Michelle Awh, Class of 2023
Origami Experience:
I ‘m Michelle, a 4th year undergraduate student studying Neuroscience. I began doing origami as a kid, folding from a book called Origami on The Go. In high school, I went deeper into the rabbit hole, learning more complex folding techniques, how to design my own models, and about the math and science surrounding origami. I think that my favorite thing about origami is its transformative nature. I love the intersection of simplicity and complexity and the idea of taking a single simple 2D sheet and, without adding, subtracting, or cutting, turning it into something with the ability to convey life, emotion, and beauty. I also love how origami communities are made up of people with interests in math, science, art, and so many more disciplines. It’s one of those rare types of art that appeals to so many different niches, and it’s also so accessible, since all you need is a piece of paper.
Most of my models here are music themed. I originally came up with the music theme because I noticed that there were a lot of cool origami depictions of musical instruments / musicians, and I wanted an excuse to fold a bunch of them. Later, I realized how appropriate the music theme is, as many prominent origami designers and artists have compared origami and music, such as Robert Lang and John Montroll. The above designers named many of their works with musical conventions, using symphony or opus numbers to refer to designs / groups of designs. Origami and music are both art forms whose artists can play one or more of several roles. There’s instruction-following, which is how many folders begin their journey, following the instructions in a diagram or video to a tee and recreating the designer’s exact intentions. There is also the role of designer. Finally, there is interpretation, where a lot of experienced folders land, interpreting a designer’s model, adding shaping and modifications to make it their own. The same can be said of music, where composers’ works are both recreated and interpreted to make an infinite array of pieces. All of my music pieces are folded from diagrams made by other designers, and my other pieces are my own design.
Models:
Organist
40x160cm homemade double tissue
Robert Lang
Baby Grand
24x24cm Biogami
Patricia Crawford
Violinist
24x24cm Satogami
Peter Stein
Violin
12x24cm homemade double tissue + epoxy resin
Hagiwara Gen
Bass
10x30cm Shadow Fold
Original design by Eric Joisel; replicated/instructed by Alexander Kurth
Tiny Crane
.3x.3cm Shadow Fold
it’s a crane.
Assorted Faces
24x24cm Elephant Hide/Wood Texture, a little bit of acrylic paint
My own designs, inspired by the style of Eric Joisel’s masks
Ship on Waves
30x30cm Tissue Foil
My own design