A shining star Giota Kaiopoulou from Thessaloniki, Greece did a spectacular job blending two very complicated arts together – origami and fashion. Started in 2004, Giota was a pioneer weaving these two concepts together. She created this project titled, “Origami Flowers”, which was also the perfect final project for her Fashion Degree at a local university in Greece. What a visionary Giota is because today we see origami fashion everywhere!

Upon her graduation, she applied and was accepted for the 13th Biennial of Young Artists from Europe and Mediterranean. It is sponsored by the International Assocation of the Biennial of Young Artists from Europe and the Mediterranean(BJCEM). This organization is a network which gathers 71 members from 20 countries, locals, ministries, associations, cultural institutions, and is open to the membership of local and national bodies from Europe and the Mediterranean.

The mission of this organization is to promote the creativity of young artists, encourage international exchanges, and develop pacific relations across the Mediterranean. What a great accomplishment, Giota to be recognized with this wonderful organization!

During a recent holiday to Istanbul, Turkey (which is also one of the most popular places to explore these days), I discovered a striking similarity between origami and the beautiful mosques and palaces that I visited. The Blue Mosque, Topkapı Palace, and Rüstem Pasha Camii all had its own distinct beauty and character, but it is quite evident there is one element that binds them together – their geometric structures. And because origami is comprised of geometric shapes as well, we can relate Islamic art to origami.

Additionally, it cannot be coincidental that the beautiful geometry designed on these architectural gems somehow parallel origami tessellations. Similar to origami, architecture is also one of the few art forms that combine both subjects of math and art to construct the unimaginable. So it should be no surprise that we discover origami folding patterns in Islamic architecture.

One final element that makes me love Islamic architecture even more – the symbolism. The creators of the mosques and palaces had this one particular symbolism behind these endless geometric patterns – that they evoke the idea of limitless boundaries and express an enduring spiritual life. As these big and bold architectural gems created lasting legacies, I hope origami continues to flourish and grow into its own.

Photo above: Topkapı Palace

Photo above: Rüstem Pasha Camii

To learn more about origami tessellations and Islamic Design, go out and grab a copy of Eric Gjerde’s book, Origami Tessellations, while you’re at it, take a look at his blog.

Photo above: thiomor’s flickr

Photo above: by Christine Edison

Photo above: by Yoshi, who we featured in a previous post