For starters, a new (possibly) Banksy graphic was a very affirmative nod to the growing popularity of origami as fine art, and fiber manipulation in general.

New Origami Graffiti Art Might Be a Banksy Original! | Inhabitat …

inhabitat.com3/26/12

This awesome crane and goldfish are reported to be Banksy’s latest piece, but we have not had verification. Either way, it rocks!

A new video from Mabona Origami shows a rhino unfolding.  I think I’d rather see him folding than unfolding… but I’m fascinated by paper folding.  This 20-second video is astonishing.  As it unfolds, the process looks deceptively simple.

Origami Rhino Unfolding from MABONA ORIGAMI on Vimeo.

I’m seeing origami in a new advertisement series, promoting artificial leather products.  Refreshing use of graphic… clever and eye-catching!  (Click link to see thumbnails of magazine advertisements.)

Rexiine House: Origami Wolf, Origami Cow … – I Believe in Advertising

www.ibelieveinadv.com3/27/12

This next link, to an origami CD case project at MAKE, is a winner for me. I’m always buying (and losing) paper envelope thingies for my loose CDs. I also seem to send a lot of sheets of paper to the recycling bin. This project idea solves both problems, nicely.

MAKE | Origami CD Case

blog.makezine.com3/26/12

Origami CD Case. Are you like me and have a big spool of DVD-Rs collecting dust on a shelf somewhere that you keep around to occasionally burn a disk for a friend? Chances are, you’ve found yourself hunting around for …

Origami is influencing fashion, as well.  First, I found this WhoWhatWhere article about clothing that references origami.  [link]  Then, this dress which looks like a mix of origami and retro wrap-around styling:

Origami dress | Lipstick & Ruffles

www.lipstickandruffles.com3/28/12

{Topshop Origami dress, Jcrew glitter flats & necklace, Marc Cain bag C/O}. I am finally back home after an amazing time in New Orleans the past few days. The flight in was a little rocky and our plane had a difficult time …

Frankly, I think those designs are rather tame.  As artists, I’m 99% sure we can design some of our own artwear with far better origami elements.  However — to be fair to the designers and clothing manufacturers — we artists are willing to wear clothing that cause some people to raise an eyebrow… and then water-down to wear, themselves.

And, not content to fold paper themselves, those wacky wizards at MIT have come up with a kind of origami paper that folds itself.  Sort of.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZf3lo-16wQ

From all of this, I take two things:

• Origami is about to trend.  Even Google doodled with origami this month. (See 14 March 2012 Google header graphic.)
• Origami can be pushed to extremes, and include more design media and projects, than I’d realized.

All in all: Cool stuff!  I’m going back to watch Between the Folds, to look at this from a wearable art viewpoint.  I have wonderful fabrics, some with Asian influences, that could look pretty amazing if they were used in wearables with origami-style surface design.

Between the Folds

Subtitled “The science of art. The art of science,” this video directed by Vanessa Gould is extraordinary.  It starts with origami, but probably not the same origami you remember from second grade.  This is astonishing work by papermakers and other fine artists working with huge sheets of paper, paper designed for finished origami, and textural works using damp paper.

It’s also about artists creating smaller works that give us an entirely new way to look at fiber, paper, and the art of folding.

This one-hour documentary begins with a man who makes magnificent handmade papers and concludes with an MIT researcher and professor using the concept of folds — and origami — as a foundation for important scientific and medical research.  From Akira Yoshizawa to Richard L. Alexander to Dr. Robert J. Lang to Dr. Erik Demaine, you’ll discover corners and nuances of paper art you probably hadn’t even imagined.

It’s a journey, and you’ll visit the studios of origami and paper artists to see a wide range of art forms based on folded and manipulated paper.

For me, the voyage had its ups and downs.  I found myself feeling unusually bored in some sections of the movie, and fascinated by others… sometimes at the same time.  Often, what the artist said was inspiring and insightful, while the displayed details of his or her work didn’t interest me enough to linger.  At other times, I had lukewarm interest in the dialogue, but I was frantic to see more details and angles of the art.

