The art of Origami is believed to have started back in the 17th century and could have even been around before this time. The goal of this art is to transform a flat sheet of paper by creating folds and sculpturing to end with a finished sculpture. The traditional art only consisted of this and did not require any cutting of the strating piece of paper or use any glue. If you have to cut the paper or use glue it is classes as Kirigami.
When most people think of Origami they often think of objects like the popular crane that is made. However I suspect that almost everyone has produced a form of Origami at some point in their life without even realising it. Did you ever make a paper aeroplane or that little folding flap game that you placed you fore fingers and thumbs in where you asked a friend to choose a colour or number to reveal somethign else? Well they are both Origami objects.
In more recent times Origami has started to change. Firstly people would use coloured paper, even with paper having different colours on each side can make a big difference. The image below shows a penguin I made with black / white paper, easily produced on the computer.
The next step was to start using pre-printed paper. This allows the final sculpture to be more colourful and make the final sculpture look more recognisable. Below are a couple I made of an Owl and Dragon Fly.
In more recent times Origami has really been brought to life in a true 3D format. This involves more work than just folding a single sheet of paper. These are made up of lots of small pieces of paper that you fold into little pieces, all of these then link together to make the 3D model. Below You will see some of the things that we have made with these pieces.
The Challenge!
We originally wanted to create the challenge as part of the cache. However we found out that a challenge cache has to consist of a challenge related to Geocaching and therefore we couldn't create it that way. So everyone has the chance to go and find this cache and log it in the normal way.
For those who are interested in something a little more challenging then read on. The challenge is that you will have to make an Origami sculpture. Now it's not going to be as easy as just making a paper aeroplane, after all where would be the fun in that for a challenge.
The task is simple, you will need to
1. Make a true 3D model like the pictures above which is made up of lots of individual pieces.
2. The model must consist of at least 250 pieces.
3. Visit the cache and take your 3D model with you.
4. Take a photo of your model at the cache and upload it with your log. You do not need to leave your model.
5. Contact me via this website and let me know that you have completed the challenge.
6. The FTF Origami Keyring will go to the first person to complete the challenge. I will reply to your contact to advise on this when you contact me.
I often place a FTF Keyring in some of my caches. However this time as we couldn't create the cache the way wanted we've decided that there will be no FTF Keyring for just being the FTF to the cache. The first person to complete the challenge as listed above can have the FTF Origami Keyring. I will reply to their contact to advise that they are entitled to the keyring if they would like to send me a postal address or meet up if possible to pass on the little prize. I may well produce further keyrings for others who complete the challenge, so watch the space above and read the logs to see if any are available.
Perhaphs you will also make a small model like my fish or lemon to leave for someone else to see, swap or take!
To help I've listed some links below to help you make the pieces and show some of the many models that are on the web as tutorials.
How to make 3D Origami Pieces
Youtube Origami 3D Videos
Tips!
I've found that when cutting the pieces of paper (32 per A4 sheet) that if you keep them very similar in size makes the final pieces much better and easier to work with.
I've only used normal photocopier paper for all my models so no need to rush out and buy expensive paper.
Where you see coloured paper has been used in my images these are the same paper but just printed on an inkjet printer. Just beware that when you use a deep bold colour like black it will drench the paper with ink. You can use a pattern or light colour and even print on both sides meaning that you do not get white edges showing like I have in the Owl and Penguin. The fish and lemon are both made on double sided printed paper which gives a much better finish.
You will find that cutting especially with a guillotine may take some time to get them all the same size. When you get used to folding the pieces you can easily do these whilst watching TV and they can take as little as 15 seconds to fold each one.
After you make each one slot it into a line of the others as shown in the video. This gives them a final shape that makes them ready to use.
At the time of placing the cache.
An Origami box. Sorry the FTF keyring is no longer in it as it is being used for the challenge and is an optional challenge if you would like to do it.
Various pre-printed sheets to make either the Owl, Dragon Fly or a Tulip and Stem. Please take one if you want to have a go or pass on to someone. They have an online link to find the instructions.
Origami Travel Bug to travel the globe and spread the word.
An Origami 3D Fish and Lime (as pictured above).
Please feel free to take or swap something that is in the cache!
Everything in the cache is stored in plastic bags to help keep them dry, if you plan on dropping off anything then please bring it in something to help keep it dry.
Note: When visiting the cache please make sure that you keep everything in the dry, after all it's full of paper.
I would lastly like to thank the reviewers for their assistance by pointing out that we couldn't do what we asked for to start with but were very helpful in still allowing us to get this out there for everyone to enjoy.
The cache is placed down a fairly quiet country lane. You should be able to stop with a car safely off the road very close to the cache. It may also be suitable for wheelchair access along here but the cache is a little off the road on a fairly flat grass verge so retrieving the cache in a wheelchair could take a little work.
Update 22 July 2014
So far no one has completed the additional challenge. Since placing the cache below is the next 3D Origami created which took over 1000 pieces to be folded over 4 evenings.
