Origami, what’s that? Origami is derived from the Japanese words “ori” meaning “fold” and “kami” meaning paper. The traditional concept of origami is folding paper to create objects using only one piece of paper with no cuts or glue. Although origami art has unlimited possibilities, most models generally begin with a specific type of base (eg., fish, bird, waterbomb base) from which the rest of the model develops. As well, there a variety of folds employed in creating these models, ranging from the simple (valley, mountain) to the more complex (sinks, swivels). Together, the bases and mixture of folds combine to produce models that represent everything imaginable. Centuries ago, the first origami models were simple and stylized. Today, origami has developed into an art form that produces sophisticated, complex and highly technical models sculpted by professional artists around the world who still work to the adage, “one square, no cut, no glue.” Some history, in the East... Paper was invented in China around 105 AD. During the seventh century, a Korean master of paper manufacture brought paper into the Japanese Court. Japan’s Prince Shotoku was so impressed that he planted forests specifically to produce a better quality origami paper. At this time, paper was very rare and expensive and only used by the wealthy. Its primary use was for Shinto ceremonies, with models only known by priests. This first origami was abstract and symbolic. Centuries later, paper became more common and cheaper to produce. Origami began to be used for amusement. The models figured on the left, including the famous crane, the symbol of Peace, are probably 1,000 years old, however up until the 20th Century, there were only a few hundred models, all of them very simple and designed especially for children. Some history, in the West... Paper was introduced in the West by Arabians who learned of this commodity through Chinese prisoners. As a result of the Arab conquest of Spain, paper began to be manufactured in Europe. Spanish culture has had a long tradition of paperfolding culminating in Miguel de Unamuno’s "Traité de cocottologie." In the early 20th Century, origami was practiced at the Bauhaus school. It was only in the mid 20th Century that origami made its quantum leap. In the 1950’s, a Japanese master incorporated the mechanical craft of folding paper with the artistic aesthetic of sculpture. Akira Yoshizawa created thousands of new models where only a few hundred existed before. All Yoshizawa-san’s origami models sprung from a highly refined artistic version. Yoshizawa-san opened the door for the entire world to discover that origami was not just a children’s hobby, but a complex, sophisticated art-form that transformed a single piece of paper into a beautifully crafted work of art. Yoshizawa-san and Samuel Randlett created the living legacy of international symbols that today lets millions of people share in the creative process of origami. Modern origami... Today, origami is practiced all over the world. With the proliferation of hundreds of books and websites, there are countless skilled origami artists working in many different directions. Japan’s Tomoko Fuse develops modular origami – puzzles using not only one square but many intricate units folded together. Amerca’s Robert Lang, a laser physicist, creates insects more “alive” than real live ones. Britain’s Paul Jackson reflects on minimalism using the fewest number of creases possible. Some creators prefer to use triangles or rectangles instead of squares; others recycle material like tea-bags or train tickets. My personal preference is to try and imitate the philosophy of Master Yoshizawa – to breathe live into the paper and improvise as my as I can. Like a good piece of jazz, every model I produce is unique. And most of my models are 3D. Through the use of many curves, I attempt to put volume into my work so that at the end of the process, they become life-like. _______________________________________________________________________ My best thanks go to Yves Clavel, Vanessa Gould, Jamie Kelley, Frédéric Wolf & Joseph Wu, for their constant help and support... site by web3media.ca http://www.web3media.cashapeimage_2_link_0

Akira Yoshizawa