Papercutting At Hostfest | Video

Jenny Castro | 9/29/2012

Papercutting has been a Danish folk art dating back to the 1600s. Artist and master papercutter, Rick Marzullo, is making his first appearance at the Hostfest and is sharing what`s kept him interested in the art form for over 40 years.

For Marzullo, papercutting caught his attention at seven when he had his shadow cut at Disneyland, and now 45 years later, it`s his specialty.

"Papercutting has been around for so long, everybody has seen silhouettes, everybody has cut a snowflake, but probably not to this, this is snowflakes on steroids.”

Using a fine pair of surgical scissors from Switzerland, Marzullo is able to cut these detailed portraits. And the images aren`t traced either, he does that as he goes.

"Everything`s different, everything`s new, even though there might be similar things that I have, everything`s different so it`s always fresh when I`m doing it.”

Depending on the project it takes Marzullo anywhere from thirty minutes to 600 hours to finish a piece. Here at the Hostfest, most are afraid to disturb him, but he says he prefers to chat a little while he works.

"Most people stand there and they`re like I don`t want to say anything, he might cut himself or cut something off, no please talk because I enjoy talking and giving you the history of papercutting and different tips.”

There were never any classes in papercutting for Marzullo, it was all self-taught, practice, practice, practice, he says. All you need is a pair or scissors and a piece of paper.

Marzullo lives in California where he has done Scandinavian festivals on the west coast, but he says the Hostfest is the biggest festival he`s been in.

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