Thoughts on the Re-creation and Development of Chinese Folk Toys

Abstract : Chinese folk toys have rich cultural connotations and are positive and creative results filled with human mind. The reference and re-creation of Chinese folk toys has always been a topic of concern for modern toy designers. This article discusses the sources, means, and sales methods of Chinese folk toys re-creation and development, and summarizes the Chinese folk toy culture for today. The method used, in order to use this article to call the toy designer to deepen the thinking and exploration of the characteristics and state of Chinese folk toy culture. The Chinese folk toy culture is theoretically guided by the thinking process and design concept of modern toy design.

This article is the Hunan Provincial Department of Education 2005 research project "Toy Design Theory and Its Application", project number 05C653
Originally published in Journal of Shandong Normal University, 2006.2

Chinese folk toys are known for their long history, vast distribution areas and rich variety, which have an important impact on Chinese arts and crafts and play a unique role in social life. As a living fossil that records the history of life art in all ages and regions of China, it has many social and artistic values ​​that are not available in the “mainstream” and “traditional” art. It spans age and transcends the country and has become the common material spiritual wealth of all mankind. The study of its value orientation in modern life is a closely watched issue of modern toy designers. The folk toys of ancient and modern China and foreign countries, as a multi-talented and multi-intelligent folk artist's contribution to human culture, how to keep up with the trend and rhythm of the development of the times, to bring forth fresh brilliance, to bring new enlightenment to human beings, we need to go Research and research.

The rich content and colorful forms of Chinese folk toys determine its important position in the field of Chinese folk art. The research on the creation methods of folk toys, the principle of composition and the aesthetic significance embodied in the works will contribute to the discussion and summary of the general laws of Chinese arts and crafts; it will contribute to the creative activities of arts and crafts and promote the fine arts The prosperity of the cause. The creative activities of modern toy design will also receive correct guidance, and its artistic value will continue to improve.

1. Folklore, folk songs, myths, folk customs are the source of Chinese folk toy design.

The society is developing at a rapid pace, and people's demands for material culture are constantly asking for newer requirements. Toys play an important role in human social life. The development of contemporary toys is inseparable from the inheritance and innovation of traditional toys, the rich content and various forms of folk toys provide a solid foundation for the production of Chinese contemporary toys. The in-depth study of folk toys contributes to the prosperity of the toy industry. It will provide a theoretical basis for the nationalization and modernization of contemporary toys. At the same time, like many traditional cultures, traditional toys are also facing a more severe living environment, but if they deliberately protect the survival of folk toys, it is better to make folk toys rejuvenate and relive the vitality, so that this cultural heritage of China is The re-creation of today's people is accepted by the times. The Chinese civilization has a long history. There are fifty-six ethnic minorities in the country. Each ethnic group has its own folk customs, folk songs, folktales and heroes. There are people and things to talk about, and civilizations for thousands of years have provided inexhaustible materials and sources for toy design.

Folklore, folk songs, myths, folk customs are the source of Chinese folk toy design. In the Journey to the West, Sun Wukong, Pig Bajie, Yunnan's Ashima, Guangxi's Liu Sanjie, the four beautiful women who have been uploaded to history, and the changing characters in the operas. Such as: clowns in Beijing opera, painted faces, changing faces in Sichuan opera, and the dramatic form of singing in Ningxia. The dramas in Jiangxi and the Huagu Opera in Hunan, their dramatic forms and the development of toys by theatrical characters are all ideas that induce creation and touch the creators. European and American toys are designed to be re-entertained. From the perspective of our national cultural traditions, while toys are being entertained, knowledge should be the trend of Chinese folk toys to rejuvenate. Our many fables and historical stories are good subjects for toy creation. Such as: the Uighur legendary figure of Avanti, and so on. Similarly, the transformation of Chinese traditional folk toys is an important part. For example, the mud tiger of Fengxiang, Shaanxi Province, is colorful, lively, but fragile. If it can be designed as an activity without losing its vivid features, it should be welcomed. Another example: the toy that Beijing circulates - the mouse marrying woman, is also a folk story. It is said that the mouse wants to find a rich and powerful family for her daughter. Looking for the sun, the sun said, I am afraid that the clouds will block, look for clouds, and the clouds say, I am afraid that the wind will blow away and look for the wind. The wind said, I am afraid that the wall is blocked, and I look for the wall. The wall says, I am afraid that the mouse will make a hole, and finally I will find the mouse groom. The lively wave made by the mouse marrying girl is very popular. In the production and transformation of folk toys, you can not lose its simple meaning, but also redesign the materials and production processes to produce a good market effect.

The re-creation of folk toys cannot be at the expense of losing cultural connotation. The Chinese cultural spirit contained in folk toys is a selling point that resonates with buyers, and loses cultural connotations and loses selling points.

two. The re-creation of folk toys and the combination of high and new technology are important means for the development of folk toys.

Folk toys must be rejuvenated and must be matched with the times to be accepted by today's consumers. The splendid ancient civilization will slowly die if it is unacceptable to the world. In our time, it has the characteristics of our times. The rapid development of high and new technology attracts and changes people's lives. The Chinese folk toys under the slash-and-burn power productivity can only rejuvenate the youth by catering to and guiding people's aesthetic tastes. High-tech brings convenience to people, and high-tech can make culture. Entertainment products are more in line with people's needs, making people's imagination a reality. For example, the electronic dog produced by Sony Corporation of Japan will run, call, and spoil. These things that the ancients could not imagine have become a reality today. This requires the rejuvenation of folk toys to be combined with high technology.