Paper Models n Pop Up Books...or....Playing

Let’s face it, it’s good to remain a child at heart – to be able to play as a child, to potter, to create, to be ‘in the moment’. As children most of us had some contact with paper dolls, models and pop up books. To me they were intriguing, consuming and magical. So in this post I’ll share some favourites being made by big people - paper artists and engineers - in the hope that they will inspire each of us to keep playing in our own way in 2009.

New Year Cat Cube – download free here.

If you’d prefer your model printed, precut and prescored drop by Canadian artist Gabe Wong’s store and pick up some of his Blockheads.

Maybe you’re drawn to a different type of model. How about a geisha doll kit from Melbourne artist Dust of Enchantment.

Or, you might like a model already made up and just waiting to be played with! Visit Sharlz N Dollz for original paper dolls handmade in Brisbane, Australia.

Pick up another premade model at Coffee Monkey where playing cards and other ephemera are incorporated into art dolls.

Sydney based artist Anna-Wili Highfield makes intricate paper models on commission having spent time working for Opera Australia as a Scenic Artist.

If you like pop up books with a difference Thomas Allen inspires by playing with vintage pulp fiction books, cutting, arranging, lighting and photographing.

And Danish artist Peter Callesen certainly knows how to wield a pair of scissors.
Looking Back

Want to try making some pop ups of your own? Carol Barton from Popular Kinetics Press has published numerous artist book editions of her own and shares her skills in workbooks available for purchase.
Five Luminous Towers, A Book to be Read in the Dark by Carol Barton
Offset printing, laser-cut pop-ups, light and batteries, edition of 50

When you’ve engineered your paper you can take it to great heights by using your work as the basis for animated videos. Katy Davis from Gobblynne Animation has utilised books, paper and digital manipulation to produce this beautiful artwork, Stay In My Memory.

Another Australian artist, Andrew Buchanan of Outhouse Animations, has created this complex piece, Looking For Joe.

Think that this is all a bit too difficult? Feeling overwhelmed? Then North Queensland artist Blossomnbird has kindly posted details on her blog showing us step by step how she turns her cute paper dolls into movie stars.



Away With Doris and Boris

So my News Years' Wish for you is that you will spend your year as the happy, carefree, inspired cherished child that you are. Happy Playin!