Gabriel Frampton
My origami work is an attempt to give ideal mathematical forms
physical representation. Through years of experimentation, I developed
a new method of weaving strips together to create geometrical shapes.
This approach has the advantage of offering physical strength to the
finished designs, which in effect become tensegrity sculptures. The
intense forces contained within the structures have led me to use
stronger materials over the years, from my initial paper experiments,
to plastic-backed paper, to mylar, to my final choice of polyester
film (sold under the brand name Dura-lar). This material is strong
enough, and manufactured in large enough dimensions, to enable me to
create enormous origami several feet in diameter.
This modular origami piece is a set of interlocking loops that
form an icosidodecahedron. It is composed of 90 closed loops, 60
of which are octahedrons. The remaining 30 loops weave together
these octahedrons into a lattice, which are divided into 240
overlapping segments, producing 300 pieces. Each piece is a narrow
rectangle made of a row of equilateral triangles. There are six
different types of strips of various lengths that are used in this
design. No glue or other adhesives are used to hold the structure
together. The pieces are assembled in a carefully-planned order,
and the ends of each strip are hidden beneath layers of
neighbouring pieces. The complete structure is very stable and
strong, and will not sag or unravel.