Golden Threads of Time

About the work:
This 10.6 x 13 feet paper-cutting handcut by artist Voyo Woo, evokes a harmonious blend of tradition and festivity, paying homage to the cultural richness of Lunar New Year celebrations in Asian communities. Dominated by a vibrant red background symbolizing good fortune and joy, the scene showcases finely detailed figures in traditional attire, immersed in music, dance, and communal celebration. Golden accents outline the elaborate architecture, blooming flowers, and the dynamic presence of a mythical snake, a nod to the Zodiac and folklore. The piece resonates with themes of renewal, prosperity, and unity, capturing the spirit of Lunar New Year while bridging ancient traditions with modern interpretations embraced by diasporic communities worldwide.















Lunar New Year
Lunar New Year is one of the most significant celebrations in Asian cultures, marking the beginning of the lunar calendar. Rooted in ancient traditions, it is a time to honor ancestors, celebrate family unity, and usher in a year of prosperity, health, and good fortune. The festival typically spans 15 days, with rituals varying across countries and communities. Central to the celebration are themes of renewal and hope, symbolized by customs like cleaning the house to sweep away bad luck, decorating with red for good fortune, and giving red envelopes (hongbao) filled with money to bless others with prosperity. Special foods, such as dumplings and rice cakes, carry symbolic meanings of wealth and longevity. Lion dances, fireworks, and the lighting of lanterns add to the festive atmosphere. For Asian communities worldwide, Lunar New Year has become a way to preserve cultural heritage and connect across generations. It fosters a sense of belonging and identity, serving as a reminder of shared traditions in multicultural settings. In its modern form, it is not only a family-centric holiday but also a celebration of diversity, as it is embraced by people of different backgrounds who join in the festivities, honoring the rich cultural tapestry it represents.
Traditional Attire
Traditional Asian attire for Lunar New Year includes hanbok(Korea), ao dai(Vietnam), baju kurung(Malaysia), deel(inner/mongolia), cheongsam(Singapore and China), chut thai ruean ton(Thailand), and Kimono(Japan). These garments are often vibrant in color and feature intricate patterns.
Lion Dance
The lion dance is a traditional Chinese performance that symbolizes good fortune and prosperity during Lunar New Year. It is also performed at other festivals, weddings, and business openings. The lion dance is meant to protect against bad luck and evil spirits. Two dancers operate the lion costume, one controlling the head and the other the tail. The dance is accompanied by drums, cymbals, and gongs.
Snake
2025 is the Year of the Snake according to the Chinese zodiac. The Year of the Snake began on January 29, 2025, the first day of the Lunar New Year. The Chinese zodiac is based on a 12-year cycle, with each year represented by an animal from Chinese mythology. The snake is the sixth animal in the 12-year cycle. People born in the Year of the Snake are said to be intelligent, wise, and enigmatic.
Lantern
Lanterns during the Chinese Lantern Festival symbolize the start of spring, the end of the Lunar New Year, and the hope for the new year. The significance of Lanterns include: 1. Letting go of the past: Lanterns symbolize the end of the past year and the start of a new one. 2. Welcoming good fortune: Lanterns symbolize the hope for good fortune and prosperity in the new year. 3. Driving out darkness: Lanterns symbolize the hope of driving out darkness and bringing light to the new year. 4. Family unity: Lanterns symbolize the unity of the family. 5. Reconciliation: Lanterns symbolize reconciliation with your past self.
Korean Drum
Korean drums are often used during Lunar New Year, also known as Seollal, to celebrate the holiday. Some Korean drums used during Lunar New Year include the sogo drum, the pellet drum, the janggo, and the nodo. Hwre in this artwork you can find a Janggo style Korean drum, An hourglass-shaped drum with two heads that is a representative drum in traditional Korean music. The pitch of the janggo can be changed by adjusting the connecting ropes and belts. The janggo can be played while seated or carried across the body with a sling.
Lunar New Year Fair
The Lunar New Year Fair (Chinese: 年宵市場), also known as the flower market (Chinese: 花市), is a type of fair held annually a few days before Lunar New Year in Chinese New Year markets in China. These fairs are primarily practiced by the Cantonese, and spread with Cantonese immigration.The Lunar New Year Fair's history can be traced back to the Wanli Emperor(reigning from 1572 to 1620) age of the Ming Dynasty. By this time, peasants sold flowers in markets south of the Pearl River. These ancient flower markets were held every day at no fixed location. In the 1860s, the flower markets began to be held only during Lunar New Year's Eve. A particularly big fair was held in 1919. Shortly after the People's Republic of China was founded in 1949, many Cantonese people immigrated to Hong Kong from Guangzhou and other Pearl River Delta areas, taking the market tradition with them. It later spread overseas.
Title with Stamp
In the early 1990s, the world renowned contemporary artist Xu Bing began to develop a system for writing English called “square word calligraphy,” which organizes the letters of each English word into structures that resemble Chinese characters. One consequence of his project is that non-Chinese speakers can understand how Chinese characters are similarly composed of discrete phonetic and lexigraphic components. Here the title should be read from right to left, with each “Square word” corresponding to ”Happy Lunar New Year”.