Re: [Origami] Box-pleating

[Matthew Green]

On 15 Nov 2023, at 10:39 a.m., Robert Lang  wrote:
> 
>> On Nov 15, 2023, at 7:59 AM, David Mitchell via Origami 
>> mailto:origami@lists.digitalorigami.com>> 
>> wrote:
>> 
>> Under the subject 'Folding Legend and Joisel Award - Join our free event', 
>> Ilan Garibi wrote:
>> 
>> 'Neal Elias can be considered the creator of the modern box-pleating 
>> technique'
>> 
>> I think this assertion is worth discussing. According to Eric Kenneway's 
>> 'ABC of Origami', BOS booklet 47, box-pleating is 'a creative folding 
>> technique pioneered by F Rohm and developed by N Elias'.
>> 
>> Kenneway explains that the crease pattern that results from 'box-pleating' 
>> is a 'multiple water bomb base or preliminary base' ie a series of 
>> concentric waterbomb bases or preliminary folds set inside each other, which 
>> can then be collapsed to form the base that Elias and others used to create 
>> designs for human figures.
>> 
>> The question then arises as to whether 'the modern box-pleating technique' 
>> is something entirely different. On this definition Mooser's Train, for 
>> instance, would not be an example of 'box-pleating', although it is 
>> effectively made from a series of pleated boxes.
>> 
>> Thoughts, anyone?
> 
> The quoted description from Kenneway is, IMHO, not a very accurate 
> description of the methods used by Elias (and Hulme, let’s not forget) that 
> we now call box-pleating. But, if I recall correctly, even Elias didn’t call 
> his techniques “box-pleating” — I think he used the term “box-folding”.
> 
> And he did do plenty of 3D designs like Mooser’s Train (like his Cart and 
> Horse, Grand Piano, and more), in addition to the flat-folded structures that 
> are in his human figures.
> 
> It’s a bit inaccurate to call him the “creator,” since he learned from 
> Mooser’s train, and many of the techniques are even older (pleating was 
> around for over a millennium in the New World, and I recall seeing what sure 
> looked like an “Elias Stretch” in Giegher’s napkin-folding treatise). And 
> "the modern box-pleating technique” now includes techniques that were added 
> after Elias (e.g., polygon packing methods of design, “Kamiya pattern”, and 
> the like).
> 
> But he went far beyond what people had done before and added many new 
> techniques of his own. I think it’s fair to say he showed the power and 
> diversity possible with the technique, as well as creating many beautiful 
> artworks. So perhaps “Neal Elias pioneered the modern box-pleating technique” 
> might be a better way of describing his role, honoring his preeminence and 
> contributions without suggesting there was nothing before him.
> 
> Robert

Has anyone given a good definition of box-pleating? When I try to explain it to 
people I focus on the dominance of parallel pleats on a grid and 90º and 45º 
angles, but that doesn’t take into account many cases where other angles are 
used, and I’m sure there are examples of models with parallel pleats that are 
not box pleating, such as when multiple sinks are used to thin points for legs 
or antennae. Then there are things like flat tessellations… Are they box 
pleating? Or only when the tessellation has box-like 3D structures?

Matthew

Re: [Origami] Question about origami groups in convention registration forms

[Matthew Green]

Hello Gerardo!
I can’t speak for the organizers, but I imagine they might want to get an idea 
of what groups (if any) their participants are coming from because this would 
help them get an idea where there are more active groups, which could be places 
where they might want to promote their events more. Or, they might discover new 
groups they didn’t know about, although only one or two people from that group 
go to the convention. Those groups could be interesting areas for growth in 
participation, as compared to groups that are already well-represented.
It would be interesting to hear from organizers to know whether I’m even close 
to the real reasons…
Thanks,
Matthew


> On 1 Mar 2023, at 16:30, gera...@neorigami.com wrote:
> 
> I've filled a couple of registration forms for conventions that include a 
> question regarding whether I'm a member of an origami group or not and which. 
> I've always found that question intriguing in a form like that. Why do the 
> organizers ask that? What do they do with the names of the groups and the 
> number of participants of each one?
> 
> Just curious .
> 
> --
> Gerardo G.
> gerardo(a)neorigami.com 
>  instagram.com/neorigamicom 
> Knowledge and Curiosity in Origami:
> six private classes online 
> 
> "(...) It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it takes your breath away 
> and fills you with the true joy of origami. I experienced this in my lessons 
> with Gerardo G. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Gerardo is (...)" C. R. 
> Read the full review 
> 

Re: [Origami] How to fold an Origami Crane according to Chat GPT

[Matthew Green]

I guess part of the problem is that there are insufficient examples of 
text-only origami instructions in ChatGPT's set of training texts. We all need 
to start publishing text-only instructions for lots of traditional and original 
models to help the AIs of the future be better at this task!
Or not.
Creating an AI that can create step-by-step text descriptions of what happens 
on the screen in a video would be another solution, but quite a challenge, I 
suppose...
Best,
Matthew
Sent from my iPhone

> On 28 Jan 2023, at 17:52, Anna via Origami  
> wrote:
> 
> 
> Laura wrote:
> > "Has Chat GPT (I mean, its AI) ever “seen” the process of folding an 
> > origami crane?"
> 
> Well, I guess it is a philosophical question, whether a text-based AI is able 
> to see, but I guess no, not in the way we see, feel and experience the world. 
> As it seems, the AI is still missing data about Origami.
> 
> Louise wrote:
> > "Use YouTube videos. The quality varies but keep looking for a video you
> can follow."
> 
> Thank you but I'm well aware how to fold a crane. Some years ago Gerwin and I 
> even "optimized" the folding sequence to be more fun, faster and easier to 
> fold. You should give it a try: http://www.origami.at/diagrams/crane.pdf
> The question was does the newly hyped AI know how to fold a crane too? The 
> answer is a clear no. AI might be part of our future, but I guess until it 
> starts to be any useful in Origami it might still take a while.
> 
> Best regards, Anna

Re: [Origami] Questions about the establishment of Origami Day in Japan

[Matthew Green]

Happy birthday to the Museum of Origami in Colonia! Congratulations, Laura. I 
hope to visit the museum in person someday. 
Thank you for your work to help preserve the history of origami and to make 
great works available to the public to see for themselves.

