Paper Junk – Botanical Garden, Montréal, Québec

The ancient art of Chinese lantern making began in the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.E. to 220 C.E.), a time of invention and science. Used originally for lighting, the lanterns evolved into an art form and became a significant part of festivals.

Originally the lanterns were constructed in various ways depending on their purpose. Palace lanterns were made silk or glass over fine wood. Gauze lanterns, the traditional red lantern recognized around the world, used red gauze stretched over bamboo. Shadow-picture lanterns used a paper wheel inside which turned when heated, creating moving pictures around the outside of the lantern. Today’s lanterns use modern materials and technology, adding colored bulbs, music and visual effects, along with imaginative shapes, to create entirely new experiences.