They are faceted like precious stones, but they are made of paper (and some other things).

paper sculpture, Kirsten HassenfeldDans la Lune, Kirsten Hassenfeld

“Some friends were visiting from France, and one described speaking with her doctor about a medication. She had inquired if it would make her “dans la lune.” When I asked her what that meant, she said, “dopey, drugged.” Later I looked up the French idiom and found that it referenced daydreaming. “Il est dans la lune” can be translated as “He’s got his head in the clouds,” or “He’s on another planet.” Dans la Lune is a perfect title because in my work I try to create an imaginary place that relates to our longings for a better, grander existence.Hassenfeld describes her work as “a three-dimensional daydream”.  -Kirsten Hassenfeld

paper sculpture, Kirsten HassenfeldUntitled (Star) detail, Kirsten Hassenfeld

She expresses her ambivalence toward materials wealth, power and privilege by creating images of precious objects using paper as a primary material. Her installations are dreamlike, and I would love to wander through her fantastic, created worlds.

paper sculpture, Kristen HassenfeldDollar Dreams, Kristen Hassenfeld

The artist finds inspiration in her collection of auction catalogues and books on decoration.  Her research involves experimenting with new types of paper and methods, and it takes many hours of work hand-cutting, coiling, folding and gluing the various types of archival papers that she uses. See her website: www.kirstenhassenfeld.com.   There is also a nice photo selection of her installations at Bellwether Gallery:  www.bellwethergallery.com

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