Special Announcement
Due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) we are closed... or are we? See more info here.Origami Page;
The Flapping Bat!
Mary Ellen Palmeri
Introducing a new feature, a monthly "Origami Page". Origami is folding paper and ending up with delightful figures and models, such as flowers, boxes and animals. This feature will showcase a different origami model in each monthly issue, with diagrams and photos to help readers learn how to fold them. Most models use one square of paper, some use a rectangle, and others use more than one piece of paper.
The choice for this month's origami design is an interactive model - the Flapping Bat! It is patterned after a model by one of my mentors, a pioneer in spreading origami in the U.S.: Florence Temko (1921-2009). She was a prolific origami creator and wrote several books teaching traditional origami as well as her own designs. I enjoyed meeting and folding with Florence in 1977 when she lived in San Diego, CA. Interestingly, she didn't begin to explore paper folding until she was a young mother looking for activities to do with her children. It is never too late to learn something new, especially when it's fun!
Origami originated in ancient Asian cultures and has been adapted by contemporary artists worldwide to reflect their own cultures. Local artist Mary Ellen Palmeri has incorporated paper folding into many of her mixed media art paintings, and teaches origami classes locally and nationally. Some of her work can be seen in a Tucson Happenings feature here: Artist_Profile
Ms. Palmeri's original origami models have been published in books and magazines, she has been featured on broadcast media, and her mixed-media fine art works often include various original origami models. Origami LAFF (Lyric Arts Folding Fest) is a Tucson based club founded by Ms. Palmeri to provide a venue for sharing this art. The group meets monthly at a local library; for more details please contact the artist at info@lyric-arts.com
