Print has always existed at the intersection of technology and art. As new technologies develop, artists make use of them in creative ways to make new kinds of art that convey new or re-imagined ideas and feelings. As printing technology continues to develop, it is not surprise that artists have taken on these innovations to make new and stunning works of art.
Japanese artist Takayuki Hori's new piece “Oritsunagumono” is a perfect example of artist's innovation in using new technologies combined with centuries-old techniques. Oritsunagumono means “things folded and connected” and the piece makes use of origami as well as printing on new material in order to make a stark cometary on the environmental threat to Japan's coastal waterways.
Takayuki Hori prints on transparent paper, so that when his prints are folded the bones come together to make a complete skeleton. The three-dimensional X-ray like image created sometimes includes a small piece of man-made trash that ends up in the paper animal's stomach. In this way, the garbage we throw away can end up hurting or killing wild animals because we do not recognize our place in the overall design.
The origami technique used in this process is an ancient Japanese art form, but the paper and print technology is very new. Paper that has this level of transparency is most likely actually a kind of plastic, but in order for it to be used for origami it must fold like paper.
The printing that has been done in the making of this artwork could have made use of a wide variety of technologies. The detail and precision of design suggests that it was probably digitally rendered and printed using modern ink-jet printing. Ink-jet printers, like the one we use at Vancouver on Canvas can reproduce delicate detail at very high quality.
At Vancouver on Canvas we are always trying to find interesting material to print on to add an extra element to you artwork. Check out our posts on Satin Cloth and Metallic paper and get inspired!
