Here I will teach you how to create an abstract flower thing (I really don't know what else to call it, so flower thing
works for me.
First we need to create a sphere. You can either go to
Objects Primitive Sphere or you can select sphere from
the
Object Icon 
.
Next we need to make it editable. To do this either press
C on your keyboard, go to
Structure Make Editable,
or click the
Make Editable icon

.
Now to the fun stuff. Select the
Live Selection tool

(
Tools Live Selection), also
select the
Polygon Tool 
.
Next, while holding down shift, highlight the middle two (2) rows of polygons. You will need to rotate

your image so you can highlight around the entire sphere.

Next go to
Structure Edit Surface Matrix Extrude and use the default settings

Your image should now look like this:

Now press
Ctrl+A to highlight everything on the stage. Next select
Rotate Active Element

and rotate the image.

Now you can either render your image, or apply a
HyperNURB 
(to apply the HyperNurb click
the HyperNurb icon and then drag your sphere over the nurb until there is an arrow pointing down)

That's it, you're done.