Computational Origami is Paper Art That Folds Itself!

We've showcased some amazing <a href="http://inhabitat.com/tag/origami/" target="_blank">origami</a> work before on Inhabitat, but this is the first time we've encountered paper art that actually folds itself! These extraordinary paper sculptures by Martin and<a href="http://erikdemaine.org" target="_blank"> Erik Demaine</a> are made up of pre-creased papers designed to bend and fold naturally due to gravity. Called Computational Origami, the pieces completely reimagine the ancient art of paper-folding.

The stunning pieces are part of their ongoing experiments where the Demaines search for complete comprehension of the entire system.

But while they keep plying away to find the formula behind the art, we hope they continue creating such beautiful pieces.

This series is made up of a triptych called “Computational Origami”.

Here, each piece is connected together using multiple circular pieces of paper.

Some of their work is now part of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) permanent collection.

The Demaine's website says: "The title “Computational Origami” refers to our underlying algorithmic goal of determining the mathematical curved surface that results from different kinds of pleated folding.

This kind of “self-folding origami” may have applications to deployable structures

This can compress very small by folding tightly and later relax into its natural curved form.