Thomas Rauscher
foldings 1
paper sheets cut and folded
344 sheets, each 30 x 30 cm
2023
foldings 1 investigates the creation of a multitude of forms through the folding of a square along predefined axes. Instead of folding a separate sheet and attaching it to a backing, I chose to sculpt the folds directly from the carrier paper by cutting out the square shape from axis point to axis point and then fold it. This way, the folds become an integral part of the paper itself.
Since this project used the square as a formal basis and it is symmetrical both vertically and horizontally along its central axes, it was sufficient to consider the folds from one corner. All other folds result from rotations of the sheets by 90, 180, and 270 degrees. Therefore, the sheets are labeled on the back to avoid giving any preferred direction to a front-facing rotation.
This is the set of rules:
1. Take a geometric shape and divide each contour line based on the golden ratio.
2. Each division point can be connected to another on a different contour line to form an axis.
3. Create two axes, with both axes having at most one point in common.
4. Permutate all possible combinations of axes.
5. Fold the left part of the geometric shape upwards along the first axis, looking from the starting point to the endpoint.
6. Fold the left part of the geometric shape, and possibly the previously folded part, upwards along the second axis, looking from the starting point to the endpoint.
7. Fold all possible combinations.
As mentioned above, due to symmetry, it is sufficient to consider the folding variations from one corner of the square. More specifically, the starting points of the first axis defined by the division are meant, these being the two adjacent points at a corner of the square. The second axis is to be considered in all possible variations.
Here is a small selection of the 344 variants of this project. In case you want to see them all – please do not hesitate and get in contact with me.
