The personalities of puppets

Exhibition explores traditional shadow images as it reinterprets art form, Li Yingxue reports. 

On a bright afternoon in Beijing, stepping into a traditional courtyard just east of the Forbidden City feels like entering another world. Beyond the weathered rock garden, a mesmerizing interplay of light and movement unfolds, blending centuries-old artistry with modern innovation.

In the courtyard's water feature, six mechanical red koi, inspired by intricate paper-cut designs, glide in fluid, circular motions from the depths to the surface. Titled Leaping, this dynamic art installation by Cui Xiaoqing captures the delicate grace of both traditional craftsmanship and kinetic art.