The Limit Does Not Exist: Robert J. Lang And The Math Of Origami

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Can you mathematicize art? We dive into that question and lots more with master origami artist Dr. Robert J. Lang on this week's episode of The Limit Does Not Exist.

Lang has been an avid student of origami for over forty years and is now recognized as one of the world’s leading masters of the art, with over 500 designs catalogued and diagrammed. Along the way to his current career as a full-time origami artist and consultant, Lang worked as a physicist, engineer, and R&D manager, during which time he authored or co-authored over 80 technical publications and 50 patents awarded and pending on semiconductor lasers, optics, and integrated optoelectronics.

In addition to writing many books about origami, Lang has created two computer programs to help origami artists implement their designs: TreeMaker, which translates “tree” forms—that is, anything that sort of resembles a stick figure, such as people or bugs—into crease patterns, and ReferenceFinder, which converts the patterns into step-by-step folding instructions. In 2004, Lang was an artist-in-residence at MIT, and gave a famous lecture about origami and its relationship to mathematical notions, like circle packing and tree theory. His TED Talk, "The Math And Magic Of Origami," is a must-watch. 

In our discussion with Lang, you’ll hear how computer programs support making better art and discover some astonishing applications of origami folding techniques—including medical, electrical, optical, or nanotechnical devices, and even strands of DNA. Lang shares how he knew he had to take the leap to becoming a full-time origami artist and pinpoints the driving force that powers both his love for engineering and origami. We also discuss the world’s most beautiful math equation, and the unique combination of elegance and surprise that makes math so beautiful. 

Lang shared a lot of quotable wisdom, and here are just a few examples:

Math is about the study of patterns and relationships; it's far broader than mere numbers or algebra.

There’s one drive that powered both my origami and engineering interests, and that is the desire to make things.

I find that tools help me create better art.

It's pretty hard to teach someone to just see the solution. But I can teach how to design the way I can: by breaking it down into little steps and using math as the glue.

And here are additional links you may be looking for:

• Lang's website with books, software and more
• The New Yorker article on Lang
• Nick Robinson's books; Gay Merrill Gross's books
• Beth Johnson's origami work

As always, Broke for Free and C-Doc (here and here) provided the tracks for our show. 

Thanks for listening. If you have questions, feedback, or followup questions, tag us on Instagram or send us a tweet!

Happy folding, C & C