Understanding the embodiment of a natural material and its prowess to be transformed into another useful material by hand is a lesson in daily life, industry, art, and science. Recognizing that the endurance of hand papermaking is also a hybrid of so many complex parts—which dedicated communities have worked to sustain its legacy and usefulness into other parts of China, and other parts of the world—provides valuable insights for the contemporary hand papermaker. Many have said that in our times we are progressively losing our ability to remember, because of electronic memory devices that have taken over that function. The instant recall of ideas from the past by our ubiquitous digital machines does pose a problem. The "waning of time" ceases to exist. I believe that time is a pure contributor to an end fulfillment, especially as we live in an age where we see a rapid dissolution of indigenous cultural products. Historic time-based traditions that are deeply embedded, such as in Sichuan, China, and that identify regional differences in various cultural environments, may provide a buffer to the dissolution of these treasured products. Social theorist Hannah Arendt designates three fundamental human activities: labor, work, and action. About labor she states that it is the activity that corresponds to the biological process of the human body, whose that corresponds to the biological process of the human body, whose spontaneous growth, metabolism, and eventual decay are bound to the vital necessities produced and fed into the life process by labor. spontaneous growth, metabolism, and eventual decay are bound to the vital necessities produced and fed into the life process by labor. The human condition of labor is life itself. For example the labor The human condition of labor is life itself. For example the labor we experience as paper artists and papermakers is truly related to we experience as paper artists and papermakers is truly related to our touch, seeing, and feeling, all part of creativity. Such activity our touch, seeing, and feeling, all part of creativity. Such activity requires sustainable time to develop. requires sustainable time to develop. Growing up in a small town near my grandfather's farmland, Growing up in a small town near my grandfather's farmland, I was exposed from childhood to the cycles of growing and harvesting. I was exposed from childhood to the cycles of growing and harvesting. Lately this has led me to ponder what is an indigenous Lately this has led me to ponder what is an indigenous vocabulary and how does it develop from a cultural experience in vocabulary and how does it develop from a cultural experience in which living organisms play a part? How does hand papermaking which living organisms play a part? How does hand papermaking provide an intersection of cultural values? provide an intersection of cultural values? These questions have led me to investigate the potentials of collective These questions have led me to investigate the potentials of collective memory at sites of hand-driven production in an attempt memory at sites of hand-driven production in an attempt to discern how these memories shape cultural bridging for indigenous to discern how these memories shape cultural bridging for indigenous peoples as well as foreigners and outsiders to their regions. peoples as well as foreigners and outsiders to their regions. Particularly with global eco-systemic decline, what skills are most Particularly with global eco-systemic decline, what skills are most valuable for artists and artisans and their communities? Exploring valuable for artists and artisans and their communities? Exploring life and ingenuity of indigenous populations in regards to hand life and ingenuity of indigenous populations in regards to hand industries and ecologies, the question also arises, what can best industries and ecologies, the question also arises, what can best support them? Who can best carry on their traditions? support them? Who can best carry on their traditions? To learn more about this inquiry and zao zhi (papermaking, in To learn more about this inquiry and zao zhi (papermaking, in Chinese), I was fortunate to speak with Jacob Eyferth, University of Chinese), I was fortunate to speak with Jacob Eyferth, University of Chicago professor, and to read his book Eating Rice for Bamboo Roots Chicago professor, and to read his book Eating Rice for Bamboo Roots in which he defines "embodied" skills and an "embedded" society in which he defines "embodied" skills and an "embedded" society and their affect on economic development. Eyferth's book charts and their affect on economic development. Eyferth's book charts the vicissitudes of a rural community of papermakers in Sichuan. the vicissitudes of a rural community of papermakers in Sichuan. In summary he states, "[T]he process of transforming bamboo into In summary he states, "\[T\]he process of transforming bamboo into paper involves production-related and social skills, as well as the everyday paper involves production-related and social skills, as well