Above the Fold: New Expressions in Origami

Exhibition Website

Oct 14 2016 - Jan 29 2017

Above the Fold demonstrates the extraordinary artistic achievements being made in the world of contemporary origami. In the hands of nine international artists, what was once considered a children’s craft becomes a sophisticated and often breathtaking global art form. Paper is transformed into dramatic sculpture, large-scale installations and conceptual works that express contemporary social, political, aesthetic, and cultural dialogues. Above the Fold is the first traveling exhibition to bring a group of origami installations and conceptual sculptures from around the world to North American audiences.

Nine contemporary artists, working in six different countries and ranging in age from 29 to 71, present an innovative group of folded-paper works that include sculpture, large-scale installation, and conceptual pieces. Visionary master folders—such as Erik Demaine and Martin Demaine (Canada/USA), Vincent Floderer (France), Miri Golan (Israel), Paul Jackson (UK/Israel), Dr. Robert J. Lang (USA), Yuko Nishimura (Japan), Richard Sweeney (UK), and Jiangmei Wu (China/USA)—push the boundaries of paper as a medium to create bold, provocative works.

Origami, literally meaning “paper folding,” has evolved from a Japanese craft into a highly expressive, global art form that intersects and impacts the realms of art and science. Today, artists from all over the world are folding paper into increasingly elaborate and provocative sculptural works, while scientists and mathematicians are using origami to unlock the mysteries of the universe. Since even our DNA is folded, origami artist Paul Jackson has expressed, “You and I are born from folding.” We are all, in essence, works of origami. Each artist has created pieces specifically for this tour, and together for the first time, their collective works will present unique and, “above the fold” commentaries on diverse aspects of modern life and art. With this inventive exhibition, the traditional Japanese art of origami—folding paper into three-dimensional figures—is transformed from a childhood pastime into a sophisticated international art form.

Exhibition overview from the Morikami Museum website

  • International
  • Contemporary
  • Erik Demaine
  • Martin Demaine
  • Vincent Floderer
  • Miri Golan
  • Paul Jackson
  • Dr. Robert J. Lang
  • Yuko Nishimura
  • Richard Sweeney
  • Jiangmei Wu

Exhibition Venues & Dates