origami expansion: animating paper through motion

This interactive installation, inspired by the verb "to expand" from Richard Serra's 1967 work Verb List, explores the dynamic potential of origami and material behavior. Using parchment paper as the primary material, the project investigates how geometric units can come to life through motion and sensory interaction. The installation consists of origami units that expand and contract rhythmically and respond to user presence via light detection. This project was developed as part of the Creation and Computation course in the Digital Futures graduate program at OCAD University by Shipra Balasubramani and Maryam Dehghani.

Origami & Mechanical movements

The primary goal of the project was to explore how material properties could be challenged and animated through motion. The team aimed to create an interactive installation that could respond to environmental stimuli, particularly light, while maintaining a sense of organic, lifelike movement. Additionally, the project sought to investigate how individual origami units could interact and influence each other within a collective system.

Concept & Development Process

The concept stemmed from the exploration of expansion through origami, an ancient art form that transforms flat paper into sculptural objects. Inspired by the mechanical and aesthetic possibilities of origami, the team initially experimented with aluminium foil to create origami units. However, the challenges of working with aluminium led to the adoption of parchment paper due to its non-stick properties and resistance to humidity.

During the prototyping phase, various origami folds were explored to align with the action verb "to expand." The first prototype utilized the magic ball fold, combined with a standard servo and a light-dependent resistor (LDR) sensor. This prototype responded to changes in light: the origami piece remained in motion when exposed to light and entered an idle state when the sensor was covered. The motion was deliberately slow, with the servo moving between 80 and 180 degrees, to evoke a sense of organic, subtle expansion.

Further development led to the selection of the "Four Square Flasher" fold due to its ability to anchor effectively and create larger, more dynamic movements from a single point of actuation. This fold allowed the installation to embody the concept of expansion and contraction in a visually compelling manner while facilitating smooth mechanical movement.

Installation Description

The final installation comprises a 30 cm x 30 cm surface made up of individual origami units that expand and contract rhythmically. These units are mounted on a cardboard box, which houses the hardware, wiring, and power source. Slits and sockets cut into the box accommodate the origami units, servos, and LEDs, allowing for smooth mechanical movement and sensor integration. The interaction design involves two primary states:

• Idle State: The origami units remain in continuous motion, expanding and contracting through servo actuation. Each unit contains an LED that alternates between high and low brightness, complementing the rhythmic movement.

• Aware State: The installation responds to user presence via the LDR sensor. When the sensor is covered, the origami units stop moving, freezing in their current state. The LED brightness level remains fixed at the moment of detection. Once uncovered, the units resume their rhythmic motion.

The installation is designed to accommodate single or multiple users, encouraging viewers to engage with the piece and observe how their presence influences the system's behaviour.