as the everyday skills that allowed these papermakers to survive in an era of skills that allowed these papermakers to survive in an era of tumultuous change." The Chinese Revolution—understood as a series tumultuous change." The Chinese Revolution—understood as a series of interconnected political, social, and technological transforma tions—was, Jacob Eyferth argues, as much about the redistribution of interconnected political, social, and technological transforma tions—was, Jacob Eyferth argues, as much about the redistribution of skill, knowledge, and technical control as it was about the redistribution of skill, knowledge, and technical control as it was about the redistribution of land and political power. of land and political power. Eyferth's book traces the changes in the distribution of knowledge Eyferth's book traces the changes in the distribution of knowledge that led to a massive transfer of technical control from villages that led to a massive transfer of technical control from villages to cities, from primary producers to managerial elites, and from to cities, from primary producers to managerial elites, and from women to men. It asks how a vision of rural people as unskilled has women to men. It asks how a vision of rural people as unskilled has affected their place in the body politic and contributed to their disenfranchisement. affected their place in the body politic and contributed to their disenfranchisement. By viewing skill as a contested resource, subject By viewing skill as a contested resource, subject to distribution struggles, it addresses the issue of how revolution to distribution struggles, it addresses the issue of how revolution and marketization have changed rural China. and marketization have changed rural China. Most importantly the book's premises compare the value of Most importantly the book's premises compare the value of experiential skills to that of written information. Eyferth explores experiential skills to that of written information. Eyferth explores what happens to small communities who lose their command of what happens to small communities who lose their command of their processes such as papermaking. their processes such as papermaking. The first part of my visit was to Jiajiang County, Sichuan Province— The first part of my visit was to Jiajiang County, Sichuan Province— the same area visited many time by Eyferth—to see a family the same area visited many time by Eyferth—to see a family papermill near the village of Ma or "horse" village. The family papermill near the village of Ma or "horse" village. The family name of the papermakers is Zhanhao Yang, (the father's name), name of the papermakers is Zhanhao Yang, (the father's name), and the paper company name is Zhuang Yuan. In this area the soil and the paper company name is Zhuang Yuan. In this area the soil is red and there is little agricultural product except bamboo. The is red and there is little agricultural product except bamboo. The bamboo and native grasses produce an especially white, soft handmade bamboo and native grasses produce an especially white, soft handmade paper that is fine and smooth, easily absorbs and retains ink, paper that is fine and smooth, easily absorbs and retains ink, and is used for calligraphy and painting. and is used for calligraphy and painting. The technical knowledge of every step of the papermaking process The technical knowledge of every step of the papermaking process has passed through twelve generations in the Zhuang Yuan has passed through twelve generations in the Zhuang Yuan mill. Long-held skills include knowing exactly how and when to mill. Long-held skills include knowing exactly how and when to harvest the bamboo (generally in May or June); how long to soak harvest the bamboo (generally in May or June); how long to soak (ferment) the bamboo in outdoor troughs (around two months); (ferment) the bamboo in outdoor troughs (around two months); how to steam the fiber at a low temperature with lime (which takes how to steam the fiber at a low temperature with lime (which takes about two to five days to complete); and how to rinse and do a sec- ond steaming with caustic soda (which in the past they did with about two to five days to complete); and how to rinse and do a sec- ond steaming with caustic soda (which in the past they did with wood ash). After a compressed fermentation for about two weeks, wood ash). After a compressed fermentation for about two weeks, the papermaker pulps the fiber using a foot-operated device that the papermaker pulps the fiber using a foot-operated device that involves a lever and stone cavity. The fiber is then bleached, and involves a lever and stone cavity. The fiber is then bleached, and formed into sheets by two men working at the vat. After pressing, formed into sheets by two men working at the vat. After pressing, the sheets are separated by a woman who brushes then onto limestone the sheets are separated by a woman who brushes then onto limestone walls in spurs of ten sheets. Over several days the spurs dry, walls in spurs of ten