Matthew

> On 11 Nov 2022, at 8:40, Laura R via Origami 
>  wrote:
> 
> LOL, Gerardo… If there were not enough motives, I have another reason which 
> may not have passed to the annals of paperfolding. Without even noticing the 
> coincidence, 11/11/11 (that is, November 11, 2011) was the date chosen by the 
> lawyers to close on the deal and make the purchase official for the creation 
> of the Museo del Origami in Colonia, Uruguay. 
> 
> If destiny is written in the stars, that’s a good example of it!
> 
> As today is the museum’s birthday, best wishes are welcome! :) :) 
> 
> Laura Rozenberg
> Museo del Origami
> Ituzaingo 131 
> Colonia del Sacramento
> Uruguay
> www.museodelorigami.org  
> 
> 
>> On Nov 9, 2022, at 11:40 PM, gera...@neorigami.com 
>>  wrote:
>> 
>> HI EVERYONE
>> 
>> So I'm a bit curious about the stablishment of November 11 as Origami Day in 
>> Japan. Who participated in its establishment? In what year was it 
>> established?
>> 
>> I know of two versions as to why was that date chosen as Origami Day: (a) 
>> 11/11 represent the four sides of a square of paper like the ones used most 
>> often for origami nowadays, and (b) the First World War Armistice was signed 
>> in that date, but in 1918, and since the origami crane became a symbol of 
>> peace with the passing of Sadako Sasaki, November 11 was considered a good 
>> date to celebrate origami. 
>> 
>> Is one of these two the main reason as to why that date was chosen? If so, 
>> which one? Was there another reason?
>> 
>> 
>> Thank you in advance!
>> 
>> --
>> Gerardo G.
>> gerardo(a)neorigami.com 
>>  instagram.com/neorigamicom 
>> Knowledge and Curiosity in Origami:
>> six private classes online 
>> 
>> "(...) It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it takes your breath away 
>> and fills you with the true joy of origami. I experienced this in my lessons 
>> with Gerardo G. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Gerardo is (...)" C. R. 
>> Read the full review 
>> 
> 

Re: [Origami] Jack J Skillman

[Matthew Green]

I am trying to improve my page about the paperfolding of Jack J Skillman 
(https://www.origamiheaven.com/historyjackjskillman.htm) and in particular to 
find out if anyone knows where and when he died (he was born in 1915 so would 
now by 107 if he were still alive) and whether, and if so where, any obituary 
for him was published.
> 
> Any help you can give me will be much appreciated.
> 
> Thanks
> 
> David Mitchell

Hi, David!
Genealogy sites such as Ancestry have lots of records of births and deaths. 
Your message and website say that Skillman was born in 195 that he served in 
the army, and Ancestry has records for the death of a war veteran named Jack 
James Skillman who was born on May 30, 1915, and died on December 12, 1977. 
That matches your info. The records show him as being born and eventually 
buried in Terre Haute, Vigo County, Indiana. There’s a link to a page with more 
info on his gravesite:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20286315/jack-james-skillman
Ancestry has more information on him if you dig around, and even more if you’re 
willing to pay for a subscription.
I hope this helps!
Matthew Green

Re: [Origami] website for gorgeous paper -- decorated endpapers in old books in University of Modena law library

[Matthew Green]

> On Jul 5, 2022, at 1:16 PM, Karen Reeds via Origami 
>  wrote:
> 
> July 5, 2022
> Hi, folders,
> 
>> http://www.fondiantichi.unimore.it/FA/lega/legature_table_carte.html  Carte 
>> decorate della Biblioteca universitaria giuridica
> 
> You can print out these beautiful patterns of marbled and woodblock endpapers 
> and cut them to the size you want. 
> Happy folding!
> 
> Karen

These are beautiful! Thank you for sharing, Karen.
Matthew


> Posted to ExLibris-L 
>> Andrea LODI < > wrote:
>> Dear all,
>> 
>> you can now find online a series of
>> http://www.fondiantichi.unimore.it/FA/lega/legature_table_carte.html
>> 
>> Main features:
>> - home-made, with connected limitations and maybe freedom;
>> - decorated papers are seen together with the other parts of the bindings:
>> if for example they are endpapers, you will see them with images from
>> boards, spine, maybe edges;
>> - you will always find links to images of the title pages of all the works
>> found inside those bindings.
>> 
>> Thank you in advance for your attention, for any comment or suggestion,and
>> for signalling any mistake you will find in our descriptions (in case you
>> can read Italian: at the moment there's not an English version, sorry).
>> 
>> Please do not use your email reply function to respond. Write to me (
>> andrea.l...@unimore.it) or to the library (bibg...@unimore.it), non to
>> the entire list.
>> 
>> Best wishes,
>> Andrea Lodi
>> Biblioteca universitaria giuridica
>> Via Camatta 16
>> 41121 Modena
>> 
>> tel. +39 059 2058721 - email: andrea.l...@unimore.it  
> from Karen Reeds 
> karenmre...@gmail.com

Re: [Origami] origami help

[Matthew Green]

Hi Tom,
Looking closely at the photograph of the elephant at the beginning of the book 
and at a couple of the following steps in the diagram, it looks like the three 
intersecting creases on each side of the double rabbit ear should actually be 
valley folds and only the separate vertical crease should be a mountain fold. 
Even so, at least one or two “soft” creases are missing from that step.
Matthew

