2016 Bridges Conference

Alessandro Beber

Statement

Origami, the art of paperfolding, has strong connections with mathematics. These are usually not so visible in the completed piece when origami is representing living forms, as the math is hidden in their structure. On the other hand, geometric origami fully display these connections, which become part of the beauty of the completed piece. One of the fields I had been exploring in recent years, is that of tessellations, periodic tilings of folds covering the entire surface of a single sheet of paper, no matter how large it is. Some of them are especially interesting when backlit, displaying different shades according to the number of layers stacked on each area. Others are used to represent optical illusions and other 3d-like shapes.

Artworks

Image for entry 'Menger Sponge Tessellation, level 2'

Menger Sponge Tessellation, level 2

40 x 46 cm

paper

2016

Additional info

A representation of the Menger Sponge, level 2, using an origami tessellation technique I developed, allowing to create any shape made of triangles and rhombi only, on a tessellated background. Folded from a single uncut regular hexagon of paper.
Image for entry 'Sierpinski/Penrose Triangle Tessellation'

Sierpinski/Penrose Triangle Tessellation

32 x 28 cm

paper

2015

Additional info

An impossible object based on both the Penrose triangle and the Sierpinski Triangle fractal, using an origami tessellation technique I developed, allowing to create any shape made of triangles and rhombi only, on a tessellated background. Folded from a single uncut regular hexagon of paper.