sheets. Over several days the spurs dry, and are taken down from the walls and parted. Then the sheets and are taken down from the walls and parted. Then the sheets are curated and packaged. About 500 to 700 sheets are pulled a are curated and packaged. About 500 to 700 sheets are pulled a day (one sheet a minute for the length of a 10-hour work day; each day (one sheet a minute for the length of a 10-hour work day; each sheet having a water weight of 25 pounds). sheet having a water weight of 25 pounds). Eyferth describes, and I witnessed, the embodied skills that are Eyferth describes, and I witnessed, the embodied skills that are sensory in nature. Papermakers use their sense of smell and taste sensory in nature. Papermakers use their sense of smell and taste of pulp; they listen for the sound of pressing to know when it is just of pulp; they listen for the sound of pressing to know when it is just right; and they can quantify, without the use of scales, the exact ratio right; and they can quantify, without the use of scales, the exact ratio of fiber to cooking agent to the temperature and length of cooking of fiber to cooking agent to the temperature and length of cooking time in order to achieve a suitable pulp. This knowledge is based time in order to achieve a suitable pulp. This knowledge is based on experiential learning from generation to generation. While the on experiential learning from generation to generation. While the mechanics of the papermaking process can be re-produced, the mechanics of the papermaking process can be re-produced, the nuances at each step require a set of detailed, knowledgeable decisions nuances at each step require a set of detailed, knowledgeable decisions that do not lend themselves well to written instructions. In that do not lend themselves well to written instructions. In addition, these skills are not proprietary, but shared. The activity of addition, these skills are not proprietary, but shared. The activity of papermaking is communal, and in Sichuan's papermaking region, papermaking is communal, and in Sichuan's papermaking region, the nucleus of reciprocity endures. the nucleus of reciprocity endures. Papermakers possess a single surname so that a compact group Papermakers possess a single surname so that a compact group of relatives and neighbors are core professionals who "all in the of relatives and neighbors are core professionals who "all in the family" share knowledge of hand papermaking. The families acknowledge family" share knowledge of hand papermaking. The families acknowledge and embrace their obligation to pass down a centuries old and embrace their obligation to pass down a centuries old legacy. Eyferth's book states that between 1930 and 1950 papermakers legacy. Eyferth's book states that between 1930 and 1950 papermakers were born into, or married into work and skills that were were born into, or married into work and skills that were naturally regulated by membership and entitlement. Eyferth cites 1650 as the earliest emergence of papermaking in naturally regulated by membership and entitlement. Eyferth cites 1650 as the earliest emergence of papermaking in the Jiajiang area. In 1930s and 40s papermaking reached a peak the Jiajiang area. In 1930s and 40s papermaking reached a peak and there were about 60,000 papermakers. In 1949 the Socialist and there were about 60,000 papermakers. In 1949 the Socialist Revolution took place and the paper industry contracted. In 1959– Revolution took place and the paper industry contracted. In 1959– 61 the Great Famine took over 25 million people throughout the 61 the Great Famine took over 25 million people throughout the countryside. In the 1980s a recovery of papermills blossomed and countryside. In the 1980s a recovery of papermills blossomed and papers were produced for calligraphy and woodcut. Today, modern papers were produced for calligraphy and woodcut. Today, modern industry demands that scientific knowledge be expressed in the industry demands that scientific knowledge be expressed in the written word. Embodied knowledge is viewed as an obstruction written word. Embodied knowledge is viewed as an obstruction to economic development, and thus, communities that hold skills to economic development, and thus, communities that hold skills and knowledge, like the Jaijiang papermakers, were pushed aside, and knowledge, like the Jaijiang papermakers, were pushed aside, but some have survived. but some have survived. My second visit was to the ANHUI (Shenden) Papermill where My second visit was to the ANHUI (Shenden) Papermill where qing tan (Pteroceltis tatarinowii Maxim, or blue sandalwood) is qing tan (Pteroceltis tatarinowii Maxim, or blue sandalwood) is employed. I was gifted packs of large-size Anhui paper and have employed. I was gifted packs of large-size Anhui paper and have found the paper's strength, luster, and absorption useful in printing found the paper's strength, luster, and absorption useful in printing woodcuts and etchings. In Anhui, a fountain spring river flows woodcuts and etchings. In Anhui, a