The Fold of July

Lover'$ Knot

I made this last Sunday for a friend's 10th wedding anniversary vow renewal ceremony.  I tried it with the $10 denomination, but the printing did not lend itself to as good a result as the single (and the old $10 printing is much the same as the new one in terms of size and placement of the denomination sign).  The girl on the $10 also comes out bland.  So I settled for the single, liking how the "one" printed across the hearts can symbolize two hearts as one; and tied together by the word "TRUST".

I believe Mike Jittlov had adapted Francis Ow's model to the dollar and it was taught indirectly to me by Andrew Hans, with Ron Fujioka giving me one he had made and modified such that the "IN GOD WE TRUST" printing showed in the knot.

Exhibit at the JANM

Folding Paper The Infinite Possibilities of Origami:

Folding Paper: The Infinite Possibilities of Origami is the first museum exhibition to explore the history of paper folding, the works of the world’s foremost origami artists, and the connection between origami and mathematics, science, and design.

Origami, or Japanese paper folding, began centuries ago in Japan, probably in religious ceremonies and as a pastime of Court nobles. By the 17th century, much of the population was folding birds, animals, and boxes. Paper folding was also practiced in Europe and became well established there by the 19th century. In both regions, the practice was regarded primarily as a children’s craft or hobby for adults with nimble fingers. It was not considered “art” until the mid 20th century, when folders around the world began experimenting with different styles, techniques, and materials. Now, origami is a sophisticated international art form worthy of museum exhibition, collection, and scholarship.

The exhibition showcases contemporary origami by renowned artists from countries as diverse as Japan, the United States, Uruguay, and Russia. It presents them within the context of origami history and examines the many evolving styles of origami today, from representational figures from nature to modular geometric forms and abstract sculptures.

The exhibition also examines the relationship between origami and art, science, and mathematics, and demonstrates its tremendous impact in areas as diverse as space exploration, medical research, and fashion design. Lastly, Folding Paper explores origami—particularly the beloved crane—as a powerful tool for world peace.

Helen Sperber of the WCOG arranged for a group tour with the curator, Meher McArthur (who worked closely with Robert Lang as advisor). It was a wonderful presentation with a couple of unique pieces of origami artwork that make their debut at this exhibit (no photographing was allowed).

"You gotta know when to fold 'em..."

Hat tip: Yaacov Metzger on the Origami List

Adventures in Paperfolding

While teaching origami at the Chinese-American Museum Lantern Festival today in Los Angeles (with Jim Cowling and Chila Caldera), a mom was laughing hysterically saying I just gave her the quote of the week. Apparently in the midst of teaching her son how to fold a panda, I stammered at him, "Uh-uh-uh-uh!...Stop! Stop! You're hurting the paper!" She thought that was just the funnies thing.

Then there was this girl who was having a heck of a time folding the same panda no matter how I explained it to her and no matter how I tried to get her to think about it; I'd end up doing the folding maneuver for her, hand the model back...and then she'd hold it back up to me and say, "Like this?" (>_<)

New Won Park $ Flapping Butterfly

Won says he will be teaching this model at OUSA.

Won Park Interview

Deb Pun Discoe posted the following video on her Facebook:




Happy to hear him make mention of Joel Bauer (Look him up if you do not know who this amazing man is).

I remember Joel returning from a trip to Hawaii, raving about this street artist he met. I was a bit skeptical back then that there were any "undiscovered" artists that no one has heard of (today there are many amazing origamists that many probably are unaware of); but Joel showed me some of Won's work. He encouraged Won to attend OUSA and that's where I first met Won Park.

I'd credit Joel as the one who propelled Won Park out of isolation and into the larger community of paperfolding enthusiasts.

Incidentally, speaking of Park, I remember coming across this video last year. Glad to see Won's generosity acknowledged in cyberspace:

Happy End of the Year!

Origami Bottle by Jo Nakashima
Origami Rose by Phu Tran
Folded by Michael Sanders

Sok Song's $ Rose on a Stem

Pam Miike brought these to the Origami Festival at the Van Nuys Japanese Gardens back in October. I believe she said Sok Song (his design) was giving these away at PCOC or something.

Looks to be a sort of Kawasaki rose/Stephen Hecht flower on a stem (incorporating an Elias stretch) hybrid.

