• Dimensions: 20×20″
  • Medium description: single sheet of cut acid-free paper mounted and raised 1″ above navy and gold paper
  • High resolution image

“Niulang and Zhinu at Great Bridge, Virginia” intertwines Eastern myth with Western engineering. Inspired by the Chinese story of Niulang and Zhinu—a mortal and a goddess separated by the Milky Way, reunited only once a year by a celestial bridge of birds—my artwork reimagines their love story in an American setting.

The landscape is based on the design of Virginia’s Great Bridge, a drawbridge designed with boat locks that keep saltwater and freshwater separated, protecting the Chesapeake Bay’s fish and waterfowl. The piece also takes inspiration from William Schuman’s “George Washington Bridge,” a wind band composition known for its inventive use of bitonality, and in which woodwinds and brass remain distinct, in line with the themes of separation and unity.

Schuman’s composition follows a symmetrical structure: A1, B1, C, B2, A2 – which he intended to “visually” resemble a bridge. I placed two measures from each of these segments accordingly on the topmost staves of the bridge.

As Great Bridge was the site of a key Revolutionary War battle in 1775, I portrayed the reunited couple playing drum and fife, a pair of instruments used to relay signals across the battlefield during the American Revolution. The music running beneath the bridge is “White Cockade,” a traditional fife-and-drum tune. 

Small portions of the original Great Bridge blueprints are included within the clockwork.

In the sky, and reflected in the water, are golden stars. They form the constellations Taurus (the Bull, representing the mythical talking cow which aided Niulang on his quest), Cygnus (the Swan, representing the birds who help reunite him with Zhinu), and Pisces (the Two Fish, representing duality.) The stars in each half total 49, as Niulang and Zhinu may only meet on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month.

This papercutting is meant to celebrate the enduring connections that bridge worlds— between lovers, waters, cultures, and musical harmonies.

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This papercutting is dedicated to Daniel Messarge, for his loving support of my art and music.

Additionally, I am grateful to the staff at the Chesapeake City Hall (especially Ms. Sharon Perkins for helping me locate the Great Bridge blueprints) and Mr. Robert Hitchings at the Chesapeake Central Library for their kind assistance in my research.

Photos by Michael Tang.