Origami - My reason to be | Himanshu Agarwal | TEDxBHIS Kanpur Youth

Key Concepts

• Origami: The Japanese art of paper folding, evolving from a folk art to a complex artistic and engineering discipline.
• Crease Pattern: The unique “blueprint” of folds in origami, representing the design’s DNA and enabling complex models from a single sheet.
• Modular Origami: Constructing 3D forms by assembling multiple identical folded units.
• Geometric Progression: A sequence where each term is multiplied by a constant ratio, often seen in crease patterns and origami design.
• Rotational Symmetry: A form of symmetry where an object looks the same after being rotated by a certain angle.
• Incremental Improvement: The process of making small, continuous improvements to a design or skill over time.

The Evolution of Origami: From Paper Planes to Practical Applications

The speaker begins by questioning the relevance of a simple piece of paper in a world moving towards digitalization and quantum computing. However, he argues that its relevance depends on its application, illustrating this with his own lifelong journey with origami. He emphasizes that while technology advances, the fundamental art of paper folding remains potent and surprisingly versatile.

Early Spark & The Revival of Origami

The speaker’s fascination began in childhood with simple paper airplanes, a common experience shared by many. This initial spark was fueled by a book on paper airplane designs, revealing the potential for complexity beyond a single fold. He then introduces origami (折紙), explaining its etymology from the Japanese words ori (to fold) and kami (paper). Originally a Japanese folk art passed down through generations, origami was on the verge of extinction by the 1950s.

This decline was reversed by Akira Yoshizawa (吉澤 章), a pivotal figure who revolutionized the art form. Yoshizawa imbued origami with a sculptural quality, making the figures appear more organic and lifelike, particularly evident in his depiction of a monkey’s face. Crucially, he developed a standardized notation system – analogous to musical notation – allowing origami designs to be documented and shared, ensuring their preservation and facilitating further development. Before Yoshizawa, approximately 100-150 origami designs were known; his work spurred an explosion of creativity, resulting in tens of thousands of designs today.

From Traditional Forms to Modern Complexity

The speaker traces the evolution of origami from simple cuts and multi-sheet representations to the current focus on single-sheet, realistic models. He contrasts traditional models like a simple swan or a jumping frog – functional but lacking in representational accuracy – with modern interpretations that achieve remarkable detail and three-dimensionality. The jumping frog, a childhood staple, is presented as an example of functionality over artistic representation, while contemporary origami strives for both.

A key concept discussed is the crease pattern – the unique set of creases left on a sheet of paper after folding. He describes it as the “blueprint,” “fingerprint,” or “DNA” of an origami design, unique to each model. Advanced origami artists can interpret a crease pattern and recreate the model without prior knowledge. He showcases the work of Brian Chan from MIT, highlighting the intricate crease patterns behind complex figures, often anime characters, demonstrating the geometric principles – including geometric progression and rotational symmetry – employed in their creation. Chan’s work also demonstrates the ability to achieve color changes within a single sheet through clever folding.

Origami Beyond Art: Real-World Applications

The speaker emphasizes that origami’s influence extends far beyond the realm of art. He details numerous practical applications, demonstrating how principles derived from origami are being utilized in diverse fields:

• Fashion: Designers like Issey Miyake have incorporated origami techniques into clothing and accessories.
• Aerospace: NASA utilizes origami-inspired folding mechanisms for deployable solar panels on spacecraft. The ability to compactly fold a large surface area and then deploy it in space is crucial for missions requiring large collecting areas. Specifically, a star-shaped solar shield is used to block glare and enable planetary photography.
• Medicine: Origami principles are used in the design of medical stents – small, expandable tubes inserted into blocked arteries. These stents are delivered in a collapsed form and then expand to restore blood flow.
• Packaging: Origami-inspired folding techniques are employed in innovative packaging designs.
• Defense: Origami is being explored for applications in drone design.

The Speaker’s Personal Journey & Philosophy

The speaker shares his 37-year journey with origami, beginning with a childhood fascination and culminating in record-breaking large-scale installations. He recounts creating a 35-foot-tall, 105-foot-long elephant from a 95ft x 95ft sheet of paper in Chennai, India. He stresses the importance of continuous learning and incremental improvement in his work. He describes his experiences folding in museums, adapting to different environments and constraints.

He emphasizes the power of origami to connect with people, sharing anecdotes of bringing joy to children in remote regions of India. He highlights the universal appeal of the art form, noting that a simple demonstration of a flapping bird can elicit a genuine smile.

Core Principles & Concluding Thoughts

The speaker concludes by offering advice to students, emphasizing three key principles:

1. Practice: Consistent, daily practice is essential for developing any skill.
2. Patience: Mastery takes time and effort; immediate success is unlikely.
3. Perseverance: Maintain dedication and overcome challenges.

He also stresses the importance of recognizing the potential of human ingenuity and not allowing technology to overshadow human capabilities. He playfully references the “10,000-hour rule” for achieving expertise, suggesting that the focus should be on pursuing one’s passion rather than obsessing over time spent. He ends by returning to his own love of simple paper airplanes, demonstrating that even after decades of complex origami, the initial spark of joy remains.