Tel Aviv Museum

[saadya2]

Tel Aviv Museum

The Tel Aviv Museum (where I was invited to open some sort of ‘artist’s file’) has asked me to recommend origami books for their arts library. I referred them to people here who know much more about this than me, but also promised I’d get back to them. --So the question stands: If you had to recommend ONE book that would showcase origami as an art, what book would it be? And if you could recommend FIVE books, which you choose, and why ? Anyone who has a book collection or a strong opinion about this—could you let me know ?

 

[bshuval]

My opinion

I will give you my opinion, but note that it is my opinion only. I have limited myself for books in print, and books that would fit the general public (i.e. this is not MY list of "desert island" books) First, for one book: There are three options for one book to buy. It depends on what kind of book you are looking for. If it is just a book that showcases origami as an art, and doesn't provide folding instructions, I recommend either Michael LaFosse's ORIGAMIDO, or the ORIGAMI MASTERWORKS book produced by the Mingei museum for their exhibition. Both books contain marvellous photographs of contemporary origami works, and show just what is possible with origami. These are coffee-table books, with full color pictures. ORIGAMIDO has a bit more text on each image whereas ORIGAMI MASTERWORKS lets the works speak for themselves. Both are beautifully produced, and I would even consider both. ORIGAMIDO can be bought at www.origamido.com, and ORIGAMI MASTERWORKS can be bought directly from the Mingei museum. If, however, a book of instructions is called for, I would recommend Nick Robinson latest "THE ENCYCOLPEDIA OF ORIGAMI" (available from Amazon.com). This is a beautiful book, containing a good selection of models, and also a nice gallery of origami works. Nick Robinson also has a book called "THE ORIGAMI BIBLE", which is of similar quality, but contains mostly the work of Nick himself. This is also a good book, but the first one is recommended because it showcases a wider range of origami designers. Now for five books: (1) Either ORIGAMIDO or ORIGAMI MASTERWORKS (2) THE ENCYCOLPEDIA OF ORIGAMI by Nick Robinson (3) Eric Kenneway's "COMPLETE ORIGAMI". This is a "dictionary" of origami. This book contains many entries that are origami related, and explains them in detail. The book also contains folding instructions for several models. This is one of the best books ever written about origami, and makes for a very interesting read. (4) A book for beginners. I am not really the one to choose a book for beginners. My first books may not be very helpful for a new beginner. Therefore, I hope someone else will step here and recommend a book for beginners. (5) A book of advanced origami. I recommend Kasahara's "ORIGAMI FOR THE CONNOISSEUR". This books contains a fabulous selection of advanced origami works from creators worldwide. It includes instructions for both geometrical works and also for regular subjects. It features a wode range of creators. The instructions are clear, but not for beginners. There are other books of advanced origami out there, some more popular, but I still think this one is the best in terms of balance of work level, creators chosen, presentation of material. I hope this helps!​

 

[jackson]

...and from me

Hi Saadya, I hope I've pressed all the correct buttons to add this to your thread... I agree with Boaz that the ORIGAMI MASTERWORKS book is the one to recommend if you want to recommend just one book to promote origami as a sculptural art. Frankly, after that, I'm struggling. All the other books I can think of -- however good -- don't really show origami as an art -- they show it more as a modelmaking activity. You could maybe recommend a Yoshizawa book, but I know how his sometimes cute Disneyesque animals are not always to the taste of the Fine Art curatorial mafia. One left-field thought is ON PAPER -- NEW PAPER ART, by Jane Thomas and Paul Jackson, Merrill Publishers, 2001, ISBN 1-85894-145-8, which is a catalogue of a major exhibition in London of art made by manipulating paper. One section is about origami, and contains photos of work from half a dozen or so creators. Other sections of the book relate to other ways of manipulating paper, such as shredding, papier mache and pulping. One interesting aspect of the book is that it contains several lengthy essays about paper arts and origami. This book would perhaps be interesting for the Museum, because it presents origami in a wider context. Congratulations on being accepted on the artists file. Paul

 

[saadya2]

thanks, boaz & Paul

.I've forwarded your recommendations to the Museum