Kinetic Paper Sculpture

Instructor: Clare Putney

Each of us has a relationship with paper in daily living, whether opening mail, eating take-out, or holding a dollar bill. Folding paper is a centuries old practice that inspires creativity and enginuity in areas of Math, Science, Engineering, Architecture, Art, Fashion, Animation, and Industrial Design, to name a few. It requires very few tools and highly accessible materials, yet the possibilities for how it can be manipulated and what can be created are endless.

In this workshop, community members will explore the characteristics of various types of paper and how they can be folded and pleated to build sculptural and kinetic art forms as well as packaging and promotional materials for marketing. Together, we will engage in the hands-on process of creating three objects out of simple sheets of paper: 1) Box (choice of form); 2) Envelope (choice of type); 3) Book (choice of design). There will be an opportunity to explore more complex paper folding techniques if time allows. Students can apply these skills to future art and design projects as well as creating unique marketing materials for their business practices.

Clare Putney has been teaching these paper folding techniques in college-level courses and K-12 after-school art programs for over a decade. It continues to be one of the most exciting and relevant processes to engage people from all ages and backgrounds in building objects that are accessible, meaningful, and purposeful.