What’s your first instinct when you finish a cup of instant noodles or a box of cookies? Probably to throw the package straight into the garbage. Well, that’s not the approach of a Japanese artist known as Harukiru. Instead of throwing away the packages, he turns them into impressive pieces of art.
Harukiru uses a technique known as kirigami, which itself represents a variation of the Japanese art of folding paper origami. In origami, the paper is folded without any interventions like cutting. In kirigami, the cutting is allowed, resulting in art that is more three-dimensional.
The kirigami art that Harukiru crafts is often inspired by anime, futuristic warriors, animal and marine world, and pop culture. However, he often also makes bigger pieces, including buildings and castles. Regardless of the size, each of his creations is highly detailed, which is even more impressive knowing that he works with limited material.
For example, he turned the package for Meji milk chocolate into a wizard sitting on an altar. The box of Chocochips Cookies became a piano while Cup Noodles cup was turned into an anime character.
Harukiru’s kirigami pieces have been exhibited in galleries, while he also shares them on social media. Check out more below.
