Rock N’ Roll-igami, Part Tres

Throughout the weeks, I’ve been continuing my Rock N’ Roll-igami series of modular art, with gorgeous results.

Thanks to booklet donations, I’ve been able to complete several dynamic classic rock pieces, featuring some of the most iconic performers of the late 20th century.

Of course, all of these pieces are available for sale in my Etsy shop.  Some of the new models include:

Greatest Hits Cube, including Aerosmith, John Mellencamp and Kansas

Smashing Pumpkins Orb (Icosahedron), featuring albums Pisces Iscariot, Mellon Collie and Adore

Modular Cube featuring mid 90s Rock: Bush, REM and the Red Hot Chili Peppers

Icosahedron featuring Santana, Jimmy Buffett and the Jimi Hendrix Experience

One Hit Wonder Cube, including Oleander, Marcy Playground, Loko Phylum, Cherry Poppin' Daddies, Harvey Danger and 3 Doors Down

Amigami is always looking for more CD booklet donations! I will make a custom piece for each person who donates, and am willing to negotiate payment for larger contributions.

Please contact me via the comments form or the ‘Contact’ tab at the top if you would like to contribute to the Roll N’ Roll-igami series.

Sonobes: Cornerstone of Modular Origami

Although battling a severe bout of sickness, I thought I’d post some more informative material regarding the history and mathematics of modular origami.  And seeing how many of my models are created using Sonobe modules or derivatives thereof, it felt a natural place to begin the discussion.

According to origami lore, the Sonobe module was created by its namesake, Mitsunobu Sonobe, in the early half of twentieth century Japan.  These parallelogram modules feature folds at 45 and 135 degrees, with two built-in pockets.  Thanks to the tab-pocket system, shapes can be assembled and held together entirely without the aid of adhesive.  It is due to this strength, along with the plenitude of shapes this modules can create, which has added to its longevity.

The simplest of Sonobe shapes, known as Toshie’s Jewel, is made with only 3 modules.  Cube constructions can be assembled using 6 or 12 unit assembly methods, as can 12 unit octahedral assemblies.  One of the most well-known shapes, and a personal favorite, is the icosahedron, which is comprised of twelve pentagonal faces and requires 30 units to assemble.  Of course, other larger polyhedra are equally viable, including spiked pentakis dodecahedron, and the large 270 module “buckyball.”

Adding further to this design’s endurance is the virtually endless ways in which this module has been modified over the decades.  Through the small adjustments of folds, brilliant color contrasts and shape differentiations are created.  In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find a modular origami unit which does not in some way draw inspiration from the original Sonobe.  So thank you for this ingenious fold, which opened the gateway for a whole genre of origami!

New Rock N’ Roll Origami

As promised, I’ve been delving through the plethora of CD booklets I recently inherited, constructing more music-inspired origami.  I’ve found the most difficult part is finding enough booklets  similar enough conceptually and graphically to assemble an entire 24- or 30-unit piece.  Some of the cubes in particular become a mismatch of loosely associated bands, tied by concepts like make-up or big hair.  But they look great!   ^_^

It seems that as I’m sprting through the collection, many hard rock and heavy metal albums have longer than average CD booklets, so my work has gravitated in that direction due to availability of supplies.  The contrast and images on these cubes really make them stand out, and they (obviously) cast a whole different feel than some of the more colorful examples (like the Pink Floyd or Offspring pieces).

Luckily, I previously owned plus inherited several booklets from Offspring CDs, enough to make this spectacular icosahedron!  Folded from 30 pieces, using the traditional Sonobe design, this piece spans the history of the Offspring’s major releases, from Ignition to Splinter.  The vivid graphics common to Offspring albums are ideal for modular origami, and the rainbow of images has really made this one of my favorite pieces.

In contrast to the heavy metal cubes, I made this for Ramon, since he so graciously donated so much material to me!  Similar to the Offspring sphere, this cube features fthe booklets of four Clarks CDs, along with a scattering of images from Sugar Ray and Modest Mouse.  This piece was made by custom request, and if you have the books, I can make the art!  Or, if your favorite band is already represented here, be sure to pick it up in my Etsy shop before someone else does!

Modular Origami Brocade Rose Cubes

This beautiful design has an eye-pleasing geometry which makes it look great with any color scheme.  I originally learned the module for making these brocades from The Origami Handbook, by Rick Beech (2002). A variant of the traditional Sonobe module, this figure is actually a simple 6-piece cube, which is given its rounded appearance by its frills (which function dually as assembly pockets).

Typically I hang my origami, but this is another great display idea!  Made from 16 gauge copper wire, the spring-like base is complemented by a swirly sun burst design.  Thank you Ramon for the awesome concept!

I do have an example of a hanging brocade rose, and lucky for you, it’s now for sale on Etsy!  Hopefully I will have more on sale soon, once my stock is returned.  Made from printed card stock with a vintage-motif, this 4″ cube is filled with lavender potpourri and adds to the ambiance of any room’s motif.

Origami Rock ‘n Roll Cubes (and other items on Etsy)

Way back when people still bought CDs, I always tried to insist on keeping the booklets.  But now that CDs are mostly irrelevant, the actual discs have been passed on, and I found myself with a heap of perfectly square, colorful paper which are perfect for origami.  Since this discovery, a few of my friends have donated their kindred heaps . . I intend to make great use of them, and this is the first piece!

This four inch modular origami cube is dedicated to the laser light shows of classic rock.  It is constructed from two complete CD booklets from Pink Floyd’s classic Dark Side of the Moon album.  Each square of paper is folded into a basic rectangular shape (with starburst detail), and arranged in an interlocking pattern which is incredibly stable and needs no glue!  This is truly an awesome piece of art for any Pink Floyd or classic rock fan, and is currently available on Etsy.  Of course, due to limited supplies, this is one-of-a-kind, so first come, first serve!

Speaking of which, the Amigami Etsy shop is slowly increasing it’s stock.  In addition to the Rock Cubes, I have a tiny sampling of other origami and knot work jewelry, as well as crochet hip bags which are great as phone pr camera cases.  Please check them out, and thanks for your support!

Hanging Origami Rose Brochade, Filled with Lavender

Brown Mystic Knot Necklace with Red Agate

Colorful Hip Pouches – Great for Phones & Cameras!

Art & Web Galleries are Open!

A “work in progress” is definitely an understatement, but the Amigami galleries are now officially open for your artistic and viewing pleasure.  I am attempting to sort through my archives as quickly as possible, so please bear with me.  While you wait, please visit my Titanium Sonobe Buckyball, the flagship of my Modular Origami Gallery.

And keep checking for more art available from Amigami!