The first time I came across origami, I couldn’t have been older than six or seven. I remember sitting in church (and since I was still a kid, I was probably causing some ruckus) when someone leaned over the pew to hand me a small paper box (probably to shut me up). And just like that, it began. I fell in love. That little six-sided box became the most interesting thing I had ever come across in my short lifespan. Much to my mother’s relief, the paper box kept me quiet through the rest of church.
My little brain was infatuated… How did it work? What was folded where? Did it fit together the opposite way as well? How in the world did they make this thing?! Could I make it? Could I make it into something else? My mind was blown with the possibilities that one piece of paper now held.
Almost 20 years later and my love for origami is still there. I am perhaps not quite as obsessed as I once was, but I still continue to find simple joy and pleasure in learning new folds and creating new things.
As I look around me, I see similar people with this fabulous crush on origami. So what makes origami the tall, dark, and handsome character of the crafty world? Here are three reasons why I’m in love…
Useful- Origami in and of itself has utility. I remember sitting on the floor in one of my Japanese friend’s apartments and she was showing us how she makes all her garbage cans out of old newspapers. She basically folds herself a trash can anytime she needs one, then crumbles it up easily to throw them away. This is origami being used in daily life.
The other example of origamis utility is its ability to be a simple toy for a child. I remember reading somewhere that it was for that very purpose that origami first came about. Parents couldn’t buy fancy toys for their children so they would fold a simpler commodity such as paper into little creatures for their children to play with.
Beautiful- In my opinion, origami strikes near the core of what is simple and beautiful. The kinetic and visual feel of a fold or series of folds in a simple piece of paper emphasize the essence of that paper and inspire something within us to find our essence. The geometric shapes of origami also easily appeal to our mathematical selves and help our minds to refresh.
Complex- Origami is full of conundrums. It is useful, yet short lived, plain, yet beautiful, and simple, yet indescribably complex. These opposites create intrigue and a desire to explore more fully the folds of origami. It is the complexity of such a simple thing that ignites my pride bonfire and keeps me trying again and again to learn a particular fold. It is so simple looking! Of course I can do that! Why can’t I do that!? (100 sheets of paper later…) Yah! Owned it! (Holding up origami flower triumphantly!) In some ways, its complexity is addicting. It always keeps me coming back for more, or trying something new.
So those are my three reasons on why I think I am obsessed with origami the most. What are yours?