> On 18 May 2022, at 22:27, Thomas Sullivan Jr  wrote:
> 
> Thanks,  The model doesn't lie flat so that could be the answer.  I still 
> have trouble picturing it without a valley fold somewhere.  I'll have to see 
> when I get there.  Tom Sullivan  
>> On 05/18/2022 9:46 AM Anna  wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> Well, it might be possible if the model doesn't fold flat but stays in a 
>> three dimensional box shape. In this case the crease that doesn't belong to 
>> the double rabbit ear would most likely not be folded strong but as a curve, 
>> to form the backside of the elephant. 
>> 
>> Am Mi., 18. Mai 2022 um 14:52 Uhr schrieb Thomas Sullivan Jr 
>> mailto:adigg...@comcast.net>>: 
>> I am fold Quentin Trollip's elephant from Origami Sequence.  In looking 
>> ahead to the tail section I noticed what appears to be an illustration 
>> error.  In diagram 72, double rabbit earing the tail, it shows all mountain 
>> folds.  That doesn't seem possible. Am I missing something?  Tom Sulllivan 

Re: [Origami] Implications of the term 'Traditional' and call for feedback

[Matthew Green]

On 8 Jul 2021, at 9:06, Gerardo @neorigami.com  wrote:
> 
> In her email, on Monday the 5th, Lisa B. Corfman mentioned we need a 
> world-wide accepted definition of the concept "traditional origami". Lisa 
> suggested to start by asking different origami platforms for general input, 
> and then ask world-wide origami societies to come to an agreement embodied in 
> a detailed document.  She also asked if all traditional models "are in the 
> creative commons".
> 
When I saw Lisa’s email I immediately started drafting a reply, but I was on 
vacation and put it on the back burner. Since then, other people have said 90% 
of what I was planning on saying; generally, I’m especially in agreement with 
Gerardo’s latest email, so I’ll just add the one thing that I think has not 
been commented on much in this thread.

While I agree that international standards for criteria, symbols and 
terminology are helpful and can be desirable, I think it’s nearly impossible to 
demand uniformity, for many reasons. Even the “standard” Yoshizawa-Randlett 
system of symbols isn’t truly uniformly applied, nor the “standard” 
terminology. As someone who (like many on this mailing list) uses origami books 
in several languages and participates in classes in different languages and 
countries, I can attest that there can be significant variation in terminology 
even within the same country and language.

The same is true about the details of the symbols used in diagramming. The more 
closely you look and the more books you look at, the more you find variations 
and differences. Even what counts as “origami” can be up for debate. Is “Golden 
Venture” aka “3D origami” really origami? How much (if any) cutting is OK? How 
much (if any) glue, and in what kind of use: to glue pieces together that don’t 
have a folded lock? To help strengthen a folded lock? To keep layers together? 
Does the paper have to be square? Or a regular or convex polygon? We can find 
examples from recognized origami books from the first half of the 20th century 
and earlier that include cuts, glue, non-square paper, etc.

Do the creases have to be clearly defined? Does the paper have to end up with 
any folds in place, or can it just be creases in the paper? Does it even have 
to be paper, or do folded metal and wood count as origami? As recent 
discussions in various forums show, There are things that are generally 
accepted today to be origami that don’t fit the general “rules.”

The fact is, the origami community isn’t a structured community with any 
centralized authority that can impose norms. This makes achieving and 
maintaining uniformity of terminology, symbols, standards, etc., practically 
impossible.

So, while we can (and should) discuss the issue and encourage a uniform 
application of the term “traditional” as a substitute for the name of an author 
when the model’s origin is lost to us because the model has been handed down 
for generations and consequently is in the public domain (or whatever 
definition finds consensus), there’s no practical way to enforce or guarantee 
that it will be respected.

I do think the term is useful but should be used very sparingly and only for 
models that truly fit the description.  A well-curated source including all and 
only the truly traditional models (according to the definition I mention above) 
with a historical commentary would be a boon to the origami community. I’d 
certainly buy it!

Best,
Matthew

Re: [Origami] Stock Image Penguin

[Matthew Green]

On 20 Apr 2021, at 11:45, Dawn Tucker via Origami 
 wrote:
> 
> I received an ad from Paper Mill Store today 
> (https://mailchi.mp/thepapermillstore/buy-more-save-more-2021-02-333736?e=8cc1f92bf7
>  
> )
>  with a photo of origami penguins. Of course, I went looking. It appears to 
> be a stock photo, and I found another website using it. The other site 
> (https://kidadl.com/articles/how-to-make-an-origami-penguin-easy-step-by-step-guide
>  
> )
>  also includes written instructions for folding a penguin. I can't make heads 
> or tails out of the instructions. I can't even tell that the instructions are 
> for the penguin in the photo.
> 
> Can anyone tell me more about the model in to photo? Who is the designer? Are 
> there instructions for it anywhere else? 
> 
> Thanks in advance!
> 
> Dawn

Hi Dawn,
The written instructions aren’t  for the penguin in the photo. The designer of 
the one in the photo is Makoto Yamaguchi (I found it on Gilad’s origami 
database website). It’s in at least two books. 
Here’s one:
https://www.giladorigami.com/origami-database-book/3588/Let's-Enjoy-Origami-in-English-and-Japanese-by-Makoto-Yamaguchi
 

I hope this helps!
Matthew

Re: [Origami] Robert Lang Star Flower module

[Matthew Green]

