All Things Paper

Across continents, paper is coming into a league of its own. This program focuses on furniture and home furnishings designed and constructed from paper. In Japan, we meet Kouichi who fashions honeycomb lamps out of paper. Originally a music producer, Kouichi had his first contact with product design in Holland. In America, we meet designer Matt Gagnon. Organic and contemporary, Gagnon’s paper table is the result of countless experimentation. Then, in Taiwan, Chi Shen is making the world sit up with his accordion-like chair which can seat only one or up to 16 people.

From a material as fragile and ephemeral as paper, a new league of jewelry, bags, and even dresses have emerged and taken the fashion world by surprise. This program takes a look at fashion designs made from paper. While paper fashion in the form of clothing and jewelry has made its presence felt since the 1960s, it has never caught on with the public at large. But all that may be changing, thanks to Polly Verity, Naoko Yoshizawa, and Giles Miller, who are turning paper into a choice material for prêt-à-porter. Revamp your wardrobe with their amazing paper fashion wear and accessories.

There is nothing we wouldn’t put in our mouths in our quest for the perfect meal. But paper? This program visits chefs Homaro, Jia Jun, and Yumei at the helm of their respective kitchens—where telling the difference between food and paper may not be so easy. No longer do we have to salivate over a delicious-looking picture—now, thanks to Homaro, we can literally have our picture and eat it too. Imagine eating the menu after placing your dinner order and munching on a photo taken while you are at Homaro’s famed restaurant in Chicago. Nothing is too crazy for Homaro, not even paper Campbell soups! Catch these amazing culinary delights on Paper Medium Rare.

The latest trend that’s creating an unexpected storm in art circles is paper cuttings! This program discovers why paper cuttings are back and how they have undergone a surprising transformation. Get acquainted with world-famous artists Peter Callesen, Kako Ueda, and Takaaki Kihara—who form the new breed of imaginative paper cutters, creating remarkable works of art. Romantic stories, personal reflections, and aspirations form the backdrop to their works. Journey with us through the imaginary landscapes these artists have created from paper.

This program sees one of Japan’s best paper engineers, Keisuke Saka, at work. Specializing in paper automata, Keisuke’s works are darkly humorous and endless fun to construct. Meanwhile, Brian Chan in Boston takes origami to a whole new level of complexity, while Paul Chan fashions paper props from his workshop in Hong Kong. Although their creations are made entirely of paper, they are no more disposable nor less durable than any other work of art. And the fact that Keisuke Saka, Brian Chan, and Paul Chan are adults doesn’t stop them from toying with paper.

This program sees paper taking the form of environmentally friendly paper coffins and exquisite paper offerings for the dead according to the Chinese tradition. The Underworld of Paper explores how these intriguing paper offerings, paper servants, and paper luxury handbags from Hong Kong make shopping for the dead a brand-new experience—while away in England, amazing paper coffins from Eco Coffin are leading the way for environmentally friendly burials. Made from recycled cardboard, these paper coffins with customizable size and design are growing in popularity. From life to afterlife, our paper maestros have it all covered.