Trip to Blackpool Zoo

The sun did not shine much but at least the rain held off during our trip to Blackpool Zoo. As well as a pleasant day out the main aim was to take reference photographs for future artwork.  Stephen has created an album of photographs that anyone can freely download and use. They are high resolution (most A2 size) and can be zoomed in with very little degradation. See Stephen on a meeting night if you wish to contribute any photographs you took on the day to this album for others to use. [CLICK HERE] to view the Blackpool Zoo album.

Three Dimensional Art Workshop

In tonight's meeting member Stephen Watson presented a hands on workshop introducing three dimensional geometric art. Everyone in the group took part and produced a cube made from six identical folded paper units. This unit, called a Sonobe Unit, devised in the late 1960's by the well known origami artist Mitsunobu Sonobe, can be interlocked to form many geometric structures.

The Sonobe Unit made from a 15cm square of paper

The folding of the units was completed in time for the tea break and after some cake and a cuppa it was time to assemble the cube -as seen on the right in the image- amid much lighthearted laughter.

Hexahedra, Cube, Octohedra and Icosahedra built from the Sonobe Unit

Many members expressed a desire to build something more complex but time on the night was against us, however Stephen suggested that those that wished to explore this medium further could construct an Icosohedra  (centre back in above image) from thirty ready made units next week. This suggestion was well received. It would also give those member who were unable to attend the workshop an opportunity to have a go at three dimensional art. 

Some of Stephen's work on display on the evening. Click/Tap for a larger view.

Is Origami and art or a craft?

This question has been asked many times and, in my opinion, it is both and neither. 95% of origami has written or visual instructions and so is repeatable. If it can be authentically replicated then it can be considered a craft as anyone with the right skill set can create the same item. However, a small percentage of Origami can be so complex that it transcends the ability to be illustrated or documented. At this level the artist introduces a manipulation of paper on spec, creatively, artistically, involving many hundreds of folds, curves and creases to the point that it becomes unrepeatable, even by the original artist! As long as the Origami rules of no cutting or tearing are observed, the model has become an artistic interpretation. And while something approximating it can be produced, it is not the same as the original, just as a Rembrant painted by Sharon from Facebook is not a Rembrant.

Repeatable Origami models and structures can also be employed in mixed media pieces and so be considered art. 

 A work by Stephen Waston from 2015 entitled Organic Carbon 60. Size: 24" x 18"

The above piece consists of nine sections of truncated Icosahedra models made from PET plastic sheet embedded in a medium of plaster, grit and acrylic paint.