Nikhil Patel is 3rd-year studying Computational & Applied Math, Computer Science, and Education. He has been doing origami on and off since elementary school, and thanks to UChicagOrigami, he has found a wonderful community of fellow origamists in college. What he loves about origami is how paradoxically simple yet complex it is; you can make any shape you want, no matter how intricate, yet it always comes from a humble square of paper (or rectangle if you’re willing to engage in some light blasphemy).

This exhibit features several modular pieces made of many interlocking pieces folded from 3-inch kami paper. Folding these models is a unique experience; they take a long time but are not particularly difficult or stressful to fold or assemble, making them the perfect way to decompress. What’s better than getting a blanket and a warm drink, pulling up your favorite movie, and folding 90 simple origami units?

Please note the patterns of colors on these models. Much time was spent trying to find a color scheme for each one that would preserve as many interesting symmetries as possible. For each model, try isolating just one color in your mind and seeing what shape those pieces make.

 

PHiZZ Dodecahedron
3in. kami x 30
Thomas Hull

PHiZZ Truncated Icosahedron
3in. kami x 90
Thomas Hull

Penultimate Cube
3in. kami x 12
Robert Neale

Penultimate Dodecahedron
3in. kami x 30
Robert Neale

Penultimate Truncated Icosahedron
3in. kami x 90
Robert Neale

Sonobe Icosahedron
3in. kami x 120
Mitsonobu Sonobe

Spiky Dodecahedron
3in. kami x 30

Spiky Rhombicosidodecahedron
3in. kami x 60