History Pt. II

Image Source: Google

How was origami perceived in the Western world? Was it different than how the East perceived it? Were their similar techniques practiced? According to Engel, "the earliest practitioners of origami in the West were the Moors, who are thought to have brought paper and paper folding to Spain when they invaded that country in the eighth century" (18). However in 1492, the Moors were expelled from Spain during the Inquisition, thus preventing a chance for paper folding to be considered "a predominantly Spanish past time" today (Engel 18). As for the techniques or practices the Moors themselves had created, little is known about this although it is likely centered around "folding properties of the square" (Engel 18). This indicates most of their folding techniques are of purely geometric shapes. This is contrasting to what the Japanese explored as their origami exploration was for artistic and ceremonial purposes. Later on, modern origami or modular origami became a trend. This practice followed "strict mathematical ratios of angels and edge lengths" (Engel 18). It often "prioritizes a puzzle aspect to the folding, and the challenge of folding a single square of paper without using cuts or glue" (History of Origami). These creations were highly regarded as some of these origami models are copyrightable material or intellectual property (History of Origami). Akira Yoshizawa himself was a forefather figure in modern origami (History of Origami). "In the 1930s, he developed a system of folding patterns employing a set of symbols, arrows, and diagrams" (History of Origami). These were published by the 1950s and helped origami reach a global scale and standardization (History of Origami). Origami as a result became publicized art with several local and international organizations being formed (History of Origami).

Source: Pacific Shoji Works

Paper is a vital material in origami for obvious reasons. It is the main material use to construct the figurines in origami culture. However, what was the history for paper in Japan? It is definitely a vital raw material that has been used in various ways. To make paper, the Japanese grew trees in the wild and used their own techniques and skills to produce the vital material (Ogawa). These skills that make Japanese paper by hand are still "transmitted from father to son" today (Ogawa). As for the use of paper (with the exception of origami), it has been used to create spaces for living with the shoji of Japanese interiors being a prime example (Ogawa). The right image shows this interior. The paper "retains heat yet is porous enough to allow the circulation of air" as well as permitting "a sofgt light to prevade the interior and gently bathe the people there" (Ogawa). Other ways paper were used include creations of kites, pinwheels, umbrellas, and more. Overall, "the Japanese have inherited from their ancestors pastimes and customs involving many different ways of folding and assembling paper" (Ogawa). We can see this heavy cultural impact and influence being celebrated during festivals such as the Festival of the Weaver Star where paper cranes are made to send wishes to the heavens and streamers being solely constructed by paper (Ogawa).
As for the Westerners, what was the history for paper in their culture like? A prime example for them would be the use of paper for sculptures. "Paper sculpture has been widely used for such applications as window displays" since the 1930s (Ogawa). Pablo Picasso and Alexander Calder are some of the artists that have created these sculptures while architects have used paper as "structural components" (Ogawa). Architect Buckminster Fuller himself have designed "a geodesic dome made of paper and bamboo" (Ogawa).


For those who are interested more in modern origami or in modular structures, here is Robert Lang's TEDTalk below. Enjoy!





Sources:
Engel, Peter. "A Paper Folder's Finding." 24: 16-22. Web. 28 May 2014."Frequently Asked Questions."
"History of Origami." PBS. PBS, 30 Nov. 2009. Web. 28 May 2014. <http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/between-the-folds/history.html>.
Ogawa, Hiroshi. The Art of Papercaft. London: Batsford, 1971. Print.
Lang, Robert. "The Math and Magic of Origami." TEDTalk. Feburary 2008. Lecture.