On 8 Jul 2020, at 13:14, Käthe Watanabe  wrote:
> 
> Hello.  I am new to this list, so I hope that I am posting correctly.  I am 
> attempting to construct the module that Robert Lang taught at the recent 
> Origami USA Unconvention.  I have completed the second row of assembly, but I 
> cannot figure out how to proceed from there.  Has anyone on the list 
> assembled this module enough to be able to explain how to continue?
> 
> Thank you,
> 
> Kathe 
Hi Kathe,
I successfully finished the assembly of the entire model, so if you want 
closeup photos of any part of how the pieces fit together, send me an email 
directly.
Thanks!
Matthew

Re: [Origami] document cameras for origami demo-ing

[Matthew Green]

On 1 May 2020, at 18:52, Mary Drews  wrote:
> 
> Hi Andrea
>  
> I have a Ipevo doc camera, cost less than 100$. Easy to set up, works just 
> fine. OUSA owns several that we send to presenters for Origami Connect and we 
> use them for conventions as well. Contact me directly for more info. 
>  
> Mary Drews
>  
> From: Origami  On Behalf Of Andrea 
> Plate
> Sent: Friday, May 01, 2020 2:50 PM
> To: origami@lists.digitalorigami.com
> Subject: [Origami] document cameras for origami demo-ing
>  
> If anyone is using a document camera to demo origami folding online, please 
> share which camera you use and your evaluation.  (model and make, please)  
> I'm trying to continue my club via Zoom and sometimes need to demonstrate the 
> folding.  Hard to do through the little "eyeball" camera on the computer!
>  
> Thanks.
>  
> Andrea 
Hi Andrea,
Ditto what Mary said. I used my IPEVO to teach a figure by Zoom the other day, 
and it worked well. The image is sufficiently clear, and it’s easy to switch 
between the IPEVO USB camera and the camera built in to my laptop.

Thanks,
Matthew

Re: [Origami] Searching for #stayhome models

[Matthew Green]

> On 30 Apr 2020, at 0:12, Michelle Fung  wrote:
> 
> Hi Sara,
> 
> I'd like to add my version of the house+heart theme:
> 
> - Video tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJPJaDOV23U 
>  
> - Photo: https://flickr.com/photos/m_fung/49828307966/ 
> 
> - Crease pattern: https://flickr.com/photos/m_fung/49828883812/ 
> 
> 
> Best,
> Michelle

That’s very nice! Thank you for sharing the design.

Matthew

Re: [Origami] The most beautiful diagrams I've ever seen

[Matthew Green]

On 26 Mar 2020, at 17:03, Gerardo @neorigami.com  wrote:
> 
> I wanted to you show you all the most beautiful diagrams I've ever seen:
> https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10222045267662043=a.2083701173429=3
> 
> I believe the poster is the diagrammer and creator of the model.
> 
> Hope you also enjoy just looking at them =O
> 
> -- 
> Gerardo
> gerardo(a)neorigami.com
Thanks, Gerardo!
Those really are beautiful diagrams.
I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe and doing lots of origami.
Matthew

Re: [Origami] Questions regarding pin trading

[Matthew Green]

Gerardo asked:
1. I see a lot more rules when it comes to ATC, for example, what to write on 
the back of each card. Are there usually no rules regarding pin trading?
At OrigamiUSA, the pin trade (in which I have participated several times) is 
pretty much a friendly free-for-all; just bring some origami pins (or some 
origami somethings) and trade. People do some really creative things, both pins 
and otherwise; some make origami containers of one kind or another and put a 
piece of candy inside each one, for example. That’s why it’s now called “Pins 
Plus” or something like that nowadays. I think most of us try to put a sticker 
or label on the pin-or-whatever saying who made it and who designed it, and the 
date and occasion.

2. Those of you who have participated in the past, how many pins do you usually 
make for trading in each convention?
I make as many as I can, usually around 15-20.

3. Do you gals/guys use the pins you have received on a non-convention day?
I don’t, but I keep them and pull them out sometimes for inspiration or to show 
other origamists.

Thanks!
Matthew

Re: [Origami] Did this kusudama unit already exist?

[Matthew Green]

On 24 Dec 2019, at 9:16, Gerardo @neorigami.com  wrote:
> 
> On December 18, I had asked if a kusudama unit I was testing already
> existed or not.
> 
> Had any of you seen this kusudama before or a very similar one?
> Gerardo
> gerardo(a)neorigami.com

It doesn’t look familiar to me, but I’m not the best person to answer this 
question. I don’t fold that many kusudamas.

Happy holidays!
Matthew

Re: [Origami] Difference between a Super Nobe Unit and a Sonobe Unit

[Matthew Green]

> On Sep 3, 2019, at 11:57 AM, Kate Honeyman  wrote:
> 
> I was looking on the internet and found nothing..what is the difference
> between these two Units? Kate

Hi Kate,
I think you are referring to the Super Nobu unit, not the Super Nobe unit. The 
Sonobe Unit and Super Nobu Unit are both very versatile, but are significantly 
different from each other.

The Sonobe unit dates back to the 1960s and is generally used for closed 3D 
geometrical modular models, although it can also be used to create other 
modular shapes, even animals (see, for example, the book "Origami for the 
Connoisseur" by Kunihiko Kasahara and Toshie Takahama, 1987, originally 
published in Japanese in 1985 under the name “Top Origami"). The module is 
named after Mitsunobu Sonobe. There are many variations on the Sonobe unit.

The Super Nobu unit was created in recent years by Nobuko (hence “Nobu” unit) 
Okame. It’s structure and locking mechanism is very different from the Sonobe 
unit, although it too can be used to create a huge variety of models of 
different kinds, usually not closed (see the book "Modular Origami with Super 
Nobu Unit", by Nobuko Okabe, 2017). I haven’t seen any variations on the Super 
Nobu unit, although they may exist.

Either one can provide you with endless possibilities for exploring different 
configurations. 

I hope this helps!
Matthew

Re: [Origami] Authorization to fold a model for a pin?

