QWhen I was at University I was ’ the course of technology of materials, with the prof. arch. Serena Omodeo. Up to here everything good… the last examination consisted of study material to be chosen from those developed during the course, my choice (and not just mine) was the paper. When I try to say, during the examination, that paper can be used for different uses including home pottery or external use I created a general panic… were raised plumes of war behind expressions of academic disgust and various bundles of wood were burned while most snaked motto “She is a witch… boding bad misfortune!”.
Ok, exaggerating… even if...… Maybe not exactly witch… exaggerating again, but I remember strange expressions. However, Korea uses for centuries a special paper modeling technique and apparently for a lot of little objects, from small household utensils, boxes and tins, to traditional korean wardrobe, baskets for linen and writing tables, almost a special kit for vintage brides.
The most widespread is that of jinseung which consists of two strips of paper waved to make them resistant as a rope and then style looping and implicating each piece to get the product that you want to. Ok but with passing time these products can be damaged? If you get wet? If they get wet nothing happens because before marketed pass a lot of steps of lacquering and are fixed with a paste made of rice and water. Once they become water-resistant are ready to use.
Aimee Lee is the reason for this post. She is a very nice character and actually is not so easy understand what her job consist, to begin she's a performer, plays the violin and she's interested in the special production of paper. If you search on the waved paper the result are her images very detailed on the process and technique jinseung, on her channels there is a real culture and there are also some videos made by Aimee, during her visit 2009, where she was guest of a Korean family historical paper producers.
Definitely recommend seeing the two videos that explain all the steps in the realization: from the plant to sheet of paper, it's really instructive. 1 and 2.
Aimee Lee's website: aimeelee.net, the blog, photos from flickr (from which I took those article) and the videos.
Truly the laboro de Aimee Lee is too important to ricoperare tradition of making paper. Also is a wonderful person. Search Auguiri!