Wet Fold to Enliven

The risk of relying primarily on paper to create a 3D object is the resulting rigidity of the final form.  Paper leads to hard lines, unnaturally straight limbs, a lack of the organic, which is suited to recreating manmade objects such as cameras, spaceships, and buildings, but not natural items such as flowers, animals, and plants.  Origami master Akira Yoshizawa found a way to overcome the downfalls inherent in paper crafting while taking advantages of the benefits.   By developing a technique called wet folding, he was able to create lovely flowing lines, soft curves, and textured surfaces ideally suited to organic sculpture.   

Wet folding involves dampening fold lines to affect a moldable quality in the paper not dissimilar to fabric.  The amount of water used is crucial; too wet and the paper will tear, too dry and it will be too rigid.  Origami paper is normally vey thin to allow multiple folds without an overall bulky appearance. Thicker paper is used with the wet folding technique as it provides the necessary resiliency once wet.

Hoang Tien Quyet, a Vietnam-based artist, was inspired by Mr. Yoshizawa's work and created a collection of animals using wet folding (see below images).  I decided to feature Mr. Quyet's work as I found many of his creations personal and touching.   With a twist of the head or the curve of a soft fold, his paper sculptures seem to come alive with their own personalities.  You can feel the pride of a regal horse with flowing mane and tail, or the timidity of a baby fox.  Mr. Quyet's bull brings to mind the "Hall of Bulls" in the Lascaux Caves in France created thousands of years ago by early man.  

This evolution in origami is evidence of the continuing expansion of art.  Even a craft hundreds of years old can transform bringing new life to established techniques and creating new styles never before seen.

"Hall of Bulls" at Lascaux France