On 10/16/2014 5:11 PM, David Mitchell wrote:
I do not see that different criteria are necessary to compare the
virtues of two single-sheet designs, however apparently different they
may be. (snip)
What are the virtues that I look for in a single-sheet paperfold?
I'm not completely sure I can state them all but they certainly
include elegance, efficiency, balance, a clean appearance (no single
word for this I'm afraid), recognisability (if it's a representative
design) and bonus points for anything extra like originality,
movement, noise, development potential etc. *snip)
We seem to be shifting from the 'heart of origami' (whatever that may
be) to the 'virtues' of origami.
but just briefly ... Elegance (snip) To me elegance is not a quality
of the finished design but of the folding sequence ... and
particularly of the arrangement of the folding sequence. Elegance is
about the way in which the folding sequence develops from the starting
shape to the finished design ... about how the folds are located and
made ... about how one fold opens up the potential for another ...
about how the whole sequence flows rather than proceeding in fits and
starts. And because of this it's very hard to define elegance
precisely in words ... (snip)
Let me start off by asking list members two questions:
1) When you pick up an origami book, to buy or to fold something from,
what is the very first thing that draws your attention?
2) What is the first thing that makes you want to fold a particular
origami model/piece?
Speaking for myself, the first thing that catches my eye are the
photographs or illustrations of the completed origami model/piece; i.e.
the look of the finished product, or the 'destination' at the end of the
'journey'. It is also the first thing that makes me want to fold an
origami model/piece. Whether I will be able to fold that particular
model, how well I will be able to fold that model/piece, or whether I
will find the folding sequence "elegant', 'efficient', etc etc etc is
another matter, which I will only be able to discover after I have
completed the 'journey' to fold or attempt to fold that particular
model/piece.
If you share this experience, it follows that to you and me, in the
least, the 'destination' is what influences us to make (or not to make)
the 'journey'. It also follows that the 'journey' is of secondary
importance (if at all) in influencing our choices. The belief that
origami is 'about the journey, not the destination', as stated by David
Mitchell in a previous post, will therfore appear flawed.
If we choose not to make the journey, we can really not know the
experiences of that journey. We can at best assume what the 'journey'
would be like from the appearance of the finished product or by browsing
through the diagrams (if the book is not shrink-wrapped). This, however
will be our personal assumptions, based on our individual preferences,
likes and dislikes, assumed limits to our abilities, etc. Personal
assumptions, not tried and proven certainties. And basing the 'heart of
origami' on personal assumptions would be incorrect, particularly if the
personal assumptions are contentious.
I have been involved in origami for almost half a century, and have run
the gamut in almost the full range of diversities out there. Some of the
positive aspects that have sustained my adherence to origami through the
years are:
1) The evolution of origami:
I have been blessed to be around to witness, experience and be part of
the evolution of origami from its early days when origami was widely
viewed as a childrens' craft to the present threshold of fine art that
origami is positioned today. Like every other aspect of life, origami
has evolved and undergone change, change being the only constant. The
evolution in origami was made possible by people who employed their
training in mathmatics, engineering, artists in other fields, etc to
origami. In so doing, what was believed impossible has been made
possible, what was difficult is now commonplace. Origami models/piece
can now be more detailed, more representative of living or once living
subjects that the origami models/pieces are supposed to portray. Living
and once living subjects can be rendered with character, emotions,
postures (both natural or comical), etc.
In origami, we fold. With each fold we make, the surface of the paper is
reduced and hidden. That is not necessarily a negative thing. Why show
more of the surface of the paper than is necessary towards the
appearence of the origami model/piece? Is leaving much to the
imagination as inthe origami of yesteryear of primary importance?
I personally find the continuous evolution in origami exciting. It's
like breaths of fresh air.
challenges:
Each time I come across an origami piece that catches my attention,
these questiion cross my mind:
1) How was it folded?
2) Can I replicate it?
3) Can I improve on it?
The first question leads me, without seeing the folding instructions or
diagrams, to think of ways to approach the design, and of the folding
sequence I would adopt. I go into a problem solving mode, and a
stimulating mental exercise.
The second question deals with my level of folding skills, threshold of
patience, perseverence and perhaps more importantly at this time, the
limitations placed by my present physical impairments. Which I look upon
as another challenge, not as an obstacle.
The third question usually comes after I have folded or tried folding
the origami model/piece in question, and involves more problem solving,
thinking out of the box, seeking discovery amidst chaos and more mental
stimulation.
Like all other aspects of life, I do not expect origami to be a pleasant
skip along an immaculately manicured path in the park. I expect some
bumps and difficulties along the way, some areas that can or ought to be
improved upon, and even some treacherous stretches along the way. This
makes the 'journey' all the more interesting, like running an obstacle
course, climbing a rock wall, or getting the win in a soccer match. This
brings a host of positive emotions that goes with the success of
arriving at the final 'destination' and a sense of personal actualization.
Virtues of origami:
The virtues of origami should be applicable to much of the diverse
aspects of origami as a whole, and not just to a conspicuous aspect of
origami. For brevity, I list a few of the benefits of origami which may
be considered its virtues:
1) It helps develope patience and perseverence;
2) It stimulates mental exercise, of problem solving, thinking out of
the box, and the creative process;
3) It stimulates learning, of mathematics, and of the living subjects we
endevour to represent im origami;
4) It can be used to bond peoples together, across different
generations, positions in society, diverse ethnicities, languages,
religions and subject preferences.
5) Its influence can be seen in education, architecture, space
exploration, the sciences and used as a tool in marketing and mental,
physical and occupational therapy.
Ron
