alt.hn

8/19/2026 at 2:20:10 PM

Manabu Kosaka's Handmade Paper Sculptures

 https://coca11272000.wixsite.com/manabukosaka

by surprisetalk

8/20/2026 at 1:25:55 AM

As I started to browse the gallery, my thinking was that he uses some kind of paper compression technique. But, no, apparently everything is cut out and iteratively stacked and fused almost like 3D printing by hand. The results are something to marvel at.

by Exoristos

8/20/2026 at 2:44:36 PM

One of his YouTube videos[1] has a couple freeze frames showing him carving a three-dimensional shape to form a shoe upper.

1: https://youtu.be/M8YMUMmFbFs?t=9

by istjohn

8/20/2026 at 8:10:00 AM

I didn't find the description very helpful in that regard. I wasn't sure if it was papier maché.

by nephihaha

8/20/2026 at 5:58:29 AM

nice catch

by fitsumbelay

8/20/2026 at 3:32:07 AM

This guy gets serious bonus points for all the typography incorporated into the objects. Even if he didn’t include it the amount of detail is amazing.

by quaddoggy

8/20/2026 at 5:58:18 AM

the tiny typography too, per photos in the post

by fitsumbelay

8/20/2026 at 12:17:16 PM

Something like this can only come from Japan. It's more than just craftsmanship; it's deeply rooted in the culture. Impressive!

by smartmic

8/20/2026 at 1:38:04 AM

Like something straight out of the old internet. Beautiful work.

by throwaway_7274

8/20/2026 at 2:26:42 AM

These are exquisite. I wonder what drew this artist to this medium? What made him sit down and commit himself to such constraints? It certainly doesn't look like the kind of thing one does casually. Did it come to him in a dream? Did it evolve slowly as a pastime since boyhood? Did he think it would help him stand out from other sculptors?

by Paracompact

8/20/2026 at 2:11:00 PM

I do not have the stillness required for intricate work.

I remember spilling acid all over myself in the chem labs in college.

Luckily for us brutes we have math and programming

by vatsachak

8/20/2026 at 3:08:44 PM

This artist was featured in an article in this LA-based magazine:

https://mymodernmet.com/manabu-kosaka-paper-sculptures/

Unfortunately, the interviewer doesn't explain exactly how the sculptures are made: what kind of glue, what kinds of mounting gear, etc.

by ripe

8/20/2026 at 10:50:33 AM

These objects could literally earn millions as pieces of art. All they would need is a gifted agent to chat up the galleries.

by tellwilhelm

8/20/2026 at 2:00:00 PM

Amazing! I wonder what type of adhesive is he using, and how does he apply it?

by atentaten

8/20/2026 at 2:21:40 PM

I would imagine wheat or rice paste.

Edit: He has a lot of footage of him cutting out and placing letters and wires on his YouTube channel, but it doesn't show him applying any adhesive. Now I really want to know how he does it.

by istjohn

8/20/2026 at 8:36:30 AM

There is something genuinely stirring about what humanity builds when looking up to technology, be it a symbolic creation or a feat of engineering. I am deeply fond of these paper gears.

by rackp

8/20/2026 at 3:08:26 AM

Looks amazing, like it would work!

by DrDeese

8/20/2026 at 10:56:18 AM

How on earth does one cut the letters out so small? Any links would be most appreciated!

EDIT: Seems like they post on X. heres a video with some letters being cut out. Its pretty much as you would expect, but with some serious competence! https://x.com/coca1127/status/2088029745221128308

by supermatt

8/20/2026 at 11:43:23 AM

It kind of makes me wonder why we don't see 3D-printers which use paper pulp as the building material .. when I was younger we learned to make our own recycled paper by building the pulp from scraps, and it was an intriguing and inspirational process.

Imagine a 3D printer that you place underneath the shredder tray, add a bit of water too now and then, and come back later to find a nicely printed recyclable widget and/or grommet for much fun.

by aa-jv

8/20/2026 at 2:07:07 PM

Probably because the fibers are so irregular that they would easily jam small applicator tubes. Large extrusions could be done, but the drying times would significantly increase.

by IAmBroom

8/20/2026 at 5:57:51 AM

pretty incredible, but to keep saying it's "just paper" and "only paper" is a bit disingenuous. yes, it's paper but there's an unmentioned extra thing going on that makes it look like a particular _type_ of paper. I see @Exoristos' suggestion of stacking; makes sense if true. Really nice, buttery/creamy effect from gluing who-knows-how-many layers. Still ... pretty incredible work

by fitsumbelay

8/20/2026 at 7:57:03 AM

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by ZeroDayDreamer

8/20/2026 at 11:20:57 AM

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by hnlqpx99l9

8/20/2026 at 3:20:08 AM

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by hdndksks