WELCOME!
WHAT IS ORIGAMI?
The word “origami” is a combination of two
Japanese words: “ori” (which means “folding”) and
“kami” (which means “paper”). Though the name
comes from Japan, we use it to describe art made
by creatively folding paper, no matter the culture of
origin, and today, origami is a popular art practiced
around the world.
You will find 25 displays featuring 40 origami-inspired sculptures along walking paths at
The Morton Arboretum. As you explore, we hope you’ll reflect on this art form’s connection
to nature: Trees are transformed into paper, and paper is folded into intricate designs that
have been recast in surprising sizes using other materials—now displayed among
a celebrated collection of trees from around the world.
Since paper deteriorates as it ages, it is difficult to
trace an exact timeline for the origins of origami. The
history has literally disintegrated! We do know that
paper was invented around 105 A.D. in China, and
since then many cultures have used folded paper to
make items both practical and decorative. It was the
Japanese who first established an origami tradition,
dating back at least to the Edo period (1603-1867).
The goal of origami is to transform a flat sheet of
paper, usually without making any cuts, glue, or
marks on the paper, into a 3D sculpture using folds
(which are broken into specific techniques such as
pleats, crimps, twists, and tesselations).
You can see the influence of origami in many places
today, including architecture, fashion, package design,
and, of course, paper planes.
CREATE YOUR OWN!
Cut this program into four squares to make your own Origami creations! Try out this tree below.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
FROM PAPER TO METAL
Works by Santa Fe-based artist Kevin Box appear
in galleries, museums, and public art collections
worldwide. His path to the creation of this exhibition
began when he was a young man. He learned metal
casting and developed a unique style that marries
paper with the age-old tradition of bronze casting.
Working alongside his wife, Jennifer, and partnering
with a handful of origami experts, Box debuted
Origami in the Garden at the Santa Fe Botanical
Garden in 2014.
Each sculpture begins with a blank sheet of paper and
travels through a 35-step, 12-week process of casting in
bronze, aluminum, or steel. Artist Kevin Box forges each
sculpture by hand and completes the work with finishes
that mimic the original paper’s look. “By experimenting
directly with paper and wax and working in a lost wax
foundry for several years, I developed an ‘organic
burnout’ process specifically for paper that captures all
of its intimate details,” he says. “The technique took me
two years of tireless experimentation to develop and
seven years to perfect.”
fold paper in half, crease
well, then unfold
fold top
point back
©2017 The Morton Arboretum All rights reserved.
Spring Ikebana
Saturday, June 10, 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.
Learn about the simple, yet elegant, art of
Japanese floral arranging in this hands-on class.
Enroll at mortonarb.org.
Origami Extravaganza
Saturday, June 10 and Sunday, June 11,
11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Join origami enthusiast Marilyn Schweitzer as she
demonstrates the art of transforming paper.
Included in Arboretum admission.
From East to West: History and
Horticulture in the Asia Collections
Friday, June 9 or Saturday, June 17,
10:00 a.m. to noon
Explore our Asian tree collections with an expert on
this guided walking tour. Enroll at mortonarb.org.
Nature Rx: Forest Therapy Walks
Select Wednesdays, June 14 through July 26,
6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
A certified forest therapy guide will help you
discover the healing properties of Shinrin-Yoku.
Enroll at mortonarb.org.
Craft Beer Festival
Saturday, June 24, 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Listen to live music among the trees as you sip
brews from 40 different makers. Purchase ahead of
time for best prices and limited VIP tickets. Tickets
at mortonarb.org.
Wednesdays, Woods, and Wine
Wednesday, June through August, 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Unwind with live music and drinks in the Arboretum’s
courtyard. Tickets available at the door.
Thursday Family Nights
Thursdays, June through August
Delight in performances, kid-friendly fare, and games
for all ages in the four-acre Children’s Garden.
Included in Arboretum admission.
CONNECT WITH US
#OrigamiTMA
#mortonarboretum
4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle, IL 60532
630-968-0074 • mortonarb.org
The Morton Arboretum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies on the generosity of members and donors.
Your visits and contributions support our work as the champion of trees.
In keeping with The Morton Arboretum’s goal to plant and conserve trees, this paper contains recycled post-consumer fiber.
Hands-On Origami
Daily, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Use your imagination and paper folding skills in the
Children’s Garden. Included in Arboretum admission.
fold bottom
point back
fold top flap down
fold top edges down to
meet the center crease
turn over
turn over
REASONS TO RETURN
25K_04/17_R-Op50 80#T_KLM_offset
UNFOLDING ORIGAMI:
RELATED ACTIVITIES
fold sides in to meet
middle crease
created by artists Kevin and Jennifer Box
Sponsor
May 19 through October 22, 2017
Map, Guide, and Activities
Learn more about this exhibit at mortonarb.org/origami.
complete!
Meadow Lake
AN INDOOR MIGRATION
Stop by the Sterling Morton Library in the Administration
and Research Center, where a flock of colored paper
cranes has landed. Find all ten to win a prize!
Library Hours:
Tuesday through Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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Visitor
Center
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2
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24
25
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20
4
6 5
L
7
8
10
Maze
Garden
9
Administration &
Research Center
Children’s
Garden
Hedge
Garden
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11
13
1
Botanical Peace
9
Spirit House
18
Light Boat
2
Basket Full of Stars
10
Crane Unfolding
19
Folding Planes
3
Peace Pattern &
11
Butterfly Unfolded,
Metamorphosis Mandala 12
Sway With Me
20
Emerging Peace
Flying Folds
21
Paper Navigators
4
Seed Sower
13
Rock Paper Scissors
22
Migrating Peace
5
Star Unfolding
14
White Bison
23
Who Saw Who
6
Rising Cranes
15
Painted Ponies
24
Folding Chairs
7
Gathering Peace
16
Flight of Folds
25
Master Peace
8
Double Happiness
17
Hero’s Horse
L
Sterling Morton
Library
15
14
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YOUR PHONE, YOUR TOUR GUIDE
You can use your cell phone to tailor your experience and enrich your journey through this exhibition
in two ways. Learn more about any sculpture by calling 888-495-7736 and following instructions. Or
download the free Morton Arboretum app for your Android or iPhone (visit mortonarb.org/app).
You’ll find written tours of Origami in the Garden and other highlights of our collections.
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SHARE YOUR PHOTOS!
We want to see Origami in the Garden through your eyes.
Share your photos via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram using
#OrigamiTMA for your chance to win a $100 Arboretum
gift card.