The Only Way to Fully Understand How Amazing These Expanding Sculptures Are Is to Watch This Video

Li Hongbo's sculptures have been described as "freaky" and "bizarre." When you see what they do and learn how exactly they're made, you'll probably agree with these designations but might also add "fascinating" to the list.

The White Rabbit Gallery's description of the Beijing-based artist states that he has a special affinity toward paper.

“I love it and collect it,” he said, according to the gallery website.

He loves it so much, it's his preferred medium. But would you believe that this (see the image below) ...

It looks like a skull made from plaster. (Image: Vimeo screenshot)

... can morph into this (below) ...

But it's really thousands of pieces of paper. (Image: Vimeo screenshot)

... and this (below)?

The paper was manually glued together. (Image: Vimeo screenshot)

Here's how he does it:

With the help of an assistant, Li Hongbo stuck more than 30,000 sheets together with carefully placed stripes of glue to form what look like two large blocks of balsa wood. Using an electric saw, he carved these stacks into identical human figures. One he leaves intact, except for a toppled head; the other is stretched out like a vast accordion, its torso and limbs looping around the gallery space like a gigantic Slinky toy. Many visitors find it hard to believe that it ever looked anything like its upright twin.

(Image: Vimeo screenshots)

Watch this video showing off Hongbo's flexible sculptures:

The White Rabbit Gallery stated that Hongbo hopes this will show people the "endless possibilities of paper.”

Did it? Let us know what you think about the artwork in the comments below.

(H/T: io9)