Paper Craft Research

I have selected Nahoko Kojima

The idea of paper craft is very unique as the functionality of paper tends to be in regards to drawing, painting, design, advertisement etc. I think that the usage of paper to create an artwork has a certain irony behind it and creating a sculpture only adds a level of ironic involvement. However speaking to paper craft as a medium as well as a type of art I find it quite incredible as I have personally already taken an interest to it previous to this assignment.

As her work stands it looks phenomenal the intricacy and depth from a single sheet of paper or even layered ones with geometric based shapes creates an interlay of patterning that flows and moves creating a very unique piece. This practice of shaping objects, animals, textures, and other natural phenomenon with a sheet of paper allows the shapes to become whatever texture she chooses based on the awareness of positive and negative space. 

The approach to the Cloud Leopard would be in my own opinion something that is born out of a different awareness to the space that we typically assume is involved with paper and that is two-dimensional. The other unique part about this particular piece is that it has been attached with a clear plastic string to suspend it as well as hold it together properly. This usage of material creates is very minimalist which allows the preservation of form for the work. The other part of displaying a piece of paper with a third dimension is the lighting that can be altered and changed depending on the affects you may want.

The other factor that is included in this artwork is the origin of the artist and the fact that paper craft has existed for a large period of time within the eastern part of the world. This fact eludes to a cultural harmony between a specific artwork and the affect it can have upon people. It is apparent that this is what she would enjoy spreading to our western culture is the intricacy and history that is paper craft within japans society. The idea behind her sculpture is that it “is not static, it is not just about one moment in time” It is to allow “change and augmentation.”  

I have a deep interest in paper craft and zentangles not only because of the fact that they permeate a lot of western society at the moment. I actually enjoy it because of the amount of detail and form that you can create from a piece of paper and the level of intricacy you can create solely from creating geometric patterning and design. Nahoko Kojima’s work inspires me because it resembles my zentangle artwork in regards to its affect and play upon space. It also inspires me because I had not considered ever taking zentangles and actually making them three-dimensional. The fact that she uses the form of paper to create intricately carved out sculptures only defined by the space between the black and the background of the sculpture is beautiful. the other part is the usage of overlaying pieces to create a unique piece really draws me towards this style of artwork. I have thoroughly enjoyed spending hundreds of hours working with ink upon paper and also cutting it apart to allow the space to become the design. This is the very reason I choose these pieces because they are relatable and also made me think about what i could do if i ever choose to do more with this particular type of work.