Highlights from the Origami Workshop to celebrate the World Origami Day

Art Hours celebrated the World Origami Day that falls on the 11th November by conducting an Origami Workshop, by inviting Parents and children, beginners and seasoned origami folders; Art Hours had invited parents also to participate with their child, so that not only are they involved in spending some quality time with their kids but also they learn and explore more about Origami and its applications.

The response was not overwhelmingly high since it happens that many around us are not aware of what Origami is or the implications of practicing Origami. Many do not know that Origami is more than just folding a paper; it has its applications and implications in mathematics enabling one to understand geometry, fractions, proportions, symmetry, visualize 3D geometry and more. It is more than just an Art form. Origami creations have been floating all around the world but very few people probably appreciate and practice this art form. 

Origami models on display for the Origami Workshop

We began the session with a quick round of quiz on Origami wherein the participants could choose their own questions; it was a fun activity for all the participants but the aim was to create an awareness regarding what is origami, its forms, its invention and more...

Quiz round during the Origami Workshop

We had two groups for the workshop; one for the beginners and another one for the origami enthusiastic students who had folded many models before. 

The beginners began with an easy model of the heart that they could use as a bookmark too. This was followed by a fun activity, folding the pinwheel, and pinning it onto a wooden stick that they themselves had to scoot and search for. Since the workshop was taking place outdoors, it was not a tough task for them, instead, it was fun as they ran around the garden area searching for a wooden stick/stem to fix their pinwheels on.

The main origami model for the day was to make a basket filled with some origami flowers. It was a tough model to start with for all the beginners but they were all filled with energy and patience and they didn't give up till the end. One of the virtues, that Origami teaches us all is Patience and to never give up.

Origami Heart bookmark, Pinwheel and a Basket of flowers

At the same time, the Origami enthusiastic students were folding some tetrahedrons, cubes, and octahedrons; a challenge they all gracefully accepted and successfully completed.

Modular Origami: Folding Origami Cubes and Octahedron

One misconception people have about Origami, and I say this because I gathered this experience from my previous workshop experiences; many think that Origami is an art form done or practiced by females only or by kids only. Hence, during this workshop also, I found that the Fathers of the kids were happy to watch their kids participate from a distance and none would participate with the kids, thinking that it was a childish activity or rather it was too kiddish. How I wished they would've participated with their kids leaving all their inhibitions and doubts!

The Origami Workshop ended with every participant enjoying the process of folding some beautiful models that they could carry with them to their homes. Art Hours thanked all the participants and presented some handmade bookmarks as souvenirs.

Thankyou Bookmarks by Art Hours

All in all, it was a workshop filled with energy, enthusiasm, and patience and lots of fun as well. Looking forward, to conduct more such workshops and hoping for more fun times ahead.

It was a small effort from my side to reach out to people and encourage them to learn Origami. I hope more people learn and explore Origami and understand its benefits.

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