Soilworm Lai and Mic Leong
Stickyline creates large paper helmets in the shape of Hong Kong buildings. Founders Soilworm Lai and Mic Leong talk to Rosanna Chu about their devotion to paper artwork.
HK Magazine: How did you come up with the idea?
Soilworm Lai: We work in packaging and toy design, and wanted to do something outside of work that plays with design. If we were to make and sell paper products, people might question their fragility and refuse to buy [them]. So we thought, why not do something simply for fun, [that’s] without limits and enjoyable?
HK: Why is it called Stickyline?
SL: The name, directly translated to Chinese, is a common Cantonese saying. Paper, when back to the basics, is composed of dots, lines and planes. In addition, throughout the product creation process, we have to stick and join paper [together], so that gives us our Stickyline name.
HK: What projects has Stickyline done?
Mic Leong: We have done paper helmets, window displays and stage performance props. We currently have one product for sale, a headpiece. For local boutique Daydream Nation, we created a two-meter sculpture matching their fashion style. We did a headpiece for local band PixelToy, and costumes for [Cantopop singer] Ivana Wong.
HK: Can you tell us more about Stickyline’s participation in [annual arts festival] Detour 2011?
ML: We applied for Design Mart [the marketplace featuring booths with unique, creative products] and the initial idea was to make something with paper that was wearable. Eventually we created several paper helmets that took the guise of famous Hong Kong buildings, including the Bank of China, One and Two IFC and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. We set up a photo booth at Design Mart, people came over to put on our helmets and we took pictures of them for free.
HK: Can you share your paper helmet-making experience with us?
SL: First we have to draw the sketch with 3D computer software. Then we convert the 3D object to a 2D plane with another [kind of] software and use a machine to wrinkle the papers for easier folding. We cannot make objects with ultra-curved planes because paper can only be creased to a certain extent. At the moment we don’t have an office, so we usually do our artwork at home and even seek help from our friends!
HK: How do you choose the material for your artwork?
SL: We usually go to wholesale stationery shops to find paper samples. We then test the thickness, hardness and density of paper and choose the most suitable one. However, paper products can be fragile and get drenched on rainy days, so we don’t want to limit ourselves to paper only but also [use] other materials like metal.
HK: How long does it take to make one piece of paper art?
SL: It depends on the size and the design process. On average it takes around one week—about three to four days to draw the computer sketch and two days to work on the creasing and sticking process.