fountain spring river flows from different hills and different soils. Fibers are laid on the soil from different hills and different soils. Fibers are laid on the soil in the sun for eight to ten months. It is believed that a yin/yang in the sun for eight to ten months. It is believed that a yin/yang combination of sun, moon, and dew produces valuable papers in combination of sun, moon, and dew produces valuable papers in this area. By leaving the fibers out to the elements, the dew acts as this area. By leaving the fibers out to the elements, the dew acts as a buffering agent. This attention to natural and traditional hand a buffering agent. This attention to natural and traditional hand processes was demonstrated at the paper museum. There we witnessed processes was demonstrated at the paper museum. There we witnessed the varied steps of the process that were similar to those the varied steps of the process that were similar to those we saw at Jaijiang. I suspect that this embodied knowledge is not we saw at Jaijiang. I suspect that this embodied knowledge is not reflected at the industrial papermaking factory that was down the reflected at the industrial papermaking factory that was down the street from the museum. street from the museum. A major question that I continue to investigate in my research A major question that I continue to investigate in my research and in my art practice is how productive collaboration across cultures and in my art practice is how productive collaboration across cultures and increased cultural literacy can benefit us as cultural and increased cultural literacy can benefit us as cultural workers and global citizens. I believe that the flattening effect of workers and global citizens. I believe that the flattening effect of innovative technology in our century can be counterbalanced by innovative technology in our century can be counterbalanced by our work to understand, create statements about, and protect indigenous our work to understand, create statements about, and protect indigenous cultural literacy. cultural literacy. Traceries of these concerns are found in my own art, in which Traceries of these concerns are found in my own art, in which I strive to leave evidence in the realms of witnessing and transformative I strive to leave evidence in the realms of witnessing and transformative interaction. In observing cultural and immigrant experiences interaction. In observing cultural and immigrant experiences that contain a living work experience, my studio practice that contain a living work experience, my studio practice celebrates, reflects, interacts, protects, and takes action within celebrates, reflects, interacts, protects, and takes action within group activities. I believe that an artist's practice cannot be separated group activities. I believe that an artist's practice cannot be separated from community information gathering. Spoken word and from community information gathering. Spoken word and collaborative hands-on experience guide my process. I continue collaborative hands-on experience guide my process. I continue to search for skillful practitioners in many cultures and to share to search for skillful practitioners in many cultures and to share the skills I have learned thus far. This seems to be the papermakers' the skills I have learned thus far. This seems to be the papermakers' way—to cooperate, exchange, and let knowledge travel. way—to cooperate, exchange, and let knowledge travel. A shared research process that blends expertise towards common A shared research process that blends expertise towards common goals reassures that an integrative process rather than a single goals reassures that an integrative process rather than a single outcome in art develops a valuable organization of concepts and outcome in art develops a valuable organization of concepts and gives the artist (and paper artist) a vital role in society. gives the artist (and paper artist) a vital role in society. Creativity is central to life. Life is enhanced by collaboration. Creativity is central to life. Life is enhanced by collaboration. Collaboration enables the formation of hybrids. Hybrid activities Collaboration enables the formation of hybrids. Hybrid activities manifest as synesthesia and transform into meaningful manifest as synesthesia and transform into meaningful conversations. Conversations birth new cultural literacy in conversations. Conversations birth new cultural literacy in community. Cultural literacy enables the making of objects community. Cultural literacy enables the making of objects and systems and eventually sustainable industries. Objects lead and systems and eventually sustainable industries. Objects lead to a larger context of phenomena. Phenomena live through to a larger context of phenomena. Phenomena live through consciousness. Consciousness promotes creative awareness. consciousness. Consciousness promotes creative awareness. Creative awareness is central to life. Creative awareness is central to life.

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