Origamid: The Art of Paper Folding [Hardcover]

Michael Lafosse (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2000

Translated from Japanese as "the way, through paperfolding," Origamido is a way of life and of design. More than colorful, folded paper cranes and simple, but charming animals and toys, Origamido is spirited creativity through paper folding. This book presents an enchanting collection of the world's Origamido, masterworks of origami by some of the finest designers and paper folders living today.

--Includes dazzling origami art from 40 international artists --Traces the development of these fascinating designs through fold-out diagrams and drawings

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Don't dismiss the Japanese art of paper folding as a "kids only" craft. Artist LaFosse reveals through his own works and those of 39 other artists throughout the world that the way of origami (hence, "origamido") is a fully formed art for adults, too. More than 60 designs are showcased in full color and accompanied by particulars about size, techniques, and description. Four themes predominate: animal, vegetable, or mineral (a stegosaurus); play (a Slinkylike spring into action); form and function (tetrahedron); and masks and figures (St. George and the dragon). An attitude-changing introduction to the world of paper. Barbara Jacobs
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Michael LaFosse is recognized as one of today's leading origami artists and teachers. An internationally known origami master, his work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world. LaFosse has authored several books and produced several videotapes devoted to paper folding, paper making, and paper sculpturing techniques. He uses the term Origamido to embody the process, or way, of achieving the essence of artistic expression found in enduring works of folded paper.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Rockport Publishers (April 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1564966399
• ISBN-13: 978-1564966391
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #976,593 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Origami Showcase, October 28, 2000

By 

"lhs1701" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Origamid: The Art of Paper Folding (Hardcover)

When I first bought this book, my first thought was it was way too expensive but after going through the book, the only word that could describe it adequately was "WOW!".

It was certainly worth the money. I like it so much that I ordered another 2 more books.

Why? The photos are breath taking. Now it makes it very easy for me to answer what can you fold in origami. It makes it very easy for me to show that origami is not 'kid's stuff' but a serious art form. My additional copies will be brought to future origami exhibitions to show to visitors. I cannot bring the first one as it was signed by the author himself.

The depth and scope covered by the book shows the depth and scope of origami. Do not expect to learn origami through folding from the book. Expect to be brought spellbound into the beautiful world of origami.

It is definitely a collector's item.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Please publish vol.2 and vol.3,...., June 11, 2000

By 

Sen Peng Eu "ESP=Math+Music+Literature" (Kaohsiung, Taiwan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Origamid: The Art of Paper Folding (Hardcover)

This is a dream book for origami connoisseurs. It is not a textbook(it contains very few diagrams), but a neat gallery. It contains lots of pictures of masterpieces around the world. We can easily gasp by the greatness and splendor of the recent devolopement of "origami science". The author, Lafosse ,is himself a famous folder, therefore his selection of models is on a very high standard. This is a must for people who love origami, and anyone who doubts the possibility of origami will be shocked by most of the pictures here. My only complaint is that it should have more pages! So many masterpieces are excluded, for example, Issei's salmon, Maekawa's Devil, Kirshenbaum's fluffy...etc. I hope the author can publish vol.2 soon.....

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome, Beautiful, Fantasic origami art coffee table book, April 30, 2001

By 

Angel Lee "Liocorno Amethyst Moonstone" (Cleveland, OH United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Origamid: The Art of Paper Folding (Hardcover)

This is a must-have coffee table book for origami enthusiasts. The origami models are very impressive and inspirational. As someone just starting out with origami I am amazed by the awesome and complex forms that can be folded. I loved gazing at the Arizona hummingbirds, mushroom collection and pangolin (anteater). The variety of origami art from roses to rock crystal to a three-headed dragon and a chessboard with pieces is fabulous. Vincent Floderer's display case of life-like mushrooms is phenomenal.

Though this book is mostly a gallery of origami art there a few projects. Advanced students will enjoy challenging items such a bucky ball, paper airplane and mask. Beginning and Intermediate students should try the paper fastening flower and talking lips toy.

Information including the artist, size, paper used and some commentary accompanies each origami masterpiece. A resource guide, international organization list and artist directory is also included in the back. It's really nice that in many cases they tell you where you can find instructions (which book) for making the model. This book makes a great gift for any origami connoisseur.