Dedicate your summer vacation for Origami

Leslie Thyagarajan, who had mesmerised the art lovers of Mysore with Filterism, an exclusive art with abstract lines connecting with each other to assume another form, is all set to enthrall Mysoreans with Origami, after amazing response for his filterism art and other paintings’ exhibition.

The dextrous fingers folding and creasing sheets of paper into an object that resembles a crane, a pelican, a flower and such objects in just a few seconds may be new to the people here, but it is a traditional Japanese folk art of paper folding called Origami.

His Origami models of mountains, birds, elephant, horses, giraffe, owl, crabs, fish and human forms in different colours attracted the viewers at an expo held at Kalamandira recently.

Speaking to City Herald, Leslie said that Origami is a Japanese art where Ori means folding and Kami means paper, Kami changes to gami when pronounced together.

This traditional art has then evolved into a modern art form which transforms a flat sheet of material into a finished sculpture through folding and sculpting techniques. Cutting or pasting or sticking paper is a strict no-no for traditional Origami.

The number of basic Origami folds is small, but they can be combined to make intricate designs. These designs begin with a square sheet of paper whose sides may be of different colours and prints. Explaining further, Leslie said that he had learnt the art of origami through books, website and also by observing others. In his want for indulgence and learning something new, Origami was was not tough for Leslie, who says concentration is very important to learn the art well.

A huge crab model made out of paper measuring 6 ft and when folded the completed model was of 2.5 ft, which Leslie says no one has ever tried in our country. He had used ordinary craft and handmade paper for the models as he found it difficult to procure the material here.

Origami not only arises curiosity among children wondering how a simple sheet of paper turns into a flower, boxes, animals, insects, buildings and even takes human form, but is also used in making models to learn arithmetic in a easy way. Some engineers make use of this art in making a model of your proposed house with the complete picture of interior and exterior colours, which will enable you to have an idea how your dream house would look like.

This paper engineering also helps in medical fields, which acts as a model for the future doctors. Origami is much sought after since it is inexpensive and except for the cost of paper, what you need is concentration and love for the art, says Leslie.

Moreover, Leslie was successful in learning this Japanese art and has displayed the same at several exhibitions in Japan and has won accolades by the artisans there. Leslie is willing to impart classes for those interested in learning the art.

Some simple suggestions given by Leslie for the beginners:

First find some paper, either special Origami paper or ordinary printer paper and it will look great even on gift wrapping paper.

Choose a model you would like to make and fold each crease very well. Follow the instructions as every part of the instruction is important read it carefully as if you miss a piece of information it could make the model more difficult.

Be patient as it is contemplative and relaxed activity and you can’t go rushing through instructions. Start with a simple model and then go on to a difficult one and have fun trying out new models mixing Science and Mathematics.