Origami in the Garden

Origami in the Garden is now closed.

April 13 – September 30, 2018
9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Origami in the Garden is presented by Altria Group.

Hero's Horse from Origami in the Garden at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Image by Tom Hennessy

A premier art exhibit of origami bronze, steel and aluminum sculptures is making its mid-Atlantic debut at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden this spring and summer. Origami in the Garden is an exhibition of larger-than-life outdoor sculpture inspired by the art of paper folding. Santa Fe artist Kevin Box collaborates with his wife, Jennifer Box and origami masters Robert J. Lang, Te Jui Fu, Michael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander to celebrate the art of origami in museum quality sculpture and educational programming.

  • 16 vignettes featuring 21 sculptures
  • some sculptures are over  7 feet tall; others are small as a mouse
  • all are based on prototypes created with origami: one folded sheet of paper, no cuts
  • forms are cast in bronze, steel, and aluminum
  • artist Kevin Box creates these using a unique process he developed in order to capture the delicate details of paper in museum-quality metals using the lost wax technique
  • installed throughout the Garden with many associated activities and programs
  • celebrates nature, the "master origami artist," seen in everything from leaves unfurling to butterflies emerging from a chrysalis
  • visit the Garden's Library to explore four unfolded wall hangings displayed with the four corresponding folded origami pieces

Exhibit and related activities included with Garden admission.
$13 adults
$11 seniors 55+ Origami cranes from Origami in the Garden at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Image by Tom Hennessy $8 Children (age 3-12)
Free for Children under 3
Free for Garden Members
Tickets are available at the Garden 9 a.m to 5 p.m daily and can be bought at the door. You can also purchase tickets online (with a small convenience fee).

Origami in the Garden at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Image by Tom Hennessy

Scroll down to see photos and learn more about the Origami in the Garden and related programming. View or print a map (PDF) of the Origami in the Garden sculptures at Lewis Ginter.

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The Sculptures

Painted Ponies, by Kevin Box and Te Jui Fu

This is the first colorful collaboration between Box and an origami artist, Te Jui Fu. They used a technique called Katagami, which means to cut. The Chinese symbol on the back side of the large pony is a collaborative signature. Te Jui's last name Fu, translates as teacher or tutor and the box that surrounds it symbolizes Box's last name.

Painted Ponies is sponsored by Patient First.

White Bison, by Kevin Box and Robert J. Lang

This was Box's first collaboration with a world renowned origami master. The bison is folded from a single, uncut square of paper. For this design they employed a technique called Duogami, which means they used two-sided paper, one side was white and the other side was silver. The white bison is a symbol of peace to many Native Americans.

Rock Paper Scissors, by Kevin Box

Rock Paper Scissors is a game of chance, a way of making decisions or resolving conflicts for not so serious things. This childhood game is great fun when deciding who gets to sit in the front seat or who gets the last piece of cake but serious matters take careful consideration and conversation.

Flying Peace, by Kevin Box and Robert J. Lang

When Kevin Box and Robert J. Lang get together, their creatively is complex, time-consuming and inspiring. They begin with concepts and ideas they have been working on independently and seek out possible overlaps in their visions. "Flying Peace" was one of those overlaps and happens to be the most complicated origami crane ever, folded form on uncut paper square. This collaboration exemplifies Lang's world-renowned folding ability and Box's technical skill in casting.