Origami – the art of Paper folding
The beautiful art of sculpting by only folding a square shaped paper sheet popularly known as Origami, originates from Japan.Many two dimensional and three-dimensional figures can be formed by folding paper sheets. Cutting was a part of traditional origami, but modern origami practitioners or folders prefer to create forms without any use of cutting, gluing or marking on paper. Origami is a Japanese term and at earlier this art of paper folding associated was with the Japanese culture but in modern times the word “origami” is used as an inclusive term for all folding practices, regardless of their culture or origin.
Like many other art forms origami was also used for sacred purposes, it began in temples where the paper was folded in a special way to be presented as a token of appreciation to the gods.It then became a form of entertainment and games for a variety of ages, as it was taught in schools. But it is not just limited to entertainment or fun as it also improves spatial perception, logical and sequential thinking as well as focus and concentration. This unique and ancient art form is making a strong comeback and see it all around us. In the age where we are much conscious about environmental changes and prefer to use eco-friendly materials to reduce plastics and polyethene, paper is the best alternative.And using paper in creative way is a virtuous method to appreciate the cause. Whether it is a pizza box, paper bag, or envelops and fancy napkins on dining table they all are beautifully done with the technique of origami.
In this unique art form usually square shaped paper sheet is used in various sizes and it commonly has one coloured or printed side and oneplain white side. However, dual coloured and patterned versions also exist. Light weight paper is used to attain more folds and creases. From a very simple form like paper aeroplane or paper boat to the very intricate detailed forms like realistic animal figures can be formed by origami techniques. The best-known origami model is the Japanese paper crane.While origami has traditionally been done with a single sheet of square paper and a series of precise folds, modern origami has many variants which are not restricted by the shape of paper but it still has a flexibility to explore more to create new versions. In these variants there are no limitations, folders may use many different techniquesto showcase their art of folding. There are varioustypes of origami and on the basis of different techniques and style art of origami is divided into various categories.
Action Origami
Action origami is kind of animated origami it includes origami that flies or moves. The original traditional action origami is the flapping bird. Action origami, after the model is complete requires kinetic energy of a person’s hands, applied at a certain region to animate it. Paper planes of spinners which have no moving parts are also included in action origami. Traditional action origami occasionally involved cuts, but modern models are typically constructed without cuts. Action origami is usually toy, built to amuse, but some are designed to inspire and wonder. Action origami first appeared with the traditional Japanese flapping bird. Robert Lang‘s ‘Instrumentalists’ are also famous examples of action origami. Lang is recognized as one of the leading theorists of the mathematics of origami. In his model ‘instrumentalists’ when the figures’ heads are pulled away from their bodies, their hands move, resembling the playing of music.
Wet-folding,
This is a technique of forming models with gentle curves rather than straight geometrical folds. This technique is used to produce realistic animal models with intricate details. Dampened paper is used so it can be moulded easily because of its softness and flexibility, but model takes its final shape only after it dries.
Pureland origami
This type of origami adds the restrictions that only simple triangular or mountainfolds may be used, and all folds must have straightforward locations. It was developed by John Smith in the 1970s to help inexperienced folders or those with limited motor skills. Some designers also like the challenge of creating within the very strict constraints.
Origami tessellationsis
It’s one the creative and intricate techniques which makes it possible to create complex, repeating patterns on a plane by folding a single sheet of paper.A tessellation is when shapes are arranged side by side to produce a pattern with no gaps in between. In this technique thesingle sheet of paper is folded in such a manner that it has a tessellated pattern.Origami tessellations can be used for figurative models representing an animal or as decoration on origami boxes.
Kirigami
Kirigami is another variant of origami; the term is used for paper cutting. Modern innovations in techniques deny the use of cuts in origami. Most origami designers do not consider models with cuts to be origami, instead the term Kirigami is used to describe them.Three-dimensional design that stands away from the surface or paper sheet is created by cutting as well as folding the paper.
Origami fringe or strip folding
This is a technique which has a combination of paper folding and paper weaving. Many fanatics of origami have embraced this form of paper art. Along with the paperpalmweavingis also included into this genre of art by some origami artists.
Tea Bag Folding
It refers to the folding of tea bag wrappers. This unique style of origami was introduced by a Holland lady named Tiny van der Plaas. She first used tea bag wrappers in 1992 as a decorative paper and was inspired to use them in greeting cards. From then, tea bag folding continues to be a popular method for making cards and decorations.
