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Dr Matthew Gardiner is an artist most well known for his work with origami and robotics. He coined the term Oribot 折りボト in 2003, and since works in the field of art/science research called Oribotics: a field of research that thrives on the aesthetic, biomechanic, and morphological connections between nature, origami and robotics.


Gardiner is the Head of Art Science Research Strategies at the Ars Electronica Futurelab and recipient of two FWF PEEK Art Science Research Projects. Research work is currently ongoing, results, artworks and publications are documented on https://orilab.art


This site contains a collection of selected works, video documentation, photographs and research. Some items can be purchased directly, however, if you have interest to exhibit, commission or purchase an artwork, please contact Matthew.


  oribokit robotic origami kit

Oribokit: Gardening for Robots introduces a new artscience-kit by Ars Electronica Futurelab researcher Matthew Gardiner. The kit allows you to make your own robotic garden at home. The assembled kit grafts onto a tree branch and is designed to minimise materials usage and maximise modular recyclability for robotic origami applications.

oribokit robotic origami kit

  The Folded Geometry of the Universe

For The Folded Geometry of the Universe* my inspiration came from examining the scale of folds in nature as criteria to understand folds. We theorise that folds exist at all scales of nature, from the nanoscale of folds in strings of DNA, pleats in paper at the origami scale, craggy mountains and valleys folds formed by the awesome crushing power of tectonic plates, and much much larger it is theorised, that the shape of the universe is folded, that gravity and dark matter fold the shape and fabric of the universe.

The Folded Geometry of the Universe

  Light is Time Folds are Space

Light is Time Folds are Space is a large scale installation of hundreds of folded forms with an algorithmic variance and lit with a lighting sequence intended to simulate the passage of the sun over the course of day.

Light is Time Folds are Space

  Oribotics [Tokyo Design Touch]

Oribotics at Tokyo Design Touch was the Japanese premiere of oribotics. Shortly after arriving the title shifted from oribotic オリボチク to oribo オリボ or even better to include the kanji for fold 折りボ(like aibo or asimo) a very cute name with a rounder sound.

Oribotics [Tokyo Design Touch]

  Oribotics A brief history

Learn about the origins and history of Oribotics, dating from 2004, including a list of exhibitions and world premiers of Oribotics.

Oribotics A brief history

  Oribotics [Laboratory]

Oribotics [laboratory] was a collaboration between Matthew Gardiner and Aphids, especially Artistic Director David Young as Composer, and was shown over two nights at the Asialink centre at Melbourne University in 2005.

Oribotics [Laboratory]

  Neben der Nibelungenbrucke

My Ars Electronica Festival 2020 Kepler's Garden has two projects, one is a robotic origami kit available at https://oribokit.com and this Augmeneted Reality project is the other. This project asks you to place a sausage stand, beer, leberkas semmel or bratwürstl in your own town and remember an Ars Electronica Festival.

Neben der Nibelungenbrucke

  ORI*

Origami and Robotics led to the discovery of the field of Oribotics, and from this convergent field, significant questions relating nature, technology and folding emerge. A collaboration with Ars Electronica Futurelab.

ORI*

  BalletLab Origami

A collaboration with Balletlab's director Phillip Adams.

BalletLab Origami

  ZigZag

Trouble on Planet Earth, by The Border Project won the Ruby Award for Innovation and Best Show at the 2008 Adelaide Fringe.

ZigZag

  Radiobots

RadioBots is an artwork by Matthew Gardiner, in collaboration with Etheira Technologies, Aphids and Speak Percussion "meticulously constructed objects... the sonic force reverberates around the rooms and halls to sybiotic effect - what seems like an infestation of the alien quickly becomes a polyvocal chorus of the environment... an agent of purest bedlam."RealTime]

Radiobots

  Oribotics [.de]

Oribotics [.de] 2008 Exhibited at the Künstlerdorf Schöppingen May 2009 for the 20 year Jubillee.

Oribotics [.de]

  Residencies

Matthew Gardiner has had the good fortune to have been selected for a number of artistic residencies, and they are the most rewarding, productive and creative times, period.

Residencies

  On Oribotics

Oribotics is a field of study concerned with origami and robotics, and more broadly with folding and technology. Watch video interviews/documentaries featuring Matthew Gardiner on the topic of his Oribotics.

On Oribotics

  Synthetic Memetic

Rick Rolling combined with the present-day terror of police DNA tagging technologies form the basis of this social commentary on Synthetic Biology, genetics, memetics, and the mechanisms of control.

Synthetic Memetic

  Oribotics [origin]

Oribotics [origin] premiered at the Next Wave Festival, May 18-30th 2004 at TCB Gallery. It was the first exhibition by Matthew Gardiner of his new field of research: Oribotics.

Oribotics [origin]

  Oribotics [Network]

Oribotics [network] was a unique art and technology installation in the Atrium at Federation Square, Melbourne, Australia, drawing on cutting edge research in biology, computing, and scientific origami. Visitors discoverer living biomimetic works attached to the glass panes of the Atrium’s Fracture Galleries.

Oribotics [Network]

  Giant Origami

Collaborations with Matthew Gardiner, the Melbourne Origami Group, architects, choreographers and designers on many large scale origami projects. By far the largest was Origami House, a full size house folded from paper.

Giant Origami

  oriiro

IRO-ORI (Japanese) means colour-fold (farbenfalt in German), and is the title of a news series of paintings by Matthew Gardiner.

oriiro

  Oribotics [futurelab]

Oribotics [futurelab] is Matthew Gardiner's current artist project as the direct result of an artistic residency at the Ars Electronica Futurelab in 2010. Oribotics [futurelab] will premiere at the 2010 Ars Electronica Festival.

Oribotics [futurelab]

  Everything Origami

Everything Origami is the ultimate guide to origami for beginners and experienced hobbyists alike. Containing step-by-step instructions on how to...


Everything Origami

  Designer Origami

Designer Origami is the ultimate guide to the stylish, creative and innovative world of origami design. More than just folded paper, origami...


Designer Origami

  ORI* Volume 1

ORI* The Art and Science of Origami and Technology Works 2015–2017. Volume 1. ISBN: 978-0-6484076-0-7...


ORI* Volume 1

  ORI*Universe Pendant

Hang an ORI*Universe around your neck to remind you of how amazing your place is in its folds. At the core of my artistic practice, I attempt to...


ORI*Universe Pendant

We acknowledge the Wuthaurong people on whose lands we live and work. Sovereignty was never ceded and we pay our respect to past, present, and future Aboriginal elders and community, and to their long and rich history of artmaking on this Country.