[Matthew Green]

On Aug 9, 2019, at 6:17 AM, Gerardo @neorigami.com  
wrote:
> That left me thinking, is it expected to ask for authorization in order to
> fold other origamists' pins or cards for the traditional convention
> exchange? I didn't think so.
> 
> What can you guys tell me about it?

My understanding is that if you are folding the models and giving them away for 
free, and acknowledging the designer, there’s no need for permission.

Matthew

Re: [Origami] Sprung book - 21 Sterne

[Matthew Green]

On Aug 8, 2019, at 11:06 AM, Ralph Jones  wrote:
> 
> This book seems to be available only in Germany, and each place I have tried,
> apparently does not sell outside Europe. (OUSA no longer has it.)
> I am particularly interested in the Stern Veronika. I didn't find a youtube 
> for this? Or are diagrams available?
> Can anyone suggest a way to purchase this book?
> Cheers, Ralph Jones
> 

Hi Ralph,
AbeBooks says it has a copy available, that can be shipped to the USA:
https://www.abebooks.com/9783000365713/Origami-21-Sterne-Carmen-Sprung-3000365710/plp
 

Best of luck,
Matthew

Re: [Origami] Is this a good model or not quite?

[Matthew Green]

> Please, just tell if you like the model or not and how so.

> Thank you all.
> 
> Gerardo
> gerardo(a)neorigami.com

Looks good to me, Gerardo!

Thanks,
Matthew

Re: [Origami] 2018 Annual Gift

[Matthew Green]

On Dec 2, 2018, at 3:01 PM, Gerardo @neorigami.com  
wrote:
> 
> I just wanted to use this opportunity to complain about the postal service
> in my country : (
> 
> Can you believe I received that envelope, with the paper and diagrams, on
> November 20? It basically took two months to arrive to its destination.
> Imagine my disappointment when I read in the letter that the deadline for
> the fold was October 22?

I feel your pain, Gerardo! The same happened to me, and I live in a major city 
in northern Mexico, just 2 hours south of the US/Mexico border. 

Matthew

Re: [Origami] Swallow paper airplane?

[Matthew Green]

On Oct 14, 2018, at 3:33 PM, Gerardo @neorigami.com  
wrote:
> 
> Hi everyone.I know the following paper airplane from a long time ago:
> http://www.origami-instructions.com/swallow-paper-airplane.html
> 
> 1. The site calls it "swallow paper airplane". Do you know the model by any
> other name? I want to look for other instructions for it and, if it does
> have a different name, it would be very helpful to know.
> 
> 2. Is it a traditional model? If not, who created it?
> 
> Thank you  in advance *: )*


Hi Gerardo,
To follow up (or build on) what Hans said, I also found variations of this 
model in paper three different airplane books, one from the 60s, one from the 
70s, and one from the 80s, sometimes referencing the name of “swallow” and 
others just calling it an “airplane”. I couldn’t find any reference to the 
model’s ultimate origin.
Matthew

Re: [Origami] Authorization for twist fold?

[Matthew Green]

On Oct 8, 2018, at 11:34 AM, Gerardo @neorigami.com  
wrote:
> I'm interested in using the twist fold in a commercial setting. I'm
> referring to this: http://www.cutoutfoldup.com/1604-square-twist.php
> 
> Do I need to obtain authorization for that? If so, who must I ask for it?

Hi Gerardo,
I’m guessing that it’s considered a basic origami molecule, as it appears in 
many different origami models in one form or another, from roses and 
tessellations to the center of stars made from bird bases.
In other words, I don’t think you need to ask anyone’s authorization, although 
I may be wrong of course.
Matthew

Re: [Origami] Did this models already exist?

[Matthew Green]

On Sep 25, 2018, at 12:15 AM, Gerardo @neorigami.com  
wrote:
> 
> This is more of a folding exercise than a model, with which I'm
> participating in the monthly design challenge in the Origami Forum. Do you
> know someone who has folded it before?
> 
> Aside from that one, I created the following obvious models. Can you please
> tell me if you had seen them or similar models before?
> 
> Thank you in advance : )

Hi Gerardo,
I don’t remember having seen them before. They’re interesting!
Matthew

Re: [Origami] What did Mark Kennedy use to protect the models for his pins?

[Matthew Green]

On Sep 21, 2018, at 11:10 AM, Matthew Gardiner  wrote:
> 
>> I’d appreciate it if someone could tell me what product Mark Kennedy used to 
>> coat his origami figures to make his pins and magnets.
> 
> The specific brand of resin, I’m not sure, but having done some resin work 
> myself, most  work the same, they soak into the paper and make it hard, and 
> are robust. 
> 
> Best, Matthew
> 
Thanks, Matthew, and Arlene, and Gerardo, and José Tomas, and all those who 
provided information!
Matthew

Re: [Origami] Origami space flasher on the ISS

[Matthew Green]

Patsy said:
Larry Howell (BYU) just sent me the following video made by Paolo Nespoli,
Italian astronaut, on the International Space Station:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be=vu9cFGwD2Ps
WOW!!

Thanks for sharing it, Patsy!  You can almost forget he’s in space until he 
lets go of the model and it floats away... Very cool!
Matthew

[Origami] What did Mark Kennedy use to protect the models for his pins?

[Matthew Green]

Hi friends,

I’d appreciate it if someone could tell me what product Mark Kennedy used to 
coat his origami figures to make his pins and magnets.

Thank you!
Matthew

Re: [Origami] Did these models already exist?

[Matthew Green]

> On Sep 16, 2018, at 9:33 AM, Gerardo @neorigami.com  
> wrote:
> 
> I also wanted to ask for this model. Have you seen other models that end up
> as a flat (ignoring the layers) square with a "trihedron" on each corner?

