Embedded Files
Tesselluminations are tessellations which have been mounted in a way that allows them to be backlit, allowing views of both the flat work and the layered crease work.
Backlit Frames (LED)
Backlit Frames (LED)
These tesselluminations are built by attaching LED tape lights to the inside of a picture frame. When turned on, it offers a backlit view of the model.
A Hex-agon tessellation, which appears as hexagon flagstones normally.
The Hex-agon tessellation shows a hidden floral motif when backlit.
Backlit Frames (Floating)
Backlit Frames (Floating)
These tesselluminations utilize floating frames, which do not have a backing and therefore allow light to pass through the model. They can be placed in front of a window or other light source to provide the normal and backlit views.
A Dragon Hearts tessellation, showing the triangular pattern normally.
The Dragon Hearts tessellation shows the hidden hearts when the frame is put in front of a sunny window.
Suncatchers
Suncatchers
These tessellumination prototypes are built by placing a small tessellation inside a frame, and attaching it so a suction cup so it can be hung in a window. This allows for viewing of both the front and back side (depending on how you orient the frame) as well as plain and backlit views (depending on the lighting through the window at the time.)
An example of suncatchers when viewed straight.
Additional layers can be seen when hung in a window to catch the lighting.
Square light (card stock)
Square light (card stock)
February 2025
This tessellumination prototype was built simply, using thick black cardstock for the frame. A white LED light tape was inserted into the back of the frame. The mulberry paper shows the layering difference well, but doesn't diffuse the light as much, leading to an uneven light distribution.
Unlit, showing the closed square twist pattern, as well as the difference between pinwheeled and normal twists.
When lit, the squares and pinwheels are more distinct, but the color of the lighting vs the paper is not well matched.
Square desk lamps (foam board)
Square desk lamps (foam board)
February 2025
These tessellumination prototypes are built using foam board. Both models have sides of 13cm x 24cm. The lights that were used in the original basket tape prototype were repurposed and used again here.
The black model uses white sketch paper in the Sunken Diamonds pattern.
It uses an Ikea LED spotlight for lighting.
Unlit, showing the basic pattern.
When lit, the diamonds contrast sharply with the squares.
The "wood" model uses light brown foam board with a faux wood pattern on one side. The Gapped Clusters pattern was folded from jasper marbled mulberry paper, providing intriguing patterns both with and without lighting.
It uses a Daiso dimmer LED light for lighting.
Unlit, the squares create interesting breaks in the marbled color pattern.
When lit, the contrast between the squares in the tessellation becomes more apparent.
Bathroom Tiles hexagon frame
Bathroom Tiles hexagon frame
January 2025
This tessellumination uses a wood hexagon frame from the craft store, into which a hexagonal tessellation can be mounted. A tape LED was mounted to the back of the frame to provide an even source of light. Some card stock was used to provide both an inner frame with complementary color, and to provide a place to attach the tessellation itself to.
This model uses a ~6" wood frame, and the bathroom tiles tessellation.
The paper used is marbled mulberry paper, which provides a beautiful pattern when unlit, and allowing a lot of light through when backlit.
Unlit, showing the hexagonal pattern.
When lit, the hexagons gain sharp borders.
Square desk lamps (Basket tape)
Square desk lamps (Basket tape)
December 2024 - January 2025
This tessellumination is meant to be a desk lamp, similar in style to square kumiko/shoji paper lanterns. Instead of using thin wood strips to make patterns, the tessellation provides this.
These prototypes use basic basket tape crafting material from Daiso as I am still working out sizing, lighting, and tessellation selection. The paper is simple sketch paper, which allowed me to try out several tessellation patterns before making a final decision.
The grey model is tall and narrow (9" tall by 3.25" wide) and uses the back (weave) side of a tessellation of open and double-open square twists.
Due to a miscalculation during construction, where I failed to account for extra material reinforcing the inside, I was unable to fit the platform I had constructed to hold the lamp bulb, leading to some awkwardness in lighting.
Unlit, showing the weave pattern.
When lit, the borders of the weave pattern are emphasized.
The black model is a bit more square (9" tall by 4" wide) and uses the front side of a tessellation of closed and double-open square twists.
A different light was used (an Ikea spotlight instead of a Daiso dimmer switch light) although the main difference between the two was the length of the cord and the color of the LEDs (the Ikea LED has a warmer glow.)
Unlit, showing the square twist pattern.
When lit, the closed square twists are sharply highlighted.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse