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Origami X-Ray Skeletons of Endangered Animals

Apr 27, 2011 08:00 PM

The ancient craft of origami gets an update in Oritsunagumono, where environmentalism meets photoelectricity for the first time. Its name translates into "things folded and connected," and its agenda aims to bring awareness of the environmental impact of pollution to native marine wildlife in Japan's coastal waterways.

Skeletal drawing of a bird in flight.

Takayuki Hori's origami works won first place in the 2010 Mitsubishi Chemical Junior Designer Competition for his ingenious portrayal of eight endangered species consumed by human rubbish. The animal skeletons (waterfowl, sea turtle, etc.) are delicately printed on transparent sheets and intricately folded into three-dimensional x-ray representations.

The only color comes from the swallowed trash rotting inside the bellies of the birds and reptiles (a syringe being the most poignant piece of garbage). It's an obvious reminder of life's fragility, bound by a wonderful array of skeletonized origami. Horribly beautiful? Quite possibly.

Artistic representation of a bird skeleton displayed in a transparent structure on a glowing surface.

X-ray image of a scorpion displaying skeletal structure.

Art exhibition displaying illuminated artwork against a dark gallery backdrop.

Abstract illustration of a bird skeleton.

Dining setup with illuminated tables and framed artwork on the wall.

Bird wings and skeletal structure illustration.

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