December meeting report

The meeting began by welcoming Pauline Trew the British Origami Societies librarian, to the fold. Pauline brought along a selection of books from the library and will be attending meetings regularly.

Steve Brown and Paul Hanson showed their creations for the 'Christmas challenge'. Steve produced a selection of decorations which are variations of the "Cube Transformer" by Larisa Perelehova, featured in the Autumn 2002 Convention Pack. Paul brought along a version of his angel, the diagrams for which appeared in the least issue of the newsletter. Rikki Donachie showed card he had created for his son, which he said was not origami and therefore felt it did not qualify for the challenge. However, it is so good we have included a photo of it below. He also brought along further developments of his fish models as pictured below.

Rikki taught the Aerobotch model from Stationary Flight (reviewed last issue). This model required a significant level of adjustment for flight which was a "folding technique" session in itself. Two young girls displayed curiosity at our activities. Ricky addressed this by demonstrating the folding of the Randlett style of flapping bird, with complementary story. Steve then encouraged them to fold the, traditional, flapping bird using a technique that avoids direct reverse folds. They, both, achieved a completed model with much satisfaction.

Sharon Turvey (who it is understood to be pitching for creating an origami Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square next year), was invidted to choose the next challenge subject, which is Food. She said it must not include food in its natural state such as a cow!

Denver challenged the group to open the model known as the 'tamper proof letter' (a no-prize will be given to the person who can come up with the name of the creator of this model), and refold it without any tampering being detected. Sharon proved to everyone that the title was somewhat misleading. Perhaps only Sherlock Holmes himself could have detected that the tamper proof letter had been tampered with, everyone else agreed that the title 'tamper proof' was somewhat exagerated.

Folding challenge No. 8 - Food
Create a model representing FOOD (in the state ready to eat)

If you would like to have a go at the challenge but can not make it to the meeting we would still like to see your model. You can post it to Steve Brown (address in the BOS mailing list). Only packages which can be posted through a standard UK letter box will be accepted. Do not send your only copy of a model. And It can not be returned without an S.A.E.

Have a go, even if you do not normally create models — this may be the inspiration you need.
The following provide useful information on designing models.
Wayne's - Creating Origami
David Petty's - Creating Origami
David Brill on creativity from British Origami Society Magazine 101
Martin Wall on creativity from British Origami Society Magazine 102
Robert Lang on creativity from British Origami Society magazine 128
Interview with Eric Joisel from British origami Society magazine 189

Book - Creative Origami by Kunihiko Kasahara Chapter V (15 page guide to creating)

Book - Origami Design Secrets - by Robert Lang

From The Library of the British Origami Society

Origami Vehicles in a new style by Akira Kawamura

The book is in Japanese, therefore the titles of the models listed here are assumed from observation of the photographs of the completed models. The new style mentioned in the title appears to be 'box pleating'. The paper for the models requires preparation using a pencil, and ruler to divide the paper into the necessary segments for folding.

Models

1. Steam Train (old west style)
2. Train Carriages
3. Train trucks (various)
4. Open top sports car
5. Open top sports car (similar to MG)
6. Car
7. Police car
8. USA Style ambulance
9. Heavy duty army low loader truck carrying missile (Russian Style)
10. Army Land rover
11. Three wheeler low loader truck
12. Tracker
13. 1030's style gangster cars
14. Fixed top sports car
15. Racing cars (1930 - 1940's)
16. Sailing boat
17. Row boat
18. Ships with funnels
19. Steam train (European style)

Library books are available to members from Pauline Trew. If you attend LondonOrigami mini meetings and would like to borrow a specific book e-mail Pauline and she will bring it along to the next meeting if possible. Please ensure you will be attending the meeting before requesting the book.

1988 - Published by Kyoto Shoin Ltd.

Origami T-shirt

This T-shirt design depicts the folding sequence of a traditional butterfly design, together with the image of a Japanese influenced face with decorated origami butterflies occupying the area of her hair. This image by Paul Hanson can be purchased for £11.93 ($22.80) anywhere in the world and will be printed by a local print centre to reduce foreign mail costs. To see an enlarged view of the image and further details click on the image. Mugs are also available with the design.

Easy Origami Ornaments, a step-by-step guide by Anita Barbour

How often have you required a simple decorative ornament for some purpose and then spent 2 – 3 hours fooling around with some paper before coming up with something?

No longer will this be necessary. Ms Barbour has produced an excellent collection of simple yet effective ornamental origami.

In this book there are over 60 different designs which can be used for earrings, broaches, tree decorations, gift packaging, greetings cards, etc, etc.

None of the designs are very difficult and, to help you choose which one you might wish to do, there is a very handy colour photograph of most of them on the front and back covers and on an inclusive and useful bookmark all with numbers to find them within the book.

The book begins with an exhaustive and highly detailed explanation of the various origami symbols. I was glad to see that she has not re-invented any that already exist. Although she has added a couple of her own for particular moves. The 36 pages of introduction and explanation are perfect for a beginner. Every move is explained carefully and drawn clearly. She even explains about making the end results into earrings.

