In Truc chi, paper is not just a material but a work of art.
Miss Thien An brought a Truc Chi painting to Miss Grand International
Since 2012, within the flow of Vietnam’s fine arts, a new type of paper-art was defined by writer and translator Buu Y, who coined the term “truc chi’ (truc: bamboo, chi: paper). According to Buu Y, since bamboo is a cultural and spiritual symbol of Vietnam, truc chi refers to a new type of Vietnamese paper art that is not merely bamboo paper. Truc chi can be made from many types of natural fibers, including those from straw, bamboo, sugarcane, banana, water ferns, corn, pineapple, berries, leaves, grass, etc.
Truc chi was created with the core concept of “Giving “paper” the ability to escape its status as a “background” to become an independent work”.
The technical term “trucchigraphy” refers to the following: the process of making traditional handicraft paper; the technique of applying water pressure (quite common in some countries); andthe principles of graphic arts. The process of making truc chi consists of two main stages. The first is the traditional paper-making process. The raw materials are soaked, boiled with lime, ground, and pounded into pulp, then spread evenly on a mold. The next stage is the truc chi process. The artist uses a hose to spray water onto the wet sheet of paper to change the fibers’ structure, creating different levels of thickness. In this way, images are formed. This process is repeated several times based on principles of etching and serigraphy-printing techniques to create sophisticated shades of varied hues and intensity. The artist can also use the water hose as a “paint brush” to sketch on the wet paper sheet and create special effects. Using jets of water to create graphic arts on paper forms the core idea of truc chi art.
Trucchi can completely be a work of art in itself with bold graphic language; On the other hand, Trucchi is also ready to “dialogue” with the shaping signals placed on top of it.
Truc chi allows for rich and complex means of expression. Subtle differences in thickness yield different effects, especially when interacting with light. The effects on the surface depend on the light source. With front lighting, thick parts appear bright in the shade while thinner parts appear darker. Backlighting yields the oppo ite effect: thicker parts will be darker whereas thinner parts will appear lighter. This flexibility attracts and inspires both audiences and artists.
Besides, Truc Chi also fully meets the diverse and special requirements of applied arts in various types such as product design, interior and exterior, costumes, fashion, jewelry…
Truc chi can be a work of art in itself with a strong graphic language. On the other hand, truc chi is always ready to communicate with visual cues placed directly upon it. In addition, Truc chi can meet the diverse and special requirements of applied arts like product design, interior and exterior design, fashion, and jewelry design. In particular, it can be applied to traditional handicrafts to create unique products.