If you are passionate about paper or paper folding, especially origami, I think Between the Folds is a must-own.  You’ll watch it over and over again. If your public library doesn’t own a copy, they should; buy them one.

For the rest of us, it’s a good video to see once (I saw it on Netflix, but it’s also available on-demand at Amazon), pause, and then see it again.  Between the Folds might be imperative if your children (or students) are visually oriented but also fascinated by math (especially patterns and topology) and engineering.

I give Between the Folds four and a half stars because it’s a wonderful documentary, but the editing didn’t feel quite as compelling as it might have.

Do make a point of seeing this documentary.  You’ll never look at paper the same way again.

Photos by Origami Joel (not in video), Joel Cooper

Here’s the trailer for this remarkable documentary:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE4lqYzS2m0

See larger image Independent Lens: Between the Folds (DVD) Director: Vanessa Gould Starring: Dr. Erik Demaine, Giang Dinh, Vincent Floderer & Le Crimp, Miri Golan, Dr. Tom Hull Rating: NR (Not Rated) List Price: $24.99 USD New From: $13.14 In Stock Used from: $18.71 In Stock Release date January 5, 2010.

Each of 13 brilliant artists — including Kelly Kilmer, Nina Bagley, and Lesley Riley — started with a template that’s the shape of a house.  Then, they used their unique creative visions to make those “houses” into astonishing and varied works of art.

This book shows the art is detail, with comments, backstories, and appropriate quotations to lend even more depth to each artist’s work.

• Discover what inspired these artists — the “lightbulbs” of originality that led to these deliciously rich houses of collage, paint, photos, metal, and other dimensional elements.
• Learn about their materials and techniques, and why they included what they did.
• Take your own art to new heights by gleaning tips and helpful information, directly from each artist.

Frankly, I read a lot of art books. I keep only a few of them, and this one is definitely a keeper. The variety of art and inspiration makes this a unique resource for rainy days and creative dreams.

It’s one of just a few books I hand-carried from Texas to New England, when we moved.

This book is tremendous… and that can be both good and bad.  Why?  Well, on some days — and for some artists — the pages of this book can lead to blank stares and the inner question, “Oh dear heaven, where do I start?”

That happens to every artist, now and then.

My advice?  If the richness and layers of the work overwhelm you, focus on one collage element — for example, wallpaper swatches, vintage photos, or diluted white paint or gesso — and look for that throughout the book.

Different artists will highlight varied approaches to that same element, and at least one will be a “lightbulb” moment for you.

Also, the back of the book includes the same template the artists used, as well as some glorious collage elements for your own work.  (My tip: Scan and print — or color photocopy — them.  This book is too juicy and wonderful to cut up.)

Start simple.  Add more materials.  Explore new techniques.  Retreat to what’s comfortable, and then surge forward again, finding self-expression in layers.

Pros

• Lots of artists, materials & techniques.
• Tremendous insights, explaining exactly why the artists included what they did.
• Nearly endless visual inspiration, no matter what your skill level.

Cons

• Book cover doesn’t grab your attention, so it’s easy to overlook this book.
• No step-by-step, detailed instructions for beginners.
• Intricacy of art, materials and techniques can be overwhelming, even for experienced collage and mixed-media artists.

Summary

The home is a symbol of comfort and stability for many of us.  This book explores that theme, but also shows us a variety of materials and techniques that can expand any artist’s range of expression.

If you’re a collage artist or working in mixed media, this is a book to own. It’s an infinite resource of inspiration and ideas.

Click here to find your copy at Amazon.com
or at Amazon.co.uk

See larger image In This House: A Collection of Altered Art Imagery and Collage Techniques (Paperback) By (author) Angela Cartwright, Sarah Fishburn List Price: $24.99 USD New From: $5.00 In Stock Used from: $4.97 In Stock

Sometimes I buy a book because it’s simply delightful.  The art is very original, made with refreshing and simple materials, and the book just makes me smile.

This is one of those books.

