Cane Series (2017-)

by Erik Demaine and Martin Demaine

These pieces are based on our “glass cane” mathematical font that imagines each letter of the alphabet as an arrangement of small black cylinders within a larger clear cylinder that get pulled and twisted to make complex new designs for glass cane. The sculptures are made from multiple pieces of paper, each printed with the full cane alphabet from A-Z (twice), then folded along curved creases and twisted further into 3D pieces.

Paper Pieces

[0581] “Twisted Alphabet” (2017), Mi-Teintes watercolor paper, 9" × 9" × 15" high:

[0606] “Twisted Twisted” (2018), Mi-Teintes watercolor paper, 8" × 10" × 14" high:

[0634] “Helix of Helices” (2019), Mi-Teintes watercolor paper, 10" × 10" × 13" high:


Paper and Glass Pieces

[H0373] “Glass Hugs” (2016), Mi-Teintes watercolor paper and hand-blown glass, 8" × 5" × 10" high:

[H0382] Mi-Teintes watercolor paper and hand-blown glass, 3" × 8" × 13" high (2017):

[H0402] “Twist and Fold” (2018), Mi-Teintes watercolor paper and hand-blown glass, 7" × 7" × 13" high:


Original Sheet of Paper

Here is the unfolded piece of paper:


Other Curved Crease Sculpture by Demaine & Demaine

Last updated March 3, 2023 by Erik Demaine.Accessibility