modular

916: Zhen Xian Bao (Traditional Chinese Thread and Needle Book)

| wonko

Interestingly, paper folding developed independently in most countries that made paper. In China, traditional folding included objects like this:

This is a modern interpretation of a Zhen Xian Bao – a traditional thread case. Even cursory research on teh interwebs reveals astonishing combinations of these little compartments, nested in other compartments.

This fold was designed by Paula Versnick, and has 7 separate compartments of varying size, that all lock together into a charming little book. Continue reading →

899: (349/365) Spikey Cube

| wonko

Continuing the modular bent, I had bookmarked this fold in my collection of Tanteidan magazines as a “must try”:

This is Jun Maekawa’s “Spikey Cube” – a 6 part modular that only holds itself together when the last part is slotted in place. The locking mechanism is difficult to master initially, and seemingly different each corner. Continue reading →

898: (348/365) The Droid You Were Looking For

| wonko

Now I am as much a Star Trek fan as the next one, and love a comedy sidekick movie plot device. It was interesting that the Star Wars franchise returned to the tried and true “quirky beeping droid” sidekick in “Force Awakens” and the BB8 droid seems a cute successor to the more limited R2 units (that they decided could fly in later/earlier messes of movies):

This is Martin Hunt’s Modular BB8 droid model. A torturous fold of many parts.

4 different modules combine to make a roughly spherical ball with a “head” that can be affixed wherever you want, sort of captured the overall morphology of the droid. Continue reading →

897: (347/365) Deathstar

| wonko

Tomorrow in Oz the next chapter of the Star Wars saga opens in cinemas. I am not likely to see it until the crush of “real fans” abates but thought on the eve I would fold something relevant:

This I have labelled “Deathstar” because it bears an uncanny resemblance to the space station the Liberator encountered just out from Far Point, while captain Mal and his rag tag band of cylons, and their computer Aurac, cruised the belt looking for replicants (how many scifi franchises are hinted at here? :P). Continue reading →

896: (346/365) All 3 Dimensions

| wonko

I have folded a number of axis-type geometric modulars in my time:

This is Nick Robinson’s XYZmbe, a 6 part model that shows the intersections of the X, Y and Z planes with a curious twirly intersection. Continue reading →

888: (338/365) Cubo Twist

| wonko

This charming 6-piece modular cube is designed by Francesco Mancini and is included in his booklet “Mancinerie”, which I think I purchased from the BOS shop online:

Each face is a twisted square. Folded from A5 sheets, the pre-creasing is pretty easy and the twist is satisfying. Continue reading →

870: (320/365) Nymph Ball

| wonko

Exam invigilation is one of the most boring things that exists, when possible I fold repetitive things during them (thus allowing me to be vigilant and productive):

This is a 30-piece modular ball made from Ekaterina Lakasheva’s “Nymph” module – simple tab and pocket creations folded from 7.5cm squares. Continue reading →

865: (315/365) 11/11/2017 Lest We Forget

| wonko

The poppy has become a symbol of remembrance, reverence and honour:

A humble flower capable of thriving in the harshest of conditions, flourishing under duress with a beautiful, if short-lived ephemeral flower. Something existential to learn here for all of us.  Continue reading →

864: (314/365) 6-part Rhombicuboctahedron

| wonko

…yes, I know, a day late but, meh! Always on the look out for fascinating geometry, I had put this 6-part Rhombicuboctahedron, designed by David Mitchell, in my “fold this when you get a moment” pile:

6 relatively simple modules interlock to make a fascinating ball-like structure but the devil is in the details. Continue reading →

854: (304/365) … you make One Fairy Cry …

| wonko

Australia does not really have a tradition of Halloween, it seems to me a cultural import that encourages the worst sort of excesses – a point I tried to explain to a small halloweenie dressed as a fairy who came knocking on my door on this day a few years back:

It did not go as well as planned, needless to say I am now labelled “the grinch” of our street and little kids scuttle past our place in costume afraid of the bad man in that house. Continue reading →

833: (283/365) Porous

| wonko

It is interesting how things sometimes just work themselves out:

Here was me, panicking because I had nothing ready or in mind for today’s fold, came home and the latest Tanteidan Magazine was in my mailbox. Continue reading →

829: (279/365) Kablang!

| wonko

Leafing through my copy of Drawing Origami Tome 2, I noticed a spectacular modular designed by Francesco Mancini that I knew I had to try:

Modules folded from 2×1 rectangles lock together really nicely, creating clusters of 3 and 5, forcing the megastructure to curve gently into a spikey ball. Continue reading →

817: (267/365) Double Helix

| wonko

Being a bit of a closet Biology nerd, when you see a design that combines love of folding with something biologically interesting you jump at the chance to fold it:

This modular is made up of a bunch of bent arrow-shaped modules that slip together in 2 strands that then, rather satisfyingly, intertwine in much the same way as worms do when they are mating. Continue reading →

816: (266/365) Spring Solstice

| wonko

For purists, today marks the Spring Solstice, the “official” first day of spring (as per lunar cycles). 

As a member of OUSA, I was asked to participate in the “Annual Gift”, which consists of contributing a fold to be used as a Xmas tree decoration at The American Museum of Natural History. Apparently this has become something of a tradition. Continue reading →