Hi Gerardo,
It looks new to me! I like it.
Thanks,
Matthew

Re: [Origami] Origami Goldfish Art grant article

[Matthew Green]

On Jul 12, 2018, at 2:25 PM, Lisa Corfman  wrote:
> 
> You can read about it at:
> http://maynard.wickedlocal.com/news/20180709/maynard-resident-to-create-community-art--project
> 
> Lisa B. Corfman


I was also notified by Google news alert (I track “origami” news) when it came 
out. That’s wonderful! Congratulations!
Matthew

Re: [Origami] The Origami Piano model

[Matthew Green]

On Jul 8, 2018, at 6:06 PM, Richard Kennedy  
wrote:
> 
> > In addition to making the house and the piano, are there any other simple 
> > (beginner) models that use that base?
> 
> I learnt both these models as a child from "Folding Paper Toys" by Shari 
> Lewis and Lillian Oppenheimer. I think there is also a couch in this book, 
> and perhaps more?
> 
> Richard  (Piracicaba, SP, Brazil)
> 
Also a “newspaper boy’s hat” and a fox mask. You can also open the couch/piano 
up to make what is either a sort of scoop, or an open-backed baseball cap, or a 
bureau with a mirror on top, depending on whom you ask and on how you look at 
it. I often fold through all of these figures with kids (in this order: house, 
piano/couch, baseball cap/scoop, newspaper boy’s hat, fox mask).

Matthew (Monterrey, Mexico)

Re: [Origami] Workshop complexity during conventions?

[Matthew Green]

On Jun 5, 2018, at 12:05 PM, Gerardo @neorigami.com  
wrote:
> 1. The complexity level declared for the workshop isn't the same as the
> complexity level stated in diagrams. 

> 2. It's important to take into account the duration of the workshop when
> choosing the complexity level of the workshop. It'll be a bigger challenge
> for many attendees to fold a model in an hour instead of two.
> 
> Any advice is welcome. Thanks in advance.

Hi Gerardo!

Regarding #1, OrigamiUSA actually has a fairly detailed description of how to 
rank the difficulty of a model for purposes of convention teaching. In some 
cases it’s still unclear and requires a judgment call, but usually it’s fairly 
easy with those criteria to figure out how to rank it. The page is a bit buried 
in the website, so here’s a direct link: https://origamiusa.org/difficulty 


Regarding #2, my experience is that in order to prepare, I need to sit down and 
fold the model at a regular pace on my own, clocking how long it takes me, then 
multiply that time by at least 3, and use that as a basis for determining the 
length of the class. So, if it takes me half an hour to fold on my own, I need 
at last two 45 minute periods to teach it—possibly more, if it’s got some 
tricky steps and it’s likely to appeal to people with less advanced folding 
skills.

I hope this helps!
Thanks,
Matthew

Re: [Origami] Is it okay to fold real bank notes?

[Matthew Green]

On Mar 23, 2018, at 12:49 PM, Ali Bahmani  wrote:
> Do you think it is okay to fold the real bank notes into origami models?
> Considering that some would say that it damages it and shortens its life
> cycle, is it okay to fold and encourage others/students to do moneygami
> with real banknotes?
> Is there any law / guidelines regarding this topic?
> Ali
Hi Ali,
In the USA, it’s definitely not a problem. Bills get routinely crumpled and 
folded just by ordinary users; a folded bill might actually get better 
conserved for a while, thanks to being folded.  US bills are rugged and can 
take a lot of folding without any significant damage; you can unfold them and 
iron them and they look great, albeit not like new.
However, both bank note materials and legislation regarding what you can do 
with bills may vary from country to country. Some bank notes are practically 
unfoldable anyway because they incorporate plastic elements, and in some cases, 
folding might damage built-in security features such as holograms.
So, I’d say it’s probably a good idea to play it safe and check on local 
legislation if you think there might be some law under which doing origami with 
a bank note might be considered to be defacing the currency. I am unaware of 
any such cases, though, and have seen published photos of many different 
countries’ bank notes being used in origami.
Just my 2 cents…
Matthew

Re: [Origami] Did these models already exist?

[Matthew Green]

> 
> I'm asking here, in Spot the Creator, and some other places. Here are two
> very simple models I thought of, that I wouldn't be surprised if someone
> had created before:
> 
> They both include a mechanism in order to reveal a hidden area of the
> paper.

Hi Gerardo,
I haven’t seen either one used as an action model for revealing hidden areas or 
messages before.
Matthew

Re: [Origami] Name of these two models and their creators

[Matthew Green]

 Outside the list I learned the
> butterfly is the first model in "Dokuhon" vol. 2. Do any of you know
> Japanese and has access to the book? Can anyone please check if the name of
> the model is literally "Butterfly"?
> 
I own the book, but can’t read Japanese... I’ll send you a private email with a 
photo of the title in Japanese.

Matthew

Re: [Origami] Origami Ping Pong Launcher Challenge

[Matthew Green]

> Hi, Kate,
> 
> My browser won’t open the page you have linked. 
The link is missing a slash:
https://www.facebook.com/neorigami2/videos/2009410325741602/ 


It’s a pretty good launcher!

Matthew

Re: [Origami] Name of these two models and of their creators?

