Stencil: Design

ART APPRECIATION AND GRAPHICS
ASSIGNMENT 1
stencil
DESIGN
-TRIPTI GOYAL
2A
Introduction
Stencil is usually a thin sheet of material, such as paper, plastic,
wood or metal, with letters or a design cut from it, used to produce
the letters or design on an underlying surface by applying pigment
through the cut-out holes in the material.
Stenciling, in the visual arts, a technique for reproducing designs

by passing ink or paint over holes cut in cardboard or metal onto
the surface to be decorated.
History
The oldest-known stencil was found in Spain. It is a hand stencil that is
more than 66,000 years old. At that time, the paint was blown over the
hand to leave a handprint on the wall. In 2000 B.C., the Egyptians used
leather stencils for the first time, mainly for decorative purposes.
The Chinese pioneered the creation of a paper stencil around 105 A.D.
Soon after, they applied this practice to much more delicate surfaces like
silks. Much later, in medieval Europe, stencils were used to more easily
decorate church walls.
In addition, stencils spurred the mass production of manuscripts, playing
cards, and illustrations for books, fabrics, and wallpaper.
This technique allows us to save a great deal of time. It is possibly this
reason why it is also very common in the world of street art.
MY INSPIRATION:
Lost culture of India
ASSAM
About
Assam, state of India. It is located in the northeastern part of the country
and is bounded to the north by the kingdom of Bhutan and the state of
Arunachal Pradesh, to the east by the states of Nagaland and Manipur, to
the south by the states of Mizoram and Tripura, and to the west by
Bangladesh and the states of Meghalaya and West Bengal.
The name Assam is derived from the word asama, meaning “peerless” in
the now extinct Ahom language.
The neighboring states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and

Meghalaya were once part of Assam.
Culture
Assam is the meeting ground of diverse cultures. The people of the
enchanting state of Assam are an intermixture of various racial stocks such
as Mongoloid, Indo-Burmese, Indo-Iranian and Aryan.
The Assamese culture is a rich and exotic tapestry of all these races evolved
through a long assimilative process. The natives of the state of Assam are
known as "Asomiya" (Assamese), which is also the state language of Assam.
The state has a large number of tribes, each unique in its tradition, culture,
dress and exotic way of life.
The quintessential symbols are the Asomiya"Gamucha", "Jaapi",

"TamulPaan" and "Xorai". Traditional attire worn by women called the
"Mekhela Chador" and Assamese jewellery also form an integral part of the
Assamese culture.
GAMUCHA
The "Gamucha" is one of the most easily recognizable
cultural symbols of the Assamese people and is an
integral part of almost all socio-religious ceremonies.
It is considered as an honorary piece of cloth
commonly used for felicitation in Assam.
The "Gamucha", a white rectangular piece of cotton

hand woven cloth with primarily a red border on three
sides and red woven motifs on the fourth (in addition
to red, other colors are also used) is put to many uses.
It is used as a towel, as a waistcloth or a loincloth; a
Bihu dancer wraps it around the head in a knot, it is
also hung around the neck at the prayer hall and
thrown over the shoulder to signify social status or
respect. "Gamucha"s", also known as "Bihuwaans", are
offered during Bihu as a token of love. Significantly the
"Gamucha" is used equally by all, irrespective of
religious and ethnic backgrounds.
TAMUL PAAN
"Tamul Paan" (the areca nut and betel leaves) or
Guapan are considered as the offers of devotion,
respect and friendship.
Guests are offered "Tamul Paan" in a traditional bell

metal serving "Bota" as a mark of honour. Chewing
"Tamul Paan" gives a kind of high and feel good factor.
"Tamul Paan" is integral part of all social and religious
ceremonies of the Assamese people. It is an ancient
tradition and is being followed since time-
immemorial.
JAAPI
The "Jaapi" is a traditional conical hat from Assam
which is made from tightly woven bamboo and/or
cane and "Tokoupaat", a type of large palm leaf. The
word "Jaapi" derives from Jaap meaning a bundle
Tokou leaves.
"Jaapi" is worn in a style of Bihu dance, used as

protection against the elements, offered as a sign of
respect in ceremonies, and placed as a decorative
item around the house, especially near the front door
as a welcome sign. Plain "Jaapi" were used by farmers
for protection from the sun and rain while working in
the fields, while ornate "Jaapi" were worn as a status
symbol by Assamese royalty and nobility.
XORAI
"Xorai" a traditional symbol of Assam, is a
manufactured bell-metal product and is considered
as an article of great respect by the people of Assam.
There are "Xorai"s" with or without a cover on the top.
Hajo and Sarthebari are the most important centers of
traditional bell-metal and brass crafts in Assam.
Xorai's are used to offer "Tamul Paan" as a sign of

welcome and thanks for guests. It is also used as a
utensil to offer Prasad, food and other items in front of
the Lord in an altar or "Naamghar". "Xorai's" are also
used as decorative pieces and are also offered as a
gift to a person of honors during felicitations.
"
MEKHELA CHADOR

Traditional Mekhela Chadors are made from Cotton,

Muga, Paat Silk or Eri Silk. However, now a day"s some
modern low-budget Mekhela Chadors are also made
with varying blends of Cotton and Muga or Paat Silk
with synthetic materials.
Mekhela Chador is an indigenous traditional

Assamese dress worn by women. There are two main
pieces of cloth that are draped around the body. The
bottom portion, draped from the waist downwards is
called the Mekhela. It is in the form of a very wide
cylinder that is folded into pleats to fit around the
waist and tucked in.
BIHU

Bihu is the most popular folk dance of Assam. Bihu

dances are performed by young boys and girls during
the Bihu festivities which represent youthful passion,
reproductive urge and joy. It is characterized by brisk
dance steps and rapid hand movement. Dancers
wear traditional colourful Assamese clothing.
The dances are accompanied by musical instruments

like "Dhol" (Dholak), pepa, gogana, banhi(flute) etc.
Though the origin of the Bihu dance is unknown, the
first official endorsement is cited to be when Ahom
king Rudra Singha invited Bihu dancers to perform at
the Ranghar fields sometime around 1694 on the
occasion of Rongali Bihu.
form
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ART APPRECIATION AND GRAPHICS

Stenciling, in the visual arts, a technique for reproducing designs

The neighboring states of Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and

The quintessential symbols are the Asomiya"Gamucha", "Jaapi",

The "Gamucha", a white rectangular piece of cotton

Guests are offered "Tamul Paan" in a traditional bell

"Jaapi" is worn in a style of Bihu dance, used as

Xorai's are used to offer "Tamul Paan" as a sign of

Traditional Mekhela Chadors are made from Cotton,

Mekhela Chador is an indigenous traditional

Bihu is the most popular folk dance of Assam. Bihu

The dances are accompanied by musical instruments

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