Sure, some of this artwork has a Voodoo connection. The author talks about magic numbers and pious images used in art.  If that bothers you, don’t read this book.

However, if you’d love to include more art in your everyday world and whimsy delights you… this book is a must-own.

It’s also ideal if you’re working on a sacred area in  your home, or creating a personal shrine.

For me, this book is wonderful!

• I fell in love with the loops of wire and charms and flowers that comprise the very informal “Unusual center light” on pages 26 and 27.
• My cat (like the author’s) would be fascinated by the “Wishing tree” on pages 38 and 39.
• The “Garland of happiness” on page 40 is something I want over my desk… it’s a truly glorious idea!

Every project (there are 45 in this book) includes a list of supplies and step-by-step directions.  They’re not terribly detailed.

For example, “…top-stitch with the machine using turquoise thread” assumes that you have a sewing machine and know how to use it.

However, the informality of this book makes it clear that you can do the same thing with a needle and thread, and no sewing machine.

In fact, you can (and should!) improvise to create your own versions of these projects. This book is the inspiration; you make each project unique.

45 projects including shrines, household decorations, jewelry, fabric art and wearables, and painting projects.

Pros

• Lots of colorful, whimsical photos to inspire you.
• An informal writing style makes this very accessible to beginners through advanced artists (and non-artists).
• On at least every second page, I see something to gasp at and think, “Ooh, I could do something like that…”

Cons

• If Voodoo and alternative spirituality bother or offend you, there are other great books to inspire you.  Skip this one.
• Students who want every step spelled out with basic directions and lots of photos… well, this isn’t your kind of book.  It’s for free spirits whose lives are very spontaneous and unstructured.

Summary

Every time I pick up this book, I read just a page or two before I have an idea for a very cool project.  So, I’ve never actually read this entire book, even though I’ve owned it for over a year.

If words like voodoo, talismans, and magic make you shudder, avoid this book.

However, if ethnic, improvised art inspires you, this is a book you’ll display so you look at it often.  It might be on my top 10 list of favorite mixed-media arts/crafts books.

Available at Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk

See larger image Happy Voodoo Gris Gris: Over 45 Easy-To-Make Lucky Charms & Talismans (Paperback) By (author) Valerie Lefebvre List Price: $16.99 USD New From: $2.42 In Stock Used from: $0.01 In Stock

If you’re like me, you’ve seen books that claim to be “a workshop in a book,” and then… well, they don’t quite live up to their promises.

Altered Curiosities really is like a workshop in a book.  Ms. Wynn shows exactly how to work with things like metal, solder, patinas, and etching solutions.  The photos take you step-by-step through the process.  You barely need to read the text to understand precisely how to achieve the same effects she does.

The author also holds nothing back.  She shares brand names and clever tips that spare you a lot of trial-and-error.  (Personally, I hate the error part, and any author or teacher who gets me past that… well, she’s on my list of heroes.)

If you’ve looked at assemblages that include lots of metal, and thought to yourself, “One of these days, I have got to learn about working with metal,” your wait is over.

Or, if you’ve taken a jewelry (or metals) class and you’ve gone home with the artistic equivalent of writer’s block, this book features some great step-by-step projects that you can adapt to found materials you have on hand.

If, like me, you practically worship artists like Keith LoBue, Jane Ann Wynn, and Michael de Meng (and many others in that visual genre), Altered Curiosities will show you techniques that can take your own art into that lofty realm.

This is a truly great book, and one that every mixed media and assemblage artist will appreciate, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced artist.  Altered Curiosities gives you a chance to look over Jane Ann Wynn’s shoulder and learn from one of the best!

If you’ve read this far, go get the book.  I mean it.  You may be creeped out by some of her projects (I was), but oh my goodness, this is a book to own. It’s like assemblage and found art inspiration, on steroids.

Buy Altered Curiosities at Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

See larger image Altered Curiosities: Assemblage Techniques and Projects (Paperback) By (author) Jane Ann Wynn List Price: $22.99 USD New From: $12.87 In Stock Used from: $9.00 In Stock