“It’s a bit of Japanese origami, and also of the paper folding technique from Black Mountain College.” –Paul Lanier, Asawa’s son
![](https://ruthasawa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/01-kemo300.jpg)
Asawa with Origami Fountains, Japantown, 1982. Photo by Kelly Mooney.
Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.
![](https://ruthasawa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/02-UNKN708-2.jpg)
One of the original Origami Fountains in corten steel. Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.
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Originally welded in corten steel, the fountains were cast in bronze in 1999. Photo by Aiko Cuneo.
Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.
![](https://ruthasawa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/04-LACU322.jpg)
Asawa and daughter-in-law Terry with paperfolds, c. 1975. Photo by Laurence Cuneo,
Photo and Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.
![](https://ruthasawa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/05-LACU702.jpg)
Daughters Aiko and Addie helped Asawa make the paperfold model, 1975. Photo by Laurence Cuneo.
Photo and Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.
![](https://ruthasawa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/06-UNKN3002.jpg)
Asawa teaching paper folding, c. 1980s. Courtesy Estate of Ruth Asawa
![](https://ruthasawa.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/07-flowers-proc.jpg)
Cast concrete sculpted with children of the neighboring shopkeepers. Photo by James Jue.
Artwork © 2021 RAL, Inc.