While folding is often considered one of the building blocks of paper art, the earliest forms of paper folding pre-date this medium entirely. In China, where paper originated during the 2nd century B.C., paper folding was first used for ceremonial purposes, such as making offerings to the gods or wrapping gifts in ornate envelopes. Though these early examples were more practical than artistic, they paved the way for the art form that would spread across the globe. As paper traveled along the Silk Road, folding evolved to include local imagery and symbolism, such as the paper cranes that characterize Japanese origami today. The meditative nature of folding a delicate paper form, as well as the discipline required to make such intricate designs, helped origami evolve into the art we know and love today.
The turning point comes with the Renaissance, when European artists use folded paper in decoration and architectural designs. Under the impact of geometry, sculptors use folding to depict three-dimensional objects on a two-dimensional plane, a precursor to modern paper sculpture. Da Vinci designs folded paper prototypes in his drawings. Folding makes it possible to depict a highly structured object without using heavy materials. It is a moment of combining craft with science, in which folding is not just folding, but something more—scientific folding, the exploration of light and shade and shape. This also promotes the development of using paper to record the impression of volume, applying different tensions to paper by folding and creasing.
During the 20th century, paper folding gained more widespread attention with the formalization of origami by masters like Akira Yoshizawa. Yoshizawa popularized wet folding, which enabled folded paper to look softer, to resemble flowers and animals, rather than geometric designs. Artists began pushing boundaries, combining folding with other elements like cutting and gluing to produce large-scale sculptures that challenged perceptions of ephemerality. The modern art movements of constructivism and minimalism drew on paper’s ubiquity, to make sculpture more democratic. Paper folding also became less of an isolated activity, as workshops and exhibitions sprouted up to take advantage of its educational and therapeutic potential.
Modern paper sculpture has evolved to include computer aided designs that assist in template making and designing, though some artists prefer the traditional hand crafted methods. Many of these current sculptors use biodegradable paper to create works about the natural world and the fleeting nature of their medium. The combination of traditional techniques with modern computer designs allows for patterns and designs that were previously unachievable. Knowing the history of paper sculpture allows budding paper sculptors to appreciate the power of each crease they make and to create art that pays homage to the origins of the craft while pushing it forward into the future. As paper sculpture becomes increasingly accepted into the mainstream art world through gallery and museum exhibitions, the genre proves that, despite the simplicity of its medium, paper can take on many complex forms.
While some techniques may fade with time, paper folding has maintained its popularity because of its ability to unfold for anyone with a simple sheet of paper. With roots in religion and history to contemporary art, paper folding is a classic medium that requires only a little patience and creativity to execute perfectly. With its continued evolution, paper folding continues to amaze with the potential for innovation in this surprisingly simple medium.