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Burning Paper Gadgets as a Tribute to the Dead

by Matt Evans on August 26, 2010 at 07:44 AM

Amongst a sea of corporate retailers in Hong Kong, craftsman Au Yeung Ping Chi has found a niche market for his gadgets: mourning families. Admittedly, his products aren't meant for vigorous use, as they are made entirely out of paper and only meant to dissolve into ashes.

At the Bo Wah Effigies Shop, Au Yeung crafts paper effigies that are custom-made to fit orders put in by bereaved families. Nearly 10 years ago, after graduating from design school, he started working at the shop, helping his father make paper replications of prized possessions (e.g., jewelry, cars, pets) from 70-year-old designs. Eventually, he began making effigies that replicated popular, modern-day merchandise, such as designer handbags and video game consoles. Since burning paper objects is a traditional Chinese way of honoring the dead, Au Yeung often finds himself replicating gadgets, such as digital cameras and Nintendo DS and Wii consoles, in the memories of young people.

Tags: Asia, china, design, Effigies, gadgets, Gravesite, Hong Kong, HongKong, honoring-the-deceased, models, Papercraft, top

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