Erik and Martin Demaine: Puzzling with Paper

In cahoots with his father Martin, the Demaines—who are featured in the upcoming Craft in America episode, SCIENCE—use artwork on their trajectory towards truth. They fold pieces of paper by hand along geometrically-derived lines and magically transform flat sheets into intricately curved constructions—while at the same time proving math theorems! The exploration doesn’t stop there. They plot out the pattern of a sunflower’s face, improvise pathways of hot glass on paper, extract Shakespeare’s words, as well as write programs that generate three-dimensional and animated fonts. The duo has a stimulating generative practice that blends disciplines from math to zoology. 

Craft in America, Erik and Martin Demaine
Devil’s Gold, 2021
Craft in America, Erik and Martin Demaine
Silenced, 2014
Craft in America, Erik and Martin Demaine
Pan Albers Cluster, 2019
Craft in America, Erik and Martin Demaine
Bonfire, 2016
Craft in America, Erik and Martin Demaine
Helix of Helices, 2019
Craft in America, Erik and Martin Demaine
Horns, 2012
Geometric folded paper sculptures by Erik and Martin Demaine, Craft in America
Phylotaxis 959, 2017

Virtual Gallery

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This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts.
To find out more about how National Endowment for the Arts grants impact individuals and communities, visit www.arts.gov.