A Study on Productive Preservation and Design Innovation of Taoyuan Wood Carving

Taoyuan wood carving—a gem among intangible cultural heritages in Hunan Province—is deeply important to the region’s folk culture. However, it is one of the folk arts that faces an urgent risk of extinction due to a sharp decline in sales, lack of a new generation of “Taoyuan artisans,” and a decline in teaching skills to younger generations. Once it is lost, we will not be able to revive it. Hence, its study should facilitate its revitalization through social innovations and assist its adaptation to contemporary society, as well as integration into modern life. This article adopts the perspective of “productive preservation” in the study of Taoyuan wood carving, building a Taoyuan wood carving intangible cultural heritage knowledge platform through social innovation to digitalize and preserve intangible cultural heritage resources while also helping Taoyuan wood carving continue to shine in the modern commercial environment as a form of art by commercializing its achievements.