When I received an invitation in the autumn of 2025 from Pan Hang, the organizer of the “Unfold Puyuan 2026” event, to visit China as a guest lecturer, I was delighted. I was eager to experience the country and the event, and above all, to meet the many paper artists from around the world who would be gathering there.
In July 2026, the moment finally arrived. For two weeks, I had the opportunity to conduct workshops and give lectures on pop-up design at the Puyuan Fashion Resort, an impressive historic water town in Zhejiang Province, and to exchange ideas with international guests from a wide range of paper art disciplines.
The event spanned nearly four weeks and was structured into four thematic sessions. While the focus in previous years had been on origami, organizer Pan Hang deliberately expanded the program this time. In addition to internationally renowned origami artists, several guests from other fields of paper art were also invited.
An 8-meter-tall horse statue is one of Puyuan’s landmarks. The origami model of the “Puyuan Horse” was designed by Tu Kaiming and folded from a single sheet of paper. During the final session of the event, “Origami Masters,” he led a five-hour workshop in which he taught participants how to fold this model. Unfortunately, the course didn’t take place until a few days after I left. Photo: Peter Dahmen
Origami Artworks by Tomoko Fuse, Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
Origami Artwork by Paul Jackson, Photo: Peter Dahmen
Paper Automaton by Yang Meng, Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
Origami artwork by Vincent Floderer, Photo: Peter Dahmen
Folded paper artworks by Jun Mitani, Photo: Peter Dahmen
Folded sculptures made of thin plastic by Hung Hsin-Fu, Photo: Peter Dahmen
Origami artwork by Nguyen Hung Cuong, Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
Pop-up paper sculpture by Peter Dahmen, Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
During my stay, I had numerous inspiring encounters and interesting conversations.
Pan Hang and Miri Golan on their way to the gallery, Photo: Peter Dahmen
From left to right: André Gacko, Peter Dahmen, Paul Jackson, Miri Golan, Vincent Floderer, Photo: Pan Hang
We teachers also took part in many workshops! From left to right: Nguyen Tu Tuan, Peter Dahmen, Tomoko Fuse, Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
Nguyen Tu Tuan explained how to fold origami models from dampened paper — now the students proudly present their results. Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
Yang Meng presents paper automata, pop-up cards, and some previously unpublished concepts for pop-up books. Photo: Peter Dahmen
In their workshop, Paul Jackson and Miri Golan demonstrate how to fold the perfect paper airplane. Photo: Peter Dahmen
Zhang Ziliang presents one of his paper artworks. I find it incredibly fascinating to see what intricate models an origami master can fold from a single sheet of paper. Photo: Peter Dahmen
I was thrilled to meet my colleagues, the artists and paper engineers Ma Mengxin and Hung Hsin-Fu, in person. I’d long been familiar with their amazing pop-up models and three-dimensional paper objects from the internet! Photo: Peter Dahmen
Master Zhang Jie showed us how he artfully tears paper to create delicate images. Here he is demonstrating the Chinese character 福 (Pinyin: fú). It means “happiness,” “blessing,” or “prosperity.” Photo: Peter Dahmen
Everyone was thrilled by André Gacko and his ability to create detailed paper sculptures in just a few minutes. Photo: Peter Dahmen
Paper artist Vincent Floderer specializes in the art of crumpling paper (crumpling technique). His impressive works are known all over the world. Left: Pan Hang, right: Vincent Floderer, Photo: Peter Dahmen
Wang Hao presents some of his origami models. I got along very well with him. We had many deep conversations—and also had a lot of fun. I’m sure we’ll stay in touch. Photo: Peter Dahmen
Many instructors also participated in Ma Mengxin’s pop-up card workshop. Even the event organizer, Pan Hang, is intently following the instructor’s directions. Photo: Peter Dahmen
In a highly interesting and entertaining presentation, Paul Jackson demonstrates a series of eight basic pop-up shapes that can be developed from a single simple diagram. Photo: Peter Dahmen
One evening, all the artists gathered in the hotel lobby to browse through books on paper art and, together with Pan Hang, develop new ideas and inspiration for future events. Photo: Peter Dahmen
Pop-up book collector Duan Chao gives a fascinating lecture on the history of pop-up books in China. Photo: Peter Dahmen
Wang Hao and Miri Golan are putting the finishing touches on Miri’s paper artwork in the gallery. Photo: Peter Dahmen
Miri Golan in front of her white paper artwork. Photo: Peter Dahmen
It was a great pleasure to meet Paul Jackson in person, as I have known his books for many years. In fact, we arrived at the Shanghai airport at almost the same time and began chatting during the roughly two-hour drive to Puyuan. I spent a great deal of time with him and his wife, Miri Golan, during my stay – participating in workshops, conversations, and various activities together. The open exchange with the two of them and the many other artists was a truly enriching experience for me.
