Paper craft is a collection of crafts using paper or card as the primary artistic medium for the creation of two or three-dimensional objects. Paper and card stock lend themselves to a wide range of techniques and can be folded, curved, bent, cut, glued, molded, stitched, or layered.
History
Paper crafts are known in most societies that use paper, with certain kinds of crafts being particularly associated with specific countries or cultures.
In addition to the aesthetic value of paper crafts, various forms of paper crafts are used in the education of children. Paper is a relatively inexpensive medium, readily available, and easier to work with than the more complicated media typically used in the creation of three-dimensional artwork, such as ceramics, wood, and metals.[Carol Tubbs, Margaret Drake, Crafts and Creative Media in Therapy, "Paper crafts", (2006), p. 221-34.] It is also neater to work with than paints, dyes, and other coloring materials. Paper crafts may also be used in psychotherapy settings, providing children with a safe and uncomplicated creative outlet to express feelings.
Folded paper
The word "paper" derives from
papyrus, the name of the ancient material manufactured from beaten reeds in
Egypt as far back as the third millennium B.C.
[ H. Idris Bell and T.C. Skeat, 1935. "Papyrus and its uses" (British Museum pamphlet).] Indeed, the earliest known example of "paper folding" is an ancient Egyptian map, drawn on papyrus and folded into rectangular forms like a modern
road map.
However, it does not appear that intricate paper folding as an art form became possible until the introduction of wood-pulp based papers.
Origami is also a folded paper art. The first Japanese origami is dated from the 6th century A.D.[Lang, Robert James. 1988 (1988). The Complete Book of Origami: Step-by Step Instructions in Over 1000 Diagrams/48 Original Models. Courier Dover Publications. ] In much of the Western world, the term 'origami' is used synonymously with paper folding, though the term properly only refers to the art of paper folding in Japan.[Nick Robinson, The Origami Bible (2004).] Other forms of paper folding include Chinese zhezhi (摺紙), Korean jong'i jeopgi (종이접기), and Western paper folding, such as the traditional paper boats and .
Cut paper
Papel picado, as practiced in Mexico and other places in Latin America is done using chisels to cut 50 to a hundred sheets at a time, while Chinese paper cutting uses knives or scissors for up to 8 sheets.
Wycinanki and other European forms usually are done on one single sheet. In either of these traditions, paper sheets are folded prior to cutting to achieve symmetrical designs.
Paper model
A technique in which you can recreate a 3d model. The polygons of a 3d mesh are unfolded to a printable pattern. With the help of glue tabs, cutting lines, mountain fold lines and valley fold lines the pattern comes together.
Paper pulp painting
Images built using colored paper pulp are a form of paper art that started in the 20th century.
Chuck Close,
Lynn Sures are among contemporary artist developing this medium.
Paper pulp craft is widely used in rural India for making kitchen utility baskets.
Types
See also
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Art movement
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Cartonería, a traditional handcraft in Mexico, of which piñatas are one of many examples
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Creativity techniques
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Decorative arts
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Handicraft
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List of art media
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List of artistic media
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List of art movements
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List of most expensive paintings
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List of most expensive sculptures
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List of art techniques
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List of sculptors
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Multidimensional art
