Curved-Crease Sculpture

by Erik Demaine and Martin Demaine

When folded along curved creases, paper shapes itself into a natural equilibrium form. These equilibria are poorly understood, especially for curved creases. We are exploring what shapes are possible in this genre of self-folding origami, with applications to deployable structures, manufacturing, and self-assembly. This transformation of flat paper into swirling surfaces creates sculpture that feels alive.

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Teapot Series (2013-2024)

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Freedom Series (2024)

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Brush With Words (2024)

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Braille Series (2023)

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IMO Series (2023)

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Hanging Out (2023)

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Beethoven Series (2021)

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Precious Metal Series (2021)

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Albers Series (2019)

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ShakespeaRED Series (2019)

Folger Shakespeare Library

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200 Circles (2018)

Dalhousie University

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Pyro Series (2017-)

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Cane Series (2017-)

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Sunflower Series (2017-2018)

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Calligraphy Series (2015)

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Frog Series (2015)

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Knotty Object (2015)

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Nutrition Series (2015)

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Something from Nothing from Nothing Series (2014–2015)

Affinity Gallery, 2014

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QR Series (2014–2015)

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Waterfall Series (2014)

Black Mountain College Museum

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Selenographia Series (2014)

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McClellan Series (2014)

Duncan McClellan Gallery, 2014

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Origami Wedge Skeletons (2013)

Affinity Gallery, 2013

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Holderness Series (2013)

Holderness Gallery, 2013

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Destructors (2013)

Art of the Book, 2013

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Kentucky Series (2013)

The Art Museum, 2013

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MoMath Opening Centerpieces (2012)

National Museum of Mathematics, 2012

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Jaffe Series (2012)

Jaffe Center for Book Arts, 2012

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Simons Series (2012)

Simons Center for Geometry and Physics Art Gallery, 2012

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Curved Crease Sculpture (2012)

Guided By Invoices, 2012

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Fuller Craft Series (2012)

Fuller Craft Museum, 2012

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Renwick Series (2011)

Smithsonian American Art Museum permanent collection
Renwick Gallery exhibit in 2012

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“The Circle” series (2011)

Central Booking, 2011

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Waves in Glass (2010)

Sarah Silberman Art Gallery, 2011

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Pushing Curves to the Limit (2009)

Peel Gallery, 2009–2010

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Waves (2009)

Art Cézar, 2009

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Computational Origami (2008)

MoMA permanent collection
MoMA exhibits in 2008 & 2008–2009 & 2012–2013


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History of Curved Origami Sculpture

There is a surprisingly old history to curved origami sculpture, going back to the 1920s at the Bauhaus. Read our partial history focusing on the earliest known references.

Last updated March 11, 2026 by Erik Demaine. — Accessibility