Porigami, the Prague-based paper arts studio founded by Czech architect Tereza Hradilková, employs a mix of technicality and craft within the work they do. There is a story behind the name – ‘Pori was the childhood nickname given to Hradilková by her sister, combined with ‘Gami’ which means ‘paper’ in Japanese. She spent seven years in Japan, and while there, was inspired by origami, the ancient Japanese art of paper folding.
There is a vivid correlation between Hradilková’s architectural background and the detailed paper structures she brings to life. Using beautiful sheets of paper, a pencil, laser cutter, custom stamps, glue and handmade skill, Porigami creates cards, decorations, installations and three-dimensional books. Describing her process, she says, ‘‘I like to sit in front of a blank sheet of paper and wait for my hands to draw, bend, cut and staple it.’
For her 2023 Moravian Glory Foundation card project, Hradilková was asked by Helena Dařbujánová, the curator of the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library exhibition, ‘Contemporary Takes on Folk Motifs’ to create a promotional card. The exhibit showcased the designs and patterns of Moravian folk art throughout the ages. Using sketches of layered skirts, flowered hats and high heeled boots to start the process, the playful and narrative card, printed on Freelife Merida, ‘pays tribute to the traditional Moravian women’s costumes in a modern way.’
After her sketching phase, Hradilková shifts to a digital process where the paper is cut within a precision of 0.1mm. She shares that the juxtaposition of technical laser cuts combined with imperfect scanned Linocut prints fit together nicely.