[Matthew Green]

> I had already asked about this other one with no avail, but now I REALLY
> need an answer because it's part of an article I'm writing. I learned the
> model thanks to "Beginner's Origami" by Steve and Megumi Biddle. A friend
> of them both told me they knew the model since their early days, so maybe
> it's a traditional model. Can you PLEASE verify if it's a traditional model
> or not?
> https://scontent-mia3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/26814619_2008432759172692_7649871697482355437_n.jpg?oh=b640eb8c8c3bb7a271e42b934864a09f=5AF9E958
> 
> Gerardo
> gerardo(a)neorigami.cokm

Hi Gerardo,

I don’t know about the first one, but regarding the second one, I found this, 
which looks practically identical:
https://www.origami-resource-center.com/birkeland-butterfly.html 

and is attributed to Hans Birkeland. Even here, the attribution is uncertain, 
but at least it might give you a lead…

Thanks,
Matthew

Re: [Origami] My folds for earrings

[Matthew Green]

> On Dec 18, 2017, at 9:49 AM, Gerardo @neorigami.com  
> wrote:
> 
> SORRY... I didn't send the links correctly. Here's the message once more
> with the links fixed:
> 
> Last month I shared a couple of questions through the list in relation to
> the earrings I was making with a friend. I received very useful answers
> from other members from the list. Thank you again : )

Hi Gerardo!
These look very good!
Thanks for sharing the photos and your final technique.
Matthew

Re: [Origami] Stone paper for origami?

[Matthew Green]

On Oct 21, 2017, at 5:17 PM, cafe...@pacific.net wrote:
> 
> A neighbor gave me a sheet of  "stone paper" reportedly made from rock. 
….
> Has anyone used these papers for origami?
> 
> Sources?
> 
> Louise in NorCal

A friend of mine uses “stone paper” to make really cool geometrical origami 
flower pots. I don’t know the exact source, though…. he buys it somewhere in 
Mexico City.

Matthew in Monterrey (not to be confused with Monterey)

Re: [Origami] Origami Sighting: Tortoise and hare

[Matthew Green]

On Oct 19, 2017, at 8:05 AM, Peter Mielke  wrote:
> 
> The Financial Post had an image with an origami tortoise and hare.
> 
> Any idea who's they are?
> 
> http://business.financialpost.com/entrepreneur/growth-strategies/how-slower-growth-can-get-you-to-the-finish-line-with-less-chaos

Both are by John Montroll, from his first two books: Origami for the Enthusiast 
(rabbit) and Animal Origami for the Enthusiast (tortoise).

Re: [Origami] "Cartulina artesanal"?

[Matthew Green]

On Oct 18, 2017, at 9:38 AM, Gerardo @neorigami.com  
wrote:
> Do any of you know about this paper? It's 200 g/m2, and I'm liking it a lot
> for some types of origami. Please let me know if you already knew about
> this paper and if you have access to it where you live. You can let me know
> through the list or in private by sending a message to gerardo(a)
> neorigami.com
> 
> If you had never heard about it, I'd still appreciate it if you let me know
> precisely that ; )


Hello, Gerardo,

It looks very nice, but I’ve never seen it before, as far as I can remember.

Matthew

Re: [Origami] Permission question

[Matthew Green]

> On Aug 31, 2017, at 9:23 PM, Lisa Corfman  wrote:
> 
> Hey Folders!
> 
> I am excited to be starting an after school job entertaining kindergarten
> through 3rd graders. I get to run an activity daily with the kids. My
> question is, can I teach origami and whose models can I teach? I am not
> getting paid to teach the kids origami, I am just making sure they are safe
> and have a good afternoon. I do want to inspire a love of origami in the
> kids. Any suggestions?
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> Lisa

Hi Lisa,

I think your safest bet is to teach traditional origami, or origami for which 
the creator has freely distributed diagrams. 
By traditional origami, I mean models the author of which  is unknown and which 
have been around “forever." A good source for traditional origami is John 
Montroll’s book “Fun and Simple Origami.”  It has some models of his own 
design, but most of the 101 models are traditional, and hence public domain 
(not the diagrams, but you can teach the models without distributing diagrams). 
For free diagrams on the internet, there are many resources, but 
http://www.origami-resource-center.com/ 
 is a good place to start.

I’m sure others will chime in with plenty more suggestions…

Have fun!
Matthew


 

Re: [Origami] Crowd funding An Interview/Documentary Origami Project

[Matthew Green]

On Aug 7, 2017, at 8:35 PM, Ali Bahmani  wrote:
> Below is the link to more about the project and the dedicated crowd funding
> page.
> 
> *www.youcaring.com/origamiartists *
> 
> I hope you will consider supporting my project, which, admittedly, is time
> sensitive

Hi Ali,
I went to your funding page, but it says that the “fundraiser is not active at 
this time,” so I couldn’t make a donation.
Thanks,
Matthew

Re: [Origami] Kickstarting a book

[Matthew Green]

On Jul 9, 2017, at 1:20 PM, n...@12testing.net wrote:
> 
> Income as a professional origami artist is unspectacular, so I'm
> hoping Kickstarter will give me the freedom to work to my own
> standards.
> More news when the project is ready to launch ;)
> Nick Robinson
> 
> http://www.looping.me.uk
> 

Sounds great! Please do keep us in the loop, so we can support the project when 
it goes live.
Thanks!
Matthew

Re: [Origami] Information about this weathercock

[Matthew Green]

> 
> I came upon this page https://twitter.com/origamifolding, which is a
> Twitter feed and changes with time and today it's showing a post by someone
> with the nick karipi about a weathercock. Google translate doesn't make
> much sense of the text accompanying the picture, it even says that it's
> made out of 48 pieces in the shape of bellows.
> 
> The direct link to the picture of the weathercock is
> https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DBH-F6UUMAAlkNV.jpg
> 
> Does anyone know who created this model and could also share something
> about the model?
> 
> -- 
> Jorge Jaramillo

Bellows are made with pleats, so I’m sure it means that it’s box pleated on a 
regular 48x48 grid. 
Beyond that, I don’t know anything about the model or designer.

Matthew

Re: [Origami] Convention

[Matthew Green]

> On Thu, Jul 6, 2017 at 6:38 PM,  > wrote:
> 
>> Has anyone posted photos from the Convention? I could not attend this year 
>> and would love to see photos.

