Papel Picado-The Mexican Art Of Paper Cutting

Papel Picado

Papel Picado is a Mexican folk art that involves cutting paper into intricate designs. The words papel picado mean "punched paper" and this traditional art uses tissue paper in a variety of colors to make beautiful pieces and banners. Historically, the paper cuttings are for holidays and special occasions. Bright colors of paper are used, and many artisans can cut 30 to 50 sheets at a time. A hammer and chisel is needed to cut the paper into a pattern. Many pictures that are depicted are flowers, skeletons, or a special design. Particular colors are often associated with the holiday celebration. For instance, skeletons are frequently used for banners for the Day of the Dead celebration, the most common holiday that uses papel picado.

• Texas State Library: Papel Picado: The art of Mexican cut paper.
• Paper: Basic explanation of papel picado.
• Papel Picado: A Festive Mexican Tradition: Report of festivities using papel picado.

Popular Depictions in Papel Picado

The Mexican holiday Dia de los Meurtos is November 1-2. This holiday is dedicated to remembering loved ones who have died. Many people in Mexico go to gravesites to set up memorials for their deceased family. Shrines are erected, using flowers, pictures, and food. It is thought that this act will notify the deceased souls so they will know they are being remembered. Papel picado pieces for this holiday frequently depict skeletons in a variety of situations, such as those dancing, eating, or playing musical instruments. It is a way to remember the dead that have gone on into another life.Papel Picado pieces are also used for many other celebrations in Mexico. December 12 is a feast day for the Virgin of Guadalupe; a shrine in Mexico City dedicated to Mary, the mother of Christ. Frequently, papel picado banners and pieces are made in reds, greens and white colors to celebrate this day. Christmas nativity scenes are also cut into paper to celebrate Christmas, and Mexican papel picado pieces use a variety of all colors for Christmas banners.

• Día de los Muertos: Background about the Day of the Dead.
• The Day of the Dead: Photographs and information about the holiday.
• Day of the Dead Holiday: Details about the days of celebration.
• Mexican Papel Picado: Basic background and photographs of the folk art.
• Fine Art in Papel Picado: Several depictions of the art.

The Papel Picado Process

Paper cutting requires a skill that is becoming a lost art. The expert artist commonly uses tissue paper and lays out the paper in layers, sometimes up to fifty at a time. A pattern is placed over the paper as a guide of where to cut. The artisan then takes a chisel and, with a mallet, hits the chisel in the right location to make a cut through all of the layers of paper. This is done, one cut at a time across the entire piece until the pattern is displayed. The cut pieces are then removed to reveal the picture. The work can be quite an extensive process for larger pieces, requiring hours of cutting.

• Mexican Papel Picado Banners: Information and photographs about the art.
• Kids Corner: Elementary directions for paper cutting.
• Mexico Culture and Art: Background of papel picado and explanation of process.

Papel Picado in San Salvador Huixcolotla Puebla Mexico

The region of San Salvador Huixcolotla is found in the state of Puebla. This community is where most papel picado is made for Mexico and exported around the world. This village has two rival artisan families who produce most of the papel picado. The two families are the Rojas and the Vivancos, who both have had generations of family members practicing the art of paper cutting. The two families have had a rivalry for many years, but it has kept this folk art alive in the area, promoting further sales and exports, something that may not have happened otherwise.

• Museum of International Folk Art: Explanation and history of the process.
• Mexico Desconocido: Huixcolotla, San Salvador, the birthplace of confetti.

Papel Picado Around the World

Paper cutting has an extensive history, dating back to the invention of paper in 105 AD by Ts’ai Lun in China. Called hua yang, paper cutting in China was known as a prominent art for centuries before it began to spread to other countries via the Silk Road. In Japan, it is called kirigami, and in Germany, papel picado is called scherenschnitte. Eventually, the art traveled to Spain, where many picked up the techniques. When Spain conquered present day Mexico, they brought the technique and the Mexicans eventually began to make it themselves.

• Folk Vine: Global paper cutting traditions.
• Latino Perspectives: Explanation of papel picado and its use in other parts of the world.
• Paper Cutting Traditions: Devoted to practice of the craft around the world.

Papel Picado for Beginners

Papel picado is a fun art that can be done with a little practice and imagination. A simple way to make a paper cutting is to take a sheet of paper and fold it in half. Fold the paper in half again. The piece can be folded as many times over depending on how intricate the desired design. Using a pair of scissors, cut the corners and cut shapes out of the paper. Once all the shapes have been cut, unfold the paper and display. Paper can be any color or size; it can be tissue paper or regular. Papel picado is a beautiful art requiring much skill and representing a form of beauty for the Mexican people that can be enjoyed everywhere.

• Papel Picado Piece: Basic instructions about how to make a cut paper piece.
• National Museum of Mexican Art: Guide to paper cutting activity.
• Arthouse Activity: How to make a simple papel picado piece.