Origami

Can you believe these dolls are made of a piece of paper? These were made by Eric Joisel who is a French Origami artist. When we were children, we played with Origami, didn't we? Origami is very familiar to me. However, when I found his works on the Internet, my image of Origami changed completely. Origami was just a plaything for me, but he made works of art by using it!

We can see the details of the doll in this picture. I don't understand how it is made by a piece of paper. I think it takes Eric a lot of time to make the piece.

This dog is Eric's work too. It is simpler than the dolls above, but I think it is difficult to make it for ordinary people. Now, the only thing that I can make by a piece of paper is crane. I forgot the way to make other thing by Origami. However, I want to make dogs like Eric's by Origami someday.

If you are interested in Eric's works, I recommend you to check his homepage: http://www.ericjoisel.com/home.html

Pictures from

http://www.origamihouse.jp/gallery/house_joisel/index.html

Carving

Do you know Carving? It is a traditional Thai craft that carve delicate pattern on the surface of fruits, vegetables and soaps. Carving is called "Kesalak" in Thai. Look at this picture.

This pattern is carved on a watermelon. It is wonderful, isn't it?

Fruits or vegetables carvings are used as decorations of weddings.

Such patterns are carved by using these special knives. These are for beginners, and therefore, not so expensive. Everyone can try carving easily. I think it is better to use apples for the first time, because they are cheap and easy to carve.
In the beginning, I said that carving is Thai craft, but there are similar craft in all over the world.
For example, Jack-o-Lantern is one of the vegetable carvings.

Have you ever heard the word "Kazarigiri?" You may see Kzarigiri vegetables in Osechi. Kazarigi is also similar to carving.
These pictures from http://www.fvs.jp/

Bartolome Esteban Murillo

Have you ever seen this picture? You may see it in a text book of art. It was drawn by Bartolome Esteban Murillo. He was an artist who flourished in 17th century Spain. He is one of my favorite artists, because his works are beautiful and realistic.

This is another his wrok. In the class of theology, I saw this picture for the first time. I was moved by its grace. I could not believe that people could draw such beautiful picture. This picture is religious one, and the woman who is drawn in it is the Virgin Mary. The title of this picture is "Immaculate Conception," and it is exhibited at Prado Museum in Spain. A professor of theology said that art was developed by religion. I thought that was an interesting idea, and he was right.

"Immaculate conception" was drawn by many artists. This picture was drawn by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. There are many similar points to Murillo's one, such as blue mant and angels. However Murillo's "Immaculate Conception" has a different point from others. In Murillo's picture, Mary looks up. This a big different point. Look at another "Immaculate Conception."

This picture was drawn by Zurbaran Francisco de. In his work, Mary looked down to watch the earth. This picture is also in Prado Museum. I would like to go to the museum.

Pictures from http://www.salvastyle.com/menu_baroque/murillo_immaculate_b.html

Shadow Art

What do you think it is? Probably, you cannot understand as it is. However, watch the shadow.

The shadow is like a person in shape. I hardly imagine that the paper's shadow looks a person's one. I was really surprised when I found the Shadow Art for the first time.

I think some of you know this work, because it was featured on TV many times. I also watched it on TV, and knew this art. The shadow shapes such figure only when the light is right side of the numbers. If there is no light, this work become just numbers littering the wall.

This work is also hard to find without the light. I cannot understand how the shadow is shaped. I want to watch these works directly. If I have a chance, I want to try the Shadow Art, but I think it is difficult for me.

These works are made by Kumi Yamashita.

Pictures from

http://www5.wind.ne.jp/data/nude/yamashita/kunst1.htm
http://kumiyamashita.com/

Felt Art

There are many arts made of felt. I will introduce you two of them. First one is this. One of my friends made these sweets. She made it with a needle, thread, scissors and bonds. These are so cute, aren't they? I was surprised when I heard she made these cakes, and I found there were kits of felt art. I really want to make these cakes by myself!


Another felt art is this. It is more real than first one. However, it needs only a needle! The way of making is simple. First, prick a mass of felt, and it become firm. You can make any shapes you want. Then, put the parts together by prick them. We can make this felt art only these actions, because the needle is little different from the normal one. The surface of it is uneven, so it can twine the fiber of felt. This type of felt art have kits too. So you can make it easily.
This picture is from http://www.shugale.com/craft/sho_4_la.html?scd=527160&page=060


This dog is made of felt. Can you believe it? We can make not only sweets but also animals by using felt. Someday I want to make my own dog by felt.
This picture is from http://www.midofelt.com/

Egg Art

What do you think these works are made of? The answer is Eggs! Can you believe it? When I watched it on TV for the first time, I couldn't believe! It's so beautiful, isn't it?

It is said that the egg art owes its origin to Russia. In the Romanof dynasty, Faberge, an artist of metal work, presented the monarch an oval jewelry case. It is the beginning of the egg art.

The eggs used for the egg art are not only chickens' eggs but also various birds' eggs. The biggest shell is ostrich's, and the smallest shell is quail's.

I really want to make an egg art, but the materials are quite expensive. So I can't try the art now.

Pictures from

http://www.tako.ne.jp/~herboasi/eggart/eggart.html

http://camegg.hp.infoseek.co.jp/eggsp.htm

Paper Craft

I made up this Pegasus during spring vacation. It took me three days to make it. First, I downloaded a pattern and printed it. Second, I cut it and made a lot of small parts. Then I composed them with bond. There was an instruction book to compose, but I did not read it. So it was hard to compose it like a puzzle. It took me a lot of trouble to make a papercraft, but it was fun.
If you have time, try to make papercaft! I think it is good for your brain to make it without an instruction book. This is an address that I downloaded this pattern. http://cp.c-ij.com/ja/contents/1006/