Look for diagrams to appear in a future issue of Creased magazine.

Life's a Happy Song When There's Someone by Your Side to Fold Along

Kermit the Frog
Created b Halle (Carlos Santamaría)
Folded by Michael Sanders
8 squares
Diagrams: Cartoon Origami Book 3

8 Side Box with Lid
Created by Mr. A'Kos Horn
Folded by Michael Sanders
Diagrams: NOA #361

It took the new Muppet movie to get me to finally fold this model. I folded this about a week ago.

♫♪ Everything is great everything is grand
I got the whole wide world in the palm of my hand
Everything is perfect its falling into place
I cant seem to wipe this smile off my face
Life's a happy song when there's someone by my side to sing along ♫♪

"My origami can kick your origami's @$$!"

Hat tip to Russell Sutherland on his Facebook.

Feldercarb!

I'm pretty upset! I tried adding a new link to the sidebar while in the new blogger interface mode, and it changed (they call it "upgrade") my old template to a new one- erasing all of my sidebar links to other blogs and websites and photo albums in the process! Argh! I think I probably had the largest collection of origami-related links out there (yes, a number of which were obsolete- but still....).

Not sure when I'll have time to figure out an easy way to restore stuff.

If you want to be linked, drop it into a comment.

Life is Beautiful

These videos were made by Yami's friend, Satoshi Aoki:

Origami Festival 2010

Sipho Mabona on TV Tokyo

Hat tip: Kathy Knapp on the O-List

Shadowboxing with LaFosse

Last month I went home to visit my folks in Colorado Springs. While I was out there, I folded some of my favorite Michael LaFosse models to display in shadow boxes for my mom.

(Note: The ranoshi on a lilly pad with the koi is a David Derudas model).

Momotaro (Peach Boy)

Momotaro (Peach Boy)
Created by Mr. Katsushi NOSHO
Folded by Michael Sanders
Composite of 5 square sheets of Japanese commercial kami

Diagrams found in NOA magazine #429


Note: Yes....he is anatomically correct. I didn't embellish the model...it's diagrammed in there.

Michael LaFosse's Art-Deco Wing glider Off a High Rise

This was originally taught to me by Tom Stamm years ago and I've always loved the folding sequence and the flight path of LaFosse's unusual glider- under "normal" circumstances it usually skims across the air in a bit of an up-down motion reminding me of a rock skipping across water. A truly ingenius design. I haven't filmed an example of that flight pattern; but what I did do was throw a couple off the 20th floor of my client's high rise:

*UPDATE* 4/24/2011

Michael LaFosse sent me this story regarding his Art-Deco Wing:

I designed this model while I was a freshman at the U. Tampa, in Florida, 1975. My dorm room was on the 8th floor of Delo Hall, which was situated near the athletic field (The building has since been replace, I believe.)

Many times a week I would launch an Art-Deco Wing out my window and watch it glide over the parking lot, across a street and continue across the athletic filed and out of sight. I never saw one land, but they all seemed to prefer the same path, across the athletic field.

On day, towards the end of my second semester, I took up jogging with a friend. We would jog around the perimeter of the athletic filed, outside of its great walls. To my surprise and delight I found these wings, all in a heap, caught at the base of a fence!

~~~

The accumulation of wings was an interesting sight. They were mixed in with other windswept paper and plastic trash. They had been rained upon and covered with dirt from many months of exposure; though quite deformed they were recognizable. If I remember correctly, the collection spanned a length of the fence area for some twenty feet or so. The area looked as though it got little attention from groundskeepers and the city's cleaning force. I did reach through the fence, and grabbed a decent looking specimen to show my friend and explain what it was all about.

How I Spend My Early Mornings...

I have a personal fitness client who I work with in the mornings. She's in her late 70s and lately we've been working out in her high rise rather than the gym, due to her health.

After our sessions, we go out on her balconey and fly my paper gliders (she lives on the 20th floor). She says it makes her laugh; and laughter is great medicine for the body and soul.

Won Park Sea Turtle

Won gave this to me as a present, leftover from one of his OUSA exhibits







These photos were taken today, showing how well this model has withstood the test of time.

A few years ago I began reverse engineering it, then got sidetracked and lost interest.