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Sculptural Origami

By Saadya Sternberg

Published: 2011 by Dover Publications
Pages: 100
Binding: Paperback
Language: English
ISBN: 0486478408

Buy from: Amazon.com

Skill Level : From intermediate to complex
Clear diagrams? Yes
Tinted diagrams (to show 2 sides of paper)? Yes
Photos of completed models? Yes
Is there indication to the model size resulting from size of starting paper? No
Are the models "Pure" origami (From square - no cuts)? Masks are from rectangles. The circular curves are from circles, one of which involves a cut
Overall Impression

This book presents the art of Saadya Sternberg, who developed his own independent artistic approach to paper-folding, using paper as one would use clay to sculpt human faces, animals and intriguing geometric shapes.

In the book, Saadya discusses his masks, animals, and his explorations of curve-folding. The mask technique is taught in detail, starting with the tools and paper, and then elaborating on the different ways of getting the facial features and even adding a neck and shirt to the model for a complete bust.

Saadya's animals catch the essence of their subjects without going into excessive details, and involve fun and unique procedures. Note though, that this is not a beginner's book. The instructions assume some familiarity with folding intermediate designs.

The Curves section contains instructions and crease-patterns for tessellation-like designs, and for interesting circular experiments.

Apart from instructions, there's an extensive photo-gallery of Saadya's work, all in full-color (nice to see in a Dover book), and all models come with crease-patterns and with the artist's thoughts about the design process.

The enclosed DVD adds much more to the book. The videos include an introduction to Saadya, present in detail the various techniques used in creating masks, including full instructions for "Open Wide"; The author discusses further the curved circular models displayed in the book, and include full instructions for two extra animals - the sparrow and the monkey. The videos are shot "over the shoulder" making them easy to follow.

This is a book to enjoy!

The Models
Model Notes Photo (click for a larger image)
Faces From a rectangle
Folded by Saadya
Standing man A re-work of an older version
Cat Also published in in Origami USA 1993 convention book
Chameleon
Horse 2 variations
Square-grid spirals Crease-pattern for various curved designs
Folded by Saadya
Triangular-grid spirals Crease-pattern for various curved designs
Folded by Saadya
Concentric winder Crease-pattern - From a circle - with a cut
Folded by Saadya
Sphere-from-a-circle Crease-pattern - From a circle
Folded by Saadya
Sparrow Video instructions on the enclosed DVD
Monkey Video instructions on the enclosed DVD
Open Wide From a rectangle. Video instructions on the enclosed DVD
Folded by Saadya