I didn’t get many photos, but I did do a number of live videos, including a 
tour of the exhibition and coverage of the judging of the oversized folding 
competition. If you are on Facebook, you can see them on my page 
(https://www.facebook.com/morigamiclub 
). I hope to get them (and more 
unpublished video material from the convention) on my YouTube channel soon as 
well (https://www.youtube.com/morigamiclub 
).

Matthew

Re: [Origami] Origami question

[Matthew Green]

> Does anyone know how to order origami books from this site?
> 
> I can't figure out how to translate the writing into English so that I can
> understand it.

If you open the page with Google Chrome, it should offer you to translate the 
text from Japanese into English (it worked for me). However, I started the 
ordering process, and it looks like the vendor doesn’t ship outside Japan.

Good luck!
Matthew

Re: [Origami] How to find traditional/Creative Commons origami Models

[Matthew Green]

On Apr 3, 2017, at 11:37 PM, Ashok Mathur  wrote:
> 
> Are there any sources to find "traditional"/ "public domain" Origami models?
> 

Hello Ashok,

You can find a large number of traditional origami models in certain origami 
books, like John Montroll’s book “Fun and Simple Origami: 101 Easy-To-Fold 
Projects” - 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1478189835/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8=1
 
.
 They aren’t all original models, but most are, and he’s careful about proper 
attribution of models to their authors, so you can be pretty sure which figures 
are or are not public domain. (The diagrams, of course, are all protected, but 
you can teach the traditional models without using John Montroll’s diagrams).

There are other books that are also careful about attribution and include 
traditional models; for example, Robert Harbin was also clear in attributing 
the models in his books, and Secrets of Origami (just to name one) includes a 
number of good traditional models. Or look at The Joy of Origami, by Toshie 
Takahama, The Magic of Origami, by Alice Gray and Kunihiko Kasahara…  and so 
on.  There tends to be a lot of overlap among the different books, though. The 
first one I mentioned (the John Montroll book) is a good place to start.

Best wishes,
Matthew

Re: [Origami] Rain Lily Origami

[Matthew Green]

> On Mar 16, 2017, at 2:31 PM, cafe...@pacific.net wrote:
> 
> The blog, "Paper Patty" for February 26,2017 shows a 6 petal flower with 6 
> pointed petals and "stamens?" shapes along the edge of each petal.
> ---
> I am curious about the source of this design and would like diagrams.
> ---
> Email to Paper Patty has not been answered.
> 
> Louise in Northern California
> 

Hello Louise,

I visited the site, and the flower you are talking about is tagged as “My 
Doodles”. Given that, and the rest of the description given, and the fact that 
she always seems to credit the designer for other models, I’d say it’s Paper 
Patty’s original design, so the only source for diagrams or a tutorial would be 
Patty herself. If she’s not answering, I’m not sure what else you can do. I 
tried looking up the domain name with a “whois” service but the contact info is 
protected, so I couldn’t find any leads as to the true identity of Paper Patty… 
Maybe there are other more skilled internet sleuths out there who could help 
you with this!

Anyway, I hope she answers your messages eventually!

Matthew in Monterrey, Mexico

Re: [Origami] Toot: D Dragon+ magazine

[Matthew Green]

> Dragon+, the magazine of D, asked me to design an origami version of their 
> ampersand-dragon logo for their December issue. It’s out now and on the 
> newsstands, and there’s an online version, which you can find here:
> 
> 
> Robert

Great design, Robert! Thanks for letting us know and sharing the link.

Matthew

Re: [Origami] September update

[Matthew Green]

> When I follow the link, I arrive at a page full of spam links.
> Has something gone wrong? 
>Hans
> 
Hans,
I don’t have any problem with the link - I don’t get any spam, just lots of 
beautiful origami!
Matthew

Re: [Origami] Folding sequences of structural similar models

[Matthew Green]

On Aug 11, 2016, at 3:35 AM, Anna <origa...@gmail.com> wrote:
...it is possible to use a completely different folding
sequence to come to a structurally identical model. So is this still the
same model? I mean the outcome may be similar, but the path to get there
isn't.
…….
I wonder this because sometimes for really simple models someone folds a
single fold differently and calls it hos own model. 
-
And then I've got a second question that is even more pressing for me.
Lets say I've derived at my own folding sequence for a specific model and I
want to share it with the world by publishing diagrams for it, am I allowed
to?
Do I need permission from the author? 

Hello Anna,

To answer part of your question, I’d say that if the final structure is 
identical or very nearly identical, it counts as the same model, regardless of 
the folding sequence. I say this in part because I sometimes use different 
folding sequences for my own designs, and in no way do I think, “I just 
invented a new model!” No, I discovered a new way to get to the model. By 
analogy, if someone were to discover an island in the Pacific Ocean by sailing 
east from Japan, and someone else discovered it by sailing west from 
California, the first person to get there gets to say that they discovered it. 
You can’t say, “I took a different route, so the island is new.” Similarly, if 
a pharmaceutical company has the patent on a medicine, another company can’t 
sell the same product with the claim that “I made it using a different method.” 
If it’s the same chemical, it’s the same product.
I do think, however, that someone can take credit for discovering a new and 
ingenious folding method, but if I were do do that for, say, the Kawasaki Rose, 
it would still the Kawasaki Rose, but perhaps “folded using the Matthew Green 
method”. 
Therefore, I’d say you also have to ask permission to publish diagrams for a 
new method for someone else’s model, because the goal is to make the model; the 
folding sequence is the method, not the goal.
I think people do sometimes incorrectly claim that they “invented” a model when 
they simply made a minor modification to an existing model.

That’s my two cents on this topic… Have a great day!
Matthew Green
Monterrey, Mexico