At breakfast, Paul Jackson folded a baseball cap out of a placemat. Miri filmed the process and posted the video on Instagram. To date, it has been viewed more than 800,000 times. From left: Peter Dahmen, Paul Jackson, and Vincent Floderer. (Photo: Miri Golan)
I was very impressed by the high standard of the workshop participants. Many of the origami classes lasted several hours, yet even the younger children worked with amazing patience and concentration right to the end.
I really enjoyed sharing my passion for pop-up design with children, teens, and adults and introducing them to this branch of paper art. I was especially delighted by the many enthusiastic responses and the photos I took with the participants. I was deeply touched that so many people asked me to sign their books.
One day after my arrival in Puyuan, I held my first workshop. Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
The topic of my first workshop was the “Amazing Pop-Up Card,” for which I had already posted a tutorial on YouTube back in 2011. Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
The students worked with great concentration. I was happy to help whenever they had questions. Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
Everyone was enthusiastically engaged in the activity. Photo: Miri Golan
The students proudly present their work. Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
After the workshop, I demonstrated some of my original pop-up models in motion. Here you can see “Dream Faire,” which I designed for the Netflix film “Wendell & Wild.” Photo: Miri Golan
In my second workshop, I explained how to make a pop-up card with a flower. Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
The students had to cut through several layers of paper. Before that, the paper had to be carefully folded. I was happy to help with that. Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
After cutting, the individual pieces had to be carefully unfolded again. Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
The paper we used in our class was quite thin. Nevertheless, all the participants achieved beautiful results. Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
Many students asked me to sign their finished pop-up cards. Of course, I was happy to do so! Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
Session 2 of the “Origami Convention” took place on a much larger scale. Here’s a photo taken during the introduction of all the teachers by the organizer, Pan Hang (in the foreground). Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
More than 300 participants had registered for the “Origami Convention.” In addition, there were many accompanying guests and plenty of volunteers. Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
It was a great pleasure for me to present some of my work on the huge LED screen in front of such a large audience. Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
After my workshop on “Three-Dimensional Paper Structures,” some participants asked me to sign their models. Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
When I wasn’t leading a workshop or participating in one myself, I often sat in the large hall with my pop-up sculptures and demonstrated how they moved to interested visitors. Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
This boy gave me his paper airplane! Isn’t that great?! Photo: Peter Dahmen
Group photo at the end of the “Origami Convention.” Unfortunately, I left shortly afterward. The final session, “Origami Master,” didn’t start until after I had left. Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
My walks through the water town also remain unforgettable. The reflections of the buildings in the water, the traditional architecture, and the peaceful atmosphere made these strolls a truly special experience.
Photo: Peter Dahmen
Photo: Peter Dahmen
Photo: Peter Dahmen
Photo: Peter Dahmen
Photo: Peter Dahmen
Photo: Peter Dahmen
Photo: Peter Dahmen
Photo: Peter Dahmen
Photo: Peter Dahmen
Photo: Peter Dahmen
Photo: Peter Dahmen
Photo: Peter Dahmen
This 8-meter-tall horse statue is one of Puyuan’s landmarks. The origami model of the “Puyuan Horse” was designed by Tu Kaiming and folded from a single sheet of paper. During the final session of the event, “Origami Masters,” he led a five-hour workshop in which he taught participants how to fold this model. Unfortunately, the course didn’t take place until a few days after I left. Photo: Peter Dahmen
This trip has shown me once again just how international and diverse the world of paper art is. Although our working methods and cultural backgrounds differ, we are all united by the same enthusiasm for paper as a creative medium. Paper art knows no language barriers – it inspires people all over the world. I returned to Germany with many new impressions, sources of inspiration, and valuable encounters.
My sincere thanks go to Pan Hang for the invitation and the outstanding organization of “Unfold Puyuan.” I would also like to thank Ben and the entire team, who took care of all the guests with great warmth and helpfulness during my stay.
I would be delighted to participate again in a future event and to have the opportunity to share my enthusiasm for paper art with others.
Photo: 沈清辉 Shen Qinghui
The invited artists
Finally, I would like to show the official artist portraits of the international guests that were exhibited during “Unfold Puyuan 2026.” They offer a glimpse into the diversity of the paper art represented.
