Shadow comes with light, just as a piece of paper has two sides. In a sunny day, look back and hail your shadow; turn yourself around and see the shadows of houses and trees. Or you can dance, and see how your shadow dances with you. Two thousand years ago, during the Western Han dynasty, a conjuror studied the quality of shadows, used a lamp to project silhouette of a deceased consort on a white cloth screen, and gave solace to an emperor in grief. It is generally believed that this is the first shadow play in Chinese history.

　This exhibition is organized by the National Museum of History and the Cultural Affairs Bureau, Kaohsiung County Government. The exhibits include leather figures, paper figures, papercutting, hand shadows, films and digital leather figures. Leather figures come from the Museum and the Shadow Play Museum of Cultural Bureau of Kaohsiung County. Paper figures are from Department of Fine Arts of Tunghai University .Some specimens of papercutting are from Mr. Li Huan-zhang, winner of The Global Chinese Culture & Arts Award in 1991. Digital leather figures are from Shu-te University.

　The art of shadow play begins with the play instinct of mankind, takes on entertaining functions or even religious sentiments, develops the vicissitudes of light and shade, and finally becomes part of human life. Leather figures, paper figures, and papercutting are all folk handicrafts that evolve for thousand years in China. They represent aspects of humility and purity in daily life and the need for auspiciousness. We hope visitors will not only enjoy this art made of light, shadow, and figures but also regain the play instinct in their daily lives.