This vase is a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork, folded from one uncut rectangle of paper. This piece was folded in 2016 and has been displayed at the Dreitzer Gallery (Waltham, MA).

To design the vase, I first draw the basic idea on paper and then use computer scripts I have written to calculate where the folds need to go to create that shape. The diagonal shift and bend elements that create the unique shape of the vase are elements I have engineered during my 10+ years of designing origami.

Once I have the vase designed, the first step is to paint the pattern on the flat paper such that the painted regions will align correctly once the vase is folded. I carefully measure where the edges of the painted lines will go and tape off the edges, and then hand-paint the paper with acrylic paint. On the other side of the paper, I re-measure the necessary reference points, then score the fold lines with a sharp tool, pre-crease the folds, and use water to help mold the paper into its final shape.

The paper (Zanders Elephant Hide) is a similar weight as cardstock, and the curved shape is sturdy. All of the paints are lightfast. In normal indoor display conditions, the vase will stay in good condition for years or decades. Some vases have plastic beads inside to help them keep their balance and will rattle when handled. It is possible to slightly dent the vase while handling it. Most dents are easy to remove by pushing them out from the inside of the vase.