After the success of making the Origami Crane, I wanted to explore more three-dimensional origami designs. I found a tutorial video on Youtube that showed how to make the Butterfly, Origami style. Making the Origami design of the Butterfly included scissors, which I was a bit apprehensious about because traditional origami is exclusively hands only. In the name of art and innovation, I decided to forget about tradition and go for it, it's origami what can I lose?
Here is the Origami tutorial I used to make my Origami Butterfly! I hope this inspires you to explore transforming the paper-plane into a three-dimensional object.
Below is my process of making the Origami Butterfly.
Origami Butterfly's are adorable! This iteration was probably the least technical, but still engaging because of it's three-dimensional depth and can even fly a little similarly to the Crane. Making Origami can make you feel like a little kid again!
On that note, in relation to the readings introduced throughout the semester, I'm not sure how making Origami relates to the themes that have been discussed. The Origami I have explored is a more playful approach to making, with no political undertones and has no functionality other than being decorative. During my process of making origami, although I liked having the opportunity to making something with my hands, I still felt isolated to my computer. For me to explore a diverse range of designs I needed the internet, and open-source resources to continually challenge myself. I needed to explore more origami designs to keep me interested.
As a result of my dependancy on the internet, and need to explore different designs I felt more of a consumer than a maker who had the possibility of making a political change, or to participate in our consumer social context in a new way.
I don't think I will continue exploring the possibilities of origami.
I mentioned in the previous post, that I wanted to explore more three-dimensional origami designs. I found that my earlier iterations weren't as challenging to fold and I wanted to try making an origami design that had more aesthetic depth. I decided to explore one of the most popular origami designs: the Crane. The process of folding wasn't as complex as the Angel Fish, taking be about five minutes to complete. However, I do prefer the three-dimensional aspect of the origami Crane; plus it has a little more aerodynamic ability than the fish :)
I owe a big thanks to the Youtuber's who uploaded their origami tutorials.
Below is my process of making the Crane.
So far, this is my favourite Origami design that I've tried. I think it looks very elegant and whimsical. I feel like this iteration was more of a success, so I'm going to explore another three-dimensional Origami designs.
My first iteration of origami was the bird. The bird was an easy one to begin with because it onlyconsisted of 12 folds. Using my instruction manual that came with the origami kit, I found the instructions for the Angel Fish, this one consisting of 18 folds. However, the instructions manual ended up lacking clarity, so below I have the youtube instructional video I used to create my Angel Fish.
Below is my first iteration of the Angel Fish origami fold. In the proper folding of this origami figure, the fins are suppose to be overtop of the diamond shaped center. At some point during my origami folding process I made a mistake. I'm planning on making it again, hoping I'll find out where my mistake was.
I used this style of paper for my first iteration because of the creases and careless lines it shows in the final presentation. Using this paper took the pressure off of feeling the need to make the angel fish perfect the first time.
Below is the process of making the third iteration of the Angel Fish.
Final three iterations. Still didn't quite get it right, but I'm not worried about it.
Both of my origami iterations of the bird and the angel fish lie flat. For my next iteration I would like to make an origami figure that stands up. So stay tuned for my next post!
After buying my materials, an "Origami Mobile Kit" from Opus, I got started on my first origami iteration. For my first origami iteration, I made a red bird. Folding this origami form was a lot easier than I thought, taking me only about 10 minutes to do. I made two more iterations of the Bird the only difference being the colour of paper.
I found this type of fold very beginner, which was perfect for me. The only difficult part the folding process was wrapping one end of the paper through the other, ultimately forming a knot in the center. As for the paper materials, I prefer using the red and flower prints because they look more aesthetically finished. While the shiny green iteration looks a bit more crumpled and made without care.
Majoring in the FVIM program next year, much of my artwork is produced through a screen. Although this iteration of the Origami Bird was simple to make, I found a new kind of fulfillment in transforming a flat piece of paper into a representational object with my own hands. I felt more connected to the experience of making.
For my next iterations I will challenge myself with experimenting with more difficult folds such as the
Crane, and Pop Up Star.
So far, so fun!
Below are some photographs of my process making the Origami Bird.
Here begins my documentation of my project for Writing Across the Arts.
Who?
Me, Chelsea !
What ?
Origami ! As for research for the history and material's sections for this project I will use books, instructional videos, and help from the internet.
Where ?
The space that I can make Origami is versatile, since only paper is involved and a instructional book/video. If it's raining, I'll be indoors, sitting at a table whether it's at home, at a library, or a cafe. And if the sun is shining, you'll find me outside under a tree folding origami.
When ?
My timeline is a bit up in the air. Once I have read a couple instructional videos/manuals, collected my materials, and experimented with my iterations I'll have a better idea. I will make sure that my timeline takes into account my in school workshops and personal activities.
Week of May 28: research materials / research history / collect materials & history resources
Week of June 2: first iterations / write progress and historical facts & understanding
Week of June 9: refine iterations / collect more materials if necessary / refine and finish
Week of June 11: Hand in!
Why ?
Western Art and Culture is interesting, but since I've been studying and am surrounded by I feel this project gives me the opportunity to explore art and culture of Japan; a subject that is foreign to me.
How ?
In my early iterations I'll start with simple folding techniques and branch off from there. I'm also interested in using different materials to fold with, maybe I'll come up with my own abstract design or folded figurine. By playing around with materials and techniques I hope to learn the possibilities of my limitations.
Other ?
I've written in blogs before, but documenting my creative process is new to me, but I'm interested to see where it will be fun for me and where it will frustrate me.
Here's a documentary by PBS called Between the Folds (2008)
