handmade paper sculptures by zim & zou
Zim & Zoo redefines vintage boombox and cassette tapes as live handmade sculptures made entirely of paper. Designers Lucie Thomas and Thibault Zimmermann create these works of art by layering, cutting and folding by hand, using colored paper. The series begins with a boombox, as designers cut paper to form the two speakers on each side and the central panel of buttons and controls.
The surface shows lines and circles that replicate the actual speaker array, and the middle section includes paper buttons, sliders, and a cassette slot. Zim & Zou’s handmade paper sculpture uses blocks of color to separate each function, even focusing on small details like buttons, in rows. These parts are labeled and the cartridge slot has a thin opening. The small lines show volume levels and sound cues, layered as the designers cut the paper into thin strips and place one on top of the other.
all images courtesy of Zim & Zou
Reimagining the vintage boombox and cassettes
Another set of handmade paper sculptures by Zim & Zou are the tapes. Here, the designers cut out small rectangular objects, with each strip having two round parts inside, which represent the cylinders. These circles are made in layers, with the body of the tape made from folded sheets of paper. The boombox appears with more parts visible. The handle is at the top, made of folded strips of paper, and the sides show vents and small openings.
The vintage boombox and cassettes replicate the design of the original devices, just in a more vibrant palette. The series also shows a contrast between time periods because these objects are from the past, but the technique to bring them to life as handmade paper sculptures is current. Back to Basics II presents these vintage boomboxes and cassettes as playful reminders of the devices of yesteryear. In a way, they explain how the sound device is made and used, allowing viewers to study their parts while being showered with color.
Zim & Zou reimagine vintage boomboxes and cassettes as living handmade sculptures
Designers Lucie Thomas and Thibault Zimmermann create these works of art by layering, cutting and folding by hand
the designers cut the paper to form the two speakers on each side
detailed view of paper sculptures
even the buttons and controls are handmade
