Michael LaFosse & Richard Alexander – ORIGAMIDO STUDIO

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Michael LaFosse and Richard Alexander or Origamido Studio are our guests for May 2023 “Interview with an Expert” in Origamigos.

Michael LaFosse has been an origami artist for decades and is considered a leading authority and master of the art of paper folding.

An avid teacher, LaFosse co-founded the Origamido Studio, a learning center and design studio dedicated to the art of origami, and one of the only places in the world specializing in hand papermaking for the origami artist.

Michael LaFosse has taught origami in schools since 1972, and continues to work with teachers, artists, designers, and performers who incorporate origami into their professional activities.

A biologist by training, Michael’s best-known works are realistic origami animals and plants, folded from special, archival papers developed and produced at the Origamido Studio.

Origamido also produces folded art, jewelry, and commercial designs for a variety of international clients. Michael’s co-curated “Origami Now!”, a wildly popular, year-long exhibition at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts. Vanessa Gould prominently featured him in a Peabody Award-winning film, Between the Folds.

Origami models created by Michael LaFosse: Origami rabbit, origami bat, origami skunk, origami seahorse, origami fish, origami butterfly.

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Richard Alexander co-founded the Origamido Studio with Michael LaFosse in 1996. He has been the chief papermaker, holding workshops since 2003, and is a frequent collaborator with other famous paper artists.

Richard holds a degree from Cornell University in biology (systems ecology), where he also studied landscape architecture and design. He has consulted with apparel, container, toy, and consumer product designers to incorporate folding theory into familiar daily-use objects.

After leaving a career in environmental biology, Richard worked with Michael to advance the art of origami by making custom handmade papers with other origami artists. He began videotaping Michael LaFosse’s original designs in 1991, and has authored / co-authored over 50 publications including printed pamphlet kits, hardcover books, and video origami and papermaking instructions.

Together, Alexander and LaFosse have created dozens of origami exhibitions, and over 70 books, kits, and videos about paper and paper arts.

Dancing with the Paper
The process of folding and then turning the paper to reposition it for comfort before the next fold is akin to a dance, and even more so when the paper is large and the maneuvers are performed in the air, rather than against a table surface. The fluidity of motion, and the changing relationships between the paper, the person, and the planet are enjoyable for the folder, and entertaining for spectators.
~From The Essential Book of Origami by Michael Lafosseand Richard Alexander

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Here is the link for Origamido Youtube Channel

Michael LaFosse and Richard Alexander or Origamido Studio are our guests for May 2023 “Interview with an Expert” in Origamigos.

Books by Michael LaFosse and Richard Alexander

  • Here is a link to a review of the book ORIGAMI BUTTERFLIES (Origami Spirit).
  • For a full list of books published by Michael LaFosse and Richard Alexander, visit the Orgamido website.

Video Tutorials by Michael LaFosse and Richard Alexander

Origami Video Tutorial – Tree and a Forest

Origami - Eternal flame container - Square Form - Design of Leyla Torres

A model design of Leyla Torres Do you like to fold origami flowers? What about trees? In that case, you’re in luck! Here at Origami Spirit, we feature origami models we know you’ll enjoy so be sure to visit the ORIGAMI FLOWERS GALLERY. This 3-dimensional origami tree is inspired by design possibilities found in the … Read more

PROMPTS: 30 ideas to fold and share – May 2023

Origami Promts 31 Things to Share in April 2023

Please join us any time during May 2023 as we explore this month’s folding themes. This OrigamiSpirit challenge is open to anyone who wants to participate. Here is how to play along: Pansy Peacock Balance German Love Memories Baby Asymmetrical Utensil Travel Parrot Pouch Magic Favorite Miniature Triangle Bee Peace Wedding Round Playful Smile Secret … Read more

Yuko Taniguchi – Creative Activities for Healing

On Thursday, April 27, 2023, Origami Spirit Membership hosted an interview with Yuko Taniguchi, assistant professor of Medicine and Arts, at the Center for Learning Innovation, University of Minnesota, Rochester. A poet and novelist, Yuko regularly collaborates with artists and healthcare professionals to explore how creative activities lead to self-discovery and healing. Between 2018 and … Read more

Origami Book of Love (Two-Rectangle Version)

Do you enjoy origami hearts? What would you write on the pages of this origami Book of Love? A poem? A sketch of some flowers? A reason why you love books? Whatever you might leave on those pages, we can celebrate World Book Day with this easy-to-make origami book. Free Tutorial below. World Book and … Read more