7th Grade Wycinanki (Polish Paper Cutting)
Polish Paper Cutting or Wycinanki
Wycinanki (Vee-chee-nahn-key) designs were used to decorate the freshly white washed walls of farmer's homes in the spring in preparation for Easter. Wycinanki is a traditional Polish folk art. These folk paper cutouts were used in the 1800's by Polish peasants to decorate their houses. They usually hung these decorations on white walls and along ceiling beams to make the house more cheery. The cutouts are symmetrical with nature designs and geometric shapes (and lots of roosters). They are also used for occasions such as Christmas (maybe a symmetrical Christmas tree shape) and Easter. They are also sometimes layered (different colored cutouts placed one on top of another) to make a more intricate design.
