LaFosse & Alexander's Essential Book of Origami by Michael G. Lafosse & Richard L. Alexander

Author:Michael G. Lafosse & Richard L. Alexander
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-4-8053-1268-1
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing

People rarely use their hands with equal facility: a right-handed person usually places folds with that hand while securing the paper with the left, whether folding against a surface or in the air. The hand that you write with is also your dominant working, or “folding” hand; the other is your “holding” hand. And like partners in a dance, one leads as the other follows. At first, this can be challenging, and it may feel ugly and stilted. Michael likes to use his Lesson from the Heart as a practice étude to help his students work through the performance, developing the required support (for the strength and control) necessary for folding confidently in the air. He calls this exercise “a conversation between two hands.” Perfect it by rehearsing over and over again, so that you build a rhythm and cadence. Work to remove any awkward gaps interrupting the flow. With practice, folding in the air can become an enjoyable experience, and when you master this performance, it will also be quite lovely to watch.

Practice with the common papers that you have, such as 6-inch / 15-cm origami paper, or even the largest squares cut from letter-size printer stock. Begin your practice by folding the Lesson from the Heart against the surface of a table until you have learned the sequence by “Heart.” Only when you are able to fold the model without referring to the instructions will you be able to put your full concentration on controlling these folds in the air. Use the same size and type of paper for each attempt until you have mastered it, and then challenge yourself with other paper kinds and sizes. We think you will be surprised at the level of control that you will develop, and we hope that you will adopt this little exercise as part of your origami performance repertoire.

Takeaways

I love what origami master Akira Yoshizawa once said, as quoted in Leland Stowe’s article, Paper Magic of Origami, Beacon Magazine of Hawai‘i, 1970: “For when we use our hands effectively, our hearts are most at peace.” Another quote that I love is one spoken by origami artist, Paul Jackson, in the film Between the Folds, “The process of making is the point of it. The object looks good if the process felt good. This needs to be a kind of ballet.” Indeed, Yoshizawa often spoke of folding masterfully as a kind of “dancing with the paper”.

Master this model, and then “perform” it for, and give it to, a friend. You will know if you have presented a special moment by the watching the expression on their face, as they watch your graceful hands fashion this heart.

As a moment of meditation for yourself, try folding this heart to a favorite piece of music. Select a score that suits your folding style and one that will allow you plenty of time to savor every move!

This Origami Heart is dedicated to the memory of Mr. Yoshizawa.

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