Katsumi Hayakawa’s Congested Cities Are Constructed with Scrupulously Cut Paper Buildings

“Bonsai City” (2014), paper, inkjet printing, fake grass, acrylic elements, 8 x 118 x 21 1/2 inches. All images © Katsumi Hayakawa, courtesy of the artist and McClain Gallery, shared with permission

Meticulously cutting each piece by hand, Katsumi Hayakawa crafts dense cityscapes and urban districts from white paper. The Japanese artist assembles towers and various cube-like structures that are positioned in lengthy rows, resembling congested streets. Dotted with primary colors and metallic elements, the sculptures evoke electronic equipment like microchips and motherboards, which references the relationship between modern cities and technology. Hayakawa’s use of an ephemeral, organic material further contrasts the manufactured nature of both urban areas and technological inventions.

To explore more of the artist’s projects that are concerned with the complexity of modern life, head to Artsy.

 

Katsumi Hayakawa’s Congested Cities Are Constructed with Scrupulously Cut Paper Buildings

“Fata Morgana” (2014), paper, inkjet printing, glitter, 25 1/2 x 119 1/2 x 51 1/2 inches

Katsumi Hayakawa’s Congested Cities Are Constructed with Scrupulously Cut Paper Buildings

“Bonsai City” (2014), paper, inkjet printing, fake grass, acrylic elements, 8 x 118 x 21 1/2 inches

Katsumi Hayakawa’s Congested Cities Are Constructed with Scrupulously Cut Paper Buildings

“Bonsai City” (2014), paper, inkjet printing, fake grass, acrylic elements, 8 x 118 x 21 1/2 inches

Katsumi Hayakawa’s Congested Cities Are Constructed with Scrupulously Cut Paper Buildings

“Intersection” (2017), watercolor paper and mixed media, 29 7/16 x 59 1/16 x 5 1/2 inches

Katsumi Hayakawa’s Congested Cities Are Constructed with Scrupulously Cut Paper Buildings

“Intersection” (2017), watercolor paper and mixed media, 29 7/16 x 59 1/16 x 5 1/2 inches

Katsumi Hayakawa’s Congested Cities Are Constructed with Scrupulously Cut Paper Buildings

“Fata Morgana” (2014), paper, inkjet printing, glitter, 25 1/2 x 119 1/2 x 51 1/2 inches

Katsumi Hayakawa’s Congested Cities Are Constructed with Scrupulously Cut Paper Buildings

“See from the side 3” (2014), paper, wood, acrylic reflective sheet, acrylic mirror with blue film, 8 3/4 x 50 1/4 x 11 inches

©

Related Posts

Katsumi Hayakawa’s Congested Cities Are Constructed with Scrupulously Cut Paper BuildingsKatsumi Hayakawa’s Congested Cities Are Constructed with Scrupulously Cut Paper Buildings
Galaxy S25 Ultra design rumor claims it...
Since 2011, Samsung has been launching two flagships a year,...
Read more
instagram worthy: @toast uk / sfgirlbybayinstagram worthy: @toast uk / sfgirlbybay
instagram worthy: @toast.
this week’s instagram worthy account has been a favorite of...
Read more
Katsumi Hayakawa’s Congested Cities Are Constructed with Scrupulously Cut Paper BuildingsKatsumi Hayakawa’s Congested Cities Are Constructed with Scrupulously Cut Paper Buildings
Boring Nightstand Becomes a Playful Bubble Table...
What do you do when you find the perfect furniture...
Read more
Credit: Nomad / F-SecureCredit: Nomad / F-Secure
'A happy accident': How Nomad disrupted cyber...
...
Read more
Katsumi Hayakawa’s Congested Cities Are Constructed with Scrupulously Cut Paper BuildingsKatsumi Hayakawa’s Congested Cities Are Constructed with Scrupulously Cut Paper Buildings
4,983-brick LEGO Emirates Stadium Replica Is Every...
Built in 4,983 pieces, this fan-made LEGO Emirates Stadium doesn’t...
Read more
Katsumi Hayakawa’s Congested Cities Are Constructed with Scrupulously Cut Paper BuildingsKatsumi Hayakawa’s Congested Cities Are Constructed with Scrupulously Cut Paper Buildings
Comment on Beach Hotel Concept Room in...
The idea of a ‘concept room’ in a hospitality development...
Read more