Grade 3-8: Art in Math - Origami

Origami is a Japanese artform originating in the 17th century meaning "ori" folding and gami" folding. The object is to create forms using folding paper without scissors or glue. 

Extreme origami

Erik and Mark Demaine win the Guggenheim award for their curved-crease sculptures. The Demaines used origami to be a powerful tool to study mathematics, the father-and-son duo explore foldable forms from both mathematical and artistic perspectives. This concentric circle shape can be traced back to the Bauhaus, which the Demaines have extended further by pushing multiple concentric circles together. 

Their mathematical origami was on view through January 2014 at the Museum of Modern Art’s Applied Design collection.