The whole book is suffused with Ms. Barbour’s personality from her charming asides within the instructions to the hand drawn diagrams. The text itself appears to be hand written, very neatly. Apparently the font used is based on Ms. Barbour’s own handwriting and is rather attractive, legible and easy on the eye. In origami instructions hand drawn diagrams often spoil the whole effort if they have been drawn wrongly and/or scruffily which, sadly, is often the case. (A piece of advice here to anyone reading this, if you are diagramming please, please, please do it neatly and get someone else to check for errors) However, I am pleased to say that in this particular book the diagrams are neat and easy to understand and, as far as I can tell, free from errors. She has an interesting sequence on folding a bird base without doing petal-folds; this might be useful for teachers of origami.

In conclusion, this is a very useful and helpful addition to anyone’s origami library. It would be particularly good for newcomers to our art.

 Rikki Donachie

12 December 2004

Muzak for origami

Do you listen to music when you do origami? Are you inspired to create or soothed in a mellow melodic whisper of rippling creases? LondonOrigami would like to exclusively uncover this hitherto unspoken folding phenomenon. Here we present a selection of specially chosen music. Would you like to tell us of your own favourites? E-mail us with your reviews.

Kitaro - Silk Road Part 1

Kitaro is a Japanese instrametalist who became exposed to western synthersiser technology early on in this musical development. This exposure led him to create a distinctive sound which transports the listener into a realm of peace and power.

Silk Road starts with the title track which is a classic in every sense of the word, it is difficult to find the words to prase the quality of this composition. When I first heard this track I was mesmerised and I don't know anyone who does not like the track whether a fan of electronic music or not. The music for this album was originally composed for a Japanese TV series of the same name.

Kitaro’s musical structure tends to follow 2 distinct patterns. The melodic tune like the title track, and secondly the rhythmic track. Heavenly Father and Shimmering light are examples of the latter, revolving around evolving patterns or drum beats which build and flow like a wave. Kitaro performs a ritual every year at he foot of mount Fuji which involves beating an acoustic drum for what many may consider an excessively long period.

Kitaro is mainly known for his use of a synth flute sound to lay the lead melody line, this is combined with the pitch bend facility of synthersizers to move the flute like sound beyond what can be achieved with an acoustic flute. This characteristic style is matched with good musical structure which does not necessary follow conventional western rules, but extends them rather than compromise.

Another favourite of mine is Flying Celestial Nymphs.

An excellent early album which got him noticed, but he had even better to come.

Paul Hanson

1980 Pony Canyon Records Re-released 1996 Domo Records (illustrated)

1. Silk Road
2. Bell Tower
3. Heavenly Father
4. The Great River
5. The Great Wall of China
6. Flying Celestial nymphs
7. Silk Road fantasy
8. Shimmering Light
9. Westbound
10. Time
11. Bodhisattva
12. Everlasting Road

Shootin' Gallery

During the summer months LondonOrigami have been involved with charity functions, assisting with fund raising using origami. An idea introduced this year was the use of Mark Leonard's crossbow to create a shootin' gallery where members of the public can donate some money to have the chance of winning an origami model if they hit it with a paper dart from the crossbow. This has proven popular and we are intending to do this again. However we need models which can be shot at! We would therefore like to invite everyone to donate a model or two to the shootin' gallery. The models will not be sold. They will be given away as a prize. Any appropriate unwanted models made at future mini meetings will also be used. Please send your models to Paul Hanson (address in the BOS membership list).

LondonOrigami CDRom Project

Your work is steadily coming in for the LondonOrigami CDRom, however we need to begin to draw things to a close and thus a deadline is proposed for you to submit all your material. The proposed date is by 1st May 2005. By this date all your diagrams, written information about each model, details of your self, photographs and other material you would like to include must be submitted. If anyone feels they need more time please email us. A confirmation of this deadline and an updated information document will be issued in the next few weeks.

Photographing models - One important aspect of this CD is good photographs. For those who are intending to photograph their own models for the CDRom the following link provides some valuable information on how to photograph small objects artistically. Nikon Digital photography

What benefit are mini meetings?

• If you are a beginner it is useful to see how other people fold models.

• If you are having difficulty with a model perhaps someone else can help.

• We are fortunate in the London area to have a number of enthusiasts who design models; therefore a new model appears at most meetings together with diagrams.

• If you design models yourself the meetings are an opportunity to test diagrams and receive feedback on your design.

• Perhaps you would like to create your own models but don't know where to start - others will be able to give you some advice.

• Borrow books from the British origami Societies library - a selection of book will be brought along to most meetings.

• Order a book to borrow from the Librarian and collect it at the meeting.
  Ultimately Mini meetings are an opportunity to meet other origami enthusiasts.
  
  We hope to see you there.
  
  If you have any questions please contact Steve Brown (Tel. No. is in the BOS Magazine), or send an e-mail.
  
  

Website of the month

As this newsletter is going out with the festive season still upon us....

Deck the halls - Origami Swami's Christmas

London members websites

In this section we are featuring the web sites of members in the London area. If you have a web site please send us the link.

Robin Glynn

The opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the British Origami Society.

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