for everyone.
In the video, Li Ziqi, with her usual grace and composure, leads the audience into the world of lacquerware. Starting from the meticulous selection of materials, she meticulously documents each step. The lacquer trees, like witnesses of time, silently contribute their essence to the art of lacquerware. The process of collecting lacquer is arduous and mysterious; lacquer farmers traverse the lacquer forests on the summer nights, carefully extracting the lacquer. The ancient proverb, "One pound of lacquer requires thousands of knife cuts," speaks of the arduous process of harvesting lacquer, instilling in us a newfound reverence for the art of lacquerware.
The refined lacquer, in the hands of artisans匠人(jiàng rén), seems to come alive. Li Ziqi follows a representative inheritor of the national-level intangible cultural heritage project in Chengdu, diligently learning every aspect of the craft.
匠人 (jiàng rén), noun, artisan
Examples:
- These artisans are very skilled.
这些匠人技艺精湛。
zhè xiē jiàng rén jì yì jīng zhàn 。 - The artisan crafted a beautiful piece of work.
这位匠人制作了一件精美的作品。
zhè wèi jiàng rén zhì zuò le yī jiàn jīng měi de zuò pǐn 。
From crafting the wooden mold, applying the lacquer, polishing, decorating, to burnishing... each step is imbued with the tireless effort and sweat of the artisans. Her hands gently caress the lacquerware, as if engaging in a dialogue with these ancient objects, feeling the history and culture they carry. Watching her focused eyes and earnest expression, we glimpse the shadows of craftsmen silently toiling in workshops, experiencing the dedication and perseverance toward traditional craftsmanship.
A major highlight in the video is the lacquerware漆器(qī qì) wardrobe handcrafted by Li Ziqi for her grandmother. The wardrobe, adorned with a golden unicorn motif symbolizing auspiciousness and longevity, with the lifelike stance of the mythical creature, seems almost to leap off the lacquerware. The vibrant colors blending with the subtle and rustic charm recreate the classical beauty of traditional Chinese craftsmanship. This piece is not just a practical piece of furniture but also an artistic treasure brimming with Li Ziqi's deep blessings for her grandmother.
漆器 (qī qì), noun, lacquerware
Examples:
- This lacquerware is very exquisite.
这件漆器非常精美。
zhè jiàn qī qì fēi cháng jīng měi 。 - The museum has a collection of ancient lacquerware.
博物馆收藏了一批古代漆器。
bó wù guǎn shōu cáng le yī pī gǔ dài qī qì 。
As a well-known figure in the internet realm, Li Ziqi's works are beloved by netizens. Increasingly, young people are delving into Chinese traditional culture and intangible cultural heritage through her videos. After three years of accumulation, her new work continues her distinctive and soothing style, delicately presenting the unique charm of blending traditional culture with modern life, growing more profound and captivating.
Li Ziqi's return brings the beauty of intangible cultural heritage back into the public eye. With her lens, she vividly showcases the allure of lacquerware art, allowing more people to appreciate the value and significance of ancient traditional skills. Following the release of her video, it quickly climbed to the top of various social media platforms' hot search rankings, with netizens expressing their astonishment and admiration.
In this fast-paced era, Li Ziqi's videos flow like a clear spring in people's hearts, prompting us to pause our hurried steps and quietly appreciate the charm of traditional culture.
After her return, Li Ziqi released three videos. The first video featured hidden flower carving in lacquerware, presenting a wardrobe to her grandmother. The second video was a personal gift to herself; for many years, she had dreamt of having her own dressing room, and she made it happen, creating a forest-themed dressing room for herself—a manifestation of self-love. The third video was dedicated to all her fans, using handmade velvet flowers and Shu brocade, symbolizing embellishment, flourishing brilliance, heartfelt wishes fulfilled, and a lifetime of prosperity.
She also self-taught piano and performed songs. She aims to send the best blessings to everyone. During these days of inactivity, she continues to grow, perseveres in learning, and wholeheartedly loves herself. This wonderful Li Ziqi, deserving of admiration from us all, serves as a role model. We look forward to her bringing more surprises to us!