CHEM - 055. Appreciating Paper: The Chemistry of Making, Recycling, and Using the Medium

3 credit(s)
This course will have an informational discussion of the role chemistry plays in the paper industry. Topics will include the chemistry of how paper is made, what gives it its strength, and what makes it recyclable. We will then move on to the topic of greening up of the environment as it pertains to paper production; the ecological, social, and engineering aspects of paper production and recycling, as well as the act of making your own paper from readily available sources (the students will get to do this in class). Continuing the discussion of the use of paper as a medium, we will focus on the use of paper as an artistic medium. Whether it is a certain choice of canvas for painting or production of tissue paper for flower-making, we will discuss paper’s various uses in the art world from a scientific basis. We will conclude by using our knowledge of the science and philosophy of paper and papermaking to discuss, touch, and use various types of paper to do origami projects. The seven axioms of geometrical origami will start the student’s orientation into the world of origami, showing them how to fold and manipulate paper. We will discuss the origins of origami, from ancient Japanese toys through the Yoshizawa era. We will also get to discuss and possibly use advanced origami techniques that utilize sizing solutions to help the paper conform to various shapes (a practice called wet-folding).

Attribute: (ATTR: ARTS).