Above the Fold: New Expressions in Origami

December 7, 2019 through March 1, 2020

Highlighting the extraordinary power and potential of contemporary origami, nine international artists transform two-dimensional paper into stunning, sprawling, and soaring three-dimensional sculpture. Above the Fold: New Expressions in Origami encompasses artwork created using varied techniques, including dampening, stretching, folding, pleating, and twisting into forms illustrating connections between origami and mathematics. Bridging the realms of art and science, origami concepts impact architectural and computer-aided design and are reflected even in our folded DNA. These origami artworks – from floating, organic forms to conceptual book sculptures emerging from the Torah and the Koran, also explore concepts as varied as infinity, sustainable design, and world peace. Above the Fold, the first traveling exhibition to bring origami installations from around the world to North American audiences, was curated by Meher McArthur, and the tour was organized by International Arts & Artists, Washington, D.C.   

Exhibition Highlights

Erik Demaine & Martin Demaine, Greene Recycling/ Destructors VIII, 2013, elephant hide paper, photo courtesy of the artists

Erik Demaine & Martin Demaine, Together, 2012, Mi-Teintes watercolor paper, photo courtesy of the artists

Paul Jackson, Untitled, 2014, cut and folded digital prints, photo courtesy of the artist

Robert J. Lang, Vertical Pond II, 2014, custom-made Origamido paper, photo courtesy of the artist

Yuko Nishimura, Shine, 2008, Washi (Kyokushi), photo courtesy of the artist

Erik Demaine & Martin Demaine, You See, 2014, elephant hide paper and hand-blown glass, photo courtesy of the artist

Thanks to the members, donors, grantors, and sponsors who support the exhibition and programs.

BMO Harris Bank is the presenting sponsor of the origami exhibitions.

Additional educational support comes from Sandy Ott. Exhibitions and programs are supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts. Marketing supported in part by City of Wausau Room Tax funds.  Support for hands-on art-making supplies comes from Wilmington Trust and the M&T Charitable Foundation. A grant from the B.A. & Esther Greenheck Foundation supports the Jiangmei Wu and Robert J. Lang artist residencies.