TOP > Episode2 Silhouette
Silhouette
Taz Burns cuts Takao Kawaguchi
About silhouettes
Almost every country, including Japan, has their own tradition of paper cutting. However the style of paper cutting introduced here, known as “silhouettes”, began around the 18th century in England. At the time it was the fastest and cheapest method of getting a portrait done, the only other real alternative being to sit for many hours for an oil painting. The most common method of creating a silhouette as shown in this episode, is to cut the side-profile of a person with no prior drawing, just paper and a pair of scissors in a few minutes. But it has been through many transformations; at times likened to magic, at other times to science, made sometimes with paint and at other times elaborate machines. They were especially popular in the 19th century, and people often had their silhouettes cut while on holiday at the beach, which they then sent on postcards or gave as gifts to loved ones.
With the invention of the camera in the 20th century, demand for silhouettes dwindled, and there are not many people who still cut them today. But a few artists still continue the art, sometimes self taught, sometimes picked up as a family tradition. These days they tend to work as entertainers at events, at theme parks, and sometimes still as street artists. Silhouettes still, it seems, have the ability to fascinate.
Taz Burns
Japanese name: Mai Honda. Born in London to British and Japanese parents. After studying ballet for 8 years she became mostly involved in theatre, and worked as an actor, producer and silhouette artist while living in England. After coming into contact with Butoh while doing a masters degree, she moved to Japan in 2016 to study with Yoshito Ohno. She currently works for Dance Archive Network, and continues her Butoh practice with Mitsuyo Uesugi.
http://www.tazburns.co.uk/
シルエット
切り絵 Taz Burns
出演 川口隆夫
撮影・編集 飯名尚人