Paper cuttings have long fascinated viewers with their expressive storytelling and extraordinary precision. For the first time, Swiss paper cuttings from the Wyss Collection (Unterseen, Bern) are being juxtaposed with Chinese paper cuttings from the collection of the University Museum and Art Gallery, The University of Hong Kong, along with works from the Guangling Paper Cutting Art Museum and the Jieyiyuan Paper Cutting Art Center, Pingyao, both located in Shanxi province. The aim of the exhibition is to highlight the diversity and distinctive cultural identities of this fascinating art form. In 2009, Chinese paper cutting was added to UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. To highlight the significance of this craft spanning both cultures, two parallel exhibitions will be held in spring 2026, at the University Museum and Art Gallery and the Kunsthaus Interlaken (22 February–17 May 2026).
Swiss paper cuttings are primarily narrative works. From the mid-19th century onwards, they replaced the popular shadow pictures known as silhouettes, with a particular focus on Alpine life. Swiss paper cuttings function as condensed narrative microcosms, each distinguished by striking and subtle variations in their repertoire of figures, forms, and designs. Cut from black paper and arranged largely symmetrically, Swiss paper cuttings feature a wealth of ornamentation and an incredible density of detail that invites viewers to discover and linger. Thanks to the cooperation of the Wyss Collection this exhibition will feature works by pioneers such as Johann Jakob Hauswirth and Louis Saugy; traditional cuttings by David Regez and Christian Schwizgebel; and contemporary constructions from Ueli Hofer, Martha Kneusslin, Nelly Naef, Ernst Oppliger, Bruno Weber, and others.
Chinese paper cuttings differ from Swiss paper cuttings in their use of color and tendency to appear in series. Since red promises good luck, most Chinese paper cuttings are created from red paper and produced in sets. Packaged in small folders, they present variations on a subject or theme—tigers or peacocks, Beijing opera masks, views of pagoda towers, or the scenic beauty of a particular region. Another defining characteristic is their strong symbolism and iconography. For example, a pine tree in combination with a crane can symbolize longevity, representing wishes for health in old age and a lasting marriage. Chinese paper cuttings also tell stories, depicting scenes from well-known tales or presenting instructive narratives.
The exhibition begins with a historical overview of the development of paper cutting in Switzerland and China, then showcases the diversity of works through dialogical and thematic comparisons.
We invite you to discover and compare these magnificent works of cultural heritage from Switzerland and China.