2007 Spanish Convention
Miri and I (and Jonathan) have just returned from the 25th Anniversary Convention of the Asociacion Espaniola de Papiroflexia, held in the town of el Escorial, just outside Madrid. The town is where Spanish kings have been buried for many centuries and has a special importance for Spanish people. We were privileged to be the special guests, along with Yuri and Katrina Shumakov (now relocated in Canada) and Fritz Junior Jacquet. The Shumakovs had an exhibition of one of their vast 'Oriland' landscapes in the town, plus an exhibition of 15 of their 'Oribana' flower arrangements. I confess to feeling very ambivalent about their work -- it is spectacular, huge, awesome, ambitious and endlessly creative ...but for me, too sweet, too candy-coloured and perhaps, ultimately, kitsch. In the same building, the AEP celebrated their anniversary with a very impressive and diverse exhibition of origami by members. Origami -- or 'papiroflexia' -- has a surprisingly long and interesting history in Spain, where complex Bird Base models were being created and documented more than 100 years ago. The 'Parajita' model ('Little Sparrow' in English) is known to almost every Spaniard and dates back at least 300 years. At the convention, there was a real feeling of a connection with the history of European paperfolding and of a responsibility to continue and develop a proud and long tradition. Many people at the convention had been going for many years, creating a strong sense of family and common purpose. The convention was held over 3 days and attended by 100+ people. At any time, there were 4 or 5 workshops to choose from, ranging from the very simple to the very complex. Miri gave presentations on the educational work of the Israeli Origami Center and on the Israeli-Palestinian 'Folding Together' project. I gave workshops on my teaching of folding to students of Design and on the so-called 'Jackson Cube' and its variations. Throughout our stay, everyone was very helpful and kind and we were made to feel very welcome. We thank everyone for their generousity and kind hearts. The AEP publishes a magazine -- 'Parajita' -- 4 times a year. We bought every issue (almost 100!) and will make them available at the next IOC meeting for people to see. The magazines contain many excellent models and are worth looking through. I have always said that the best way to enjoy origami is to MEET PEOPLE WHO FOLD, rather than to rely on Amazon or the internet for origami inspiration. Attending this convention -- my first outside Israel for 4 years -- reminded me just how important it is to spend time with other paper folders. Adios! Paul Jackson Miri Golan
Miri and I (and Jonathan) have just returned from the 25th Anniversary Convention of the Asociacion Espaniola de Papiroflexia, held in the town of el Escorial, just outside Madrid. The town is where Spanish kings have been buried for many centuries and has a special importance for Spanish people. We were privileged to be the special guests, along with Yuri and Katrina Shumakov (now relocated in Canada) and Fritz Junior Jacquet. The Shumakovs had an exhibition of one of their vast 'Oriland' landscapes in the town, plus an exhibition of 15 of their 'Oribana' flower arrangements. I confess to feeling very ambivalent about their work -- it is spectacular, huge, awesome, ambitious and endlessly creative ...but for me, too sweet, too candy-coloured and perhaps, ultimately, kitsch. In the same building, the AEP celebrated their anniversary with a very impressive and diverse exhibition of origami by members. Origami -- or 'papiroflexia' -- has a surprisingly long and interesting history in Spain, where complex Bird Base models were being created and documented more than 100 years ago. The 'Parajita' model ('Little Sparrow' in English) is known to almost every Spaniard and dates back at least 300 years. At the convention, there was a real feeling of a connection with the history of European paperfolding and of a responsibility to continue and develop a proud and long tradition. Many people at the convention had been going for many years, creating a strong sense of family and common purpose. The convention was held over 3 days and attended by 100+ people. At any time, there were 4 or 5 workshops to choose from, ranging from the very simple to the very complex. Miri gave presentations on the educational work of the Israeli Origami Center and on the Israeli-Palestinian 'Folding Together' project. I gave workshops on my teaching of folding to students of Design and on the so-called 'Jackson Cube' and its variations. Throughout our stay, everyone was very helpful and kind and we were made to feel very welcome. We thank everyone for their generousity and kind hearts. The AEP publishes a magazine -- 'Parajita' -- 4 times a year. We bought every issue (almost 100!) and will make them available at the next IOC meeting for people to see. The magazines contain many excellent models and are worth looking through. I have always said that the best way to enjoy origami is to MEET PEOPLE WHO FOLD, rather than to rely on Amazon or the internet for origami inspiration. Attending this convention -- my first outside Israel for 4 years -- reminded me just how important it is to spend time with other paper folders. Adios! Paul Jackson Miri Golan
