Daniele Papuli

Recreating the world in paper

• Daniele is inspired by the colours of the land in Apulia, Italy
• He developed his own technique derived from bookbinding
• He created the windows for Missoni's Milanese flagship shop

“What fascinates me most about my craft is that when people see one of my objects, they don’t immediately understand what it’s made of. They often mistake it for wood, or some kind of fossil. Only when they look closer do they realise that it’s made of paper.” Daniele Papuli started working with paper by chance, after taking a workshop in Berlin while studying at the Accademia di Belle Arti di Brera, in Milan. Though his training is in classical sculpture, this master craftsman decided to make objects using narrow strips of paper, with which he gives life to mesmerising shapes, the uniqueness of which can only be appreciated up close.

Interview

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©Daniele Papuli

When did you decide to work exclusively with paper?

In 2000. I had graduated from the Accademia and was looking for a job. One day I came across the Missoni store, and I was struck by the clothes I saw: the play of colour reminded me of my own work. I found the courage to write a letter to introduce myself and ask for an interview.

What happened after that?

I was given an appointment, and Missoni was so impressed by what I had done that he asked me to create the setting for the 12 windows of their shop in the centre of Milan. This gave me enormous visibility and contributed to kicking off my career.

Do you follow a specific technique?

I developed my own, which has much in common with the techniques normally used in bookbinding. In the beginning, I used to produce sheets of paper on a frame, but then I realised that I preferred to assemble paper, rather than crush it.

What inspires your work?

The colours of my native land, Apulia, and its nature. Many of my works are inspired by the vast fields of wheat and the way in which the wind creates rippling plays of light and dark blowing across them. In my works I try to recreate that movement.

Daniele Papuli is an expert artisan: he began his career in 2001

Works

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©Daniele Papuli

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©All rights reserved

Where