Mission impossible: Be prepared to see the giant Pigsy installation!
By Ivy Jiahui Huang, January 28, 2019
“50,000 red envelops?” I couldn’t believe what I heard.
But the six huge boxes in the corner confirmed Zilan’s word. She does aim to create an art installation using the paper folding of 50,000 red envelops. Zilan, the leader of the Pagoda Art Centre, came up with this “lucky pigsy challenge” to celebrate the coming Chinese New Year.
Every year, National Museums Liverpool hold special events during the Chinese New Year. This year is no exception. 2019 is the year of the Pig based on the Chinese zodiac cycle. (You can calculate your Chinese zodiac sign here.) We are so excited to work with Pagoda Art Centre to exhibit the giant Pigsy installation.
The Pigsy installation will be on display from 1 February-28 February at the Museum of Liverpool. It’s a 3D installation which used the paper folding of red envelopes created by different people around Liverpool. According to Zilan, they collaborated with various organizations such as primary school, police station, fire and rescue service, and so on. In this case, people all over Liverpool can see their works in the final art installation.
To be honest, when I first heard they aimed at 50,000 red envelopes, I didn’t believe they can finish it. So did the majority of volunteers in Pagoda Art Centre. “I don’t think we can achieve it, 50,000 is too much,” said Joshua, a volunteer to teach the paper folding. But after going several workshops with Zilan, I began to believe it and genuinely hope they can achieve it. Actually, as for me, it is not only the number but also the experience that people spent time with their friends and created something should be treasured.
I took part in the workshop they held in the Winter Art Market on December 1 at the Liverpool Cathedral. It was such an amazing experience that it reminded me of my childhood when I spent time with my friends on paper folding rather than smartphones. How simple the happiness could be when we were little kids! Indeed, the workshop attracted quite a lot of children.
Kelly, the officer of Pagoda Art Centre, taught us how to use envelop to make animals like fish, pig, dog, etc. At first, learning how to make fish is quite easy but then making pig became challenging. However, it’s great to have fun with my friends. Other participants were happy too. Lily, 8 years old, walked past and was attracted to this activity. Most of the kids just learnt to make one or two animals and left. Lily was really enjoying it and stayed there for almost an hour. Richard brought his son to this event and said: “I’m sure we will go to see the art installation because we are involved.”
Not only did children enjoy it, but the elders also made contributions. Some elder people gathered at the Pagoda Art Centre and did the paper folding every Saturday. I think the best part of this project is that everyone involved, no matter how old you are, what job you do.
Also, I like the idea of recycling. The red envelope is a Chinese tradition that parents gave their children lucky money in the red envelopes. However, children take the money out and the red envelopes become trash. With this art project, the red envelops can be recycled and it raises awareness of protecting our environment.
The final art installation is designed by Barbara Disney, an artist from Bristol. Zilan and she has been friends for almost twenty years and they produced art projects before. This year, she uses the idea of “Pigsy” to celebrate the year of Pig. Pigsy is a major character of the novel Journey to the West, which is very popular among Chinese kids. How will Barbara use the paper folding to create a 3D art installation? Are you curious about the final outcome? Do you want to find the one you made? Come and see the exhibition in the atrium at the Museum of Liverpool!
Are you getting interested in paper folding? Would you like to spend some time with your friends or family? Go to the Origami workshop on 2 February at the education area 2 in the Museum of Liverpool! No need to book. Take your child, and create your artwork together!
Jiahui Ivy Huang 