Edited by Jane Rosemarin
Participants show their completed Omuta Roses designed by Fumiaki Shingu and taught by Yossi Nir of Israel.

At a time when so much of our social life has been closed to us, origami has blossomed. A few months ago, I posted to OrigamiUSA’s (private) Facebook group about my experience and delight with the virtual origami community. I was amazed at the response that my little post generated and gratified that so many of you feel as I do.

I love to fold, I love to meet new people, and in the past, I attended as many conventions and local meetings as my work schedule would allow. Some friends and I even started a folding group at our local library. When the pandemic hit, everything stopped. But within a short time, folders and organizers realized that Zoom could bring us together. Suddenly, time and distance weren’t a barrier.

One of my favorite virtual gatherings is United to Fold, or UnFold, hosted by Gerardo Gacharná of Colombia. Gerardo’s main interest is creating community, and he does a wonderful job each month. Meetings are on Saturday mornings and feature different participants teaching simple or intermediate models. For example, at the October meeting, Shachi Jain taught her beautiful model of folded hands entitled Namaste.

Trihedron Cubic Box, taught and created by Gerardo, himself. Folded by Jean Rishel.

Gerardo sometimes teaches as well. He incorporates an interesting method to engage everyone: After teaching the steps for the first unit of a modular, he will ask for volunteers to teach one step each as we create additional modules. This gets more folders involved in the process as well as aiding memory for the folding steps.

After we fold a few projects together, the final feature of the meeting is spending 30 minutes in breakout rooms, getting to unmute and share what we’ve been folding with new friends from around the world. Last Saturday, I met folders from across the U.S. and from Israel, India and South Africa. Emails and ideas were exchanged as Gerardo moved from room to room, enjoying the conversations. Clearly, this is his favorite part and his reason for hosting each month — bringing people together to talk about a shared passion.

If you haven’t discovered UnFold yet, check out OrigamiUSA’s calendar page for dates and information. There you can also find listings for Foldeas, Gerardo’s other group, where invited guests such as Leyla Torres and Louise Mabbs share insights into their creative processes. Make some new friends, learn some new models and enjoy this wonderful connection to the global community.

An Omuta Rose, folded by Jean Rishel.

Comments

February 21, 2021 - 4:53pm Prple

Was able to attend my first unfold and it was fabulous! I learned two new models… loved seeing how different instructors teach things… was great fun and look forward to interacting on more when I can!!!!

February 21, 2021 - 6:51pm original_origami

This sounds like a good opportunity to meet new folders!

February 22, 2021 - 8:49am lisa.dunlap

Gerardo's UnFold meetings have a wonderful community feel, where folders from all over the world can develop friendships. Please check it out!

February 23, 2021 - 9:24am Shan

This is a wonderful group led by an amazing man and it has made all the difference to me. I joined during lockdown when I was really living an isolated life alone out of town and seeing no one. This group has made me very enthusiastic about Origami whilst at the same time being a wonderful source of human company. Now that lockdown is not so severe, my Saturdays when there is a group are reserved for this - if you come to visit, you must join in with the Origami!

February 26, 2021 - 1:12pm Origami1

I really enjoy United to Ford (UnFold), hosted by the gregarious Gerardo Gacharná. Want to take your folding to the next level and do it with others? UnFold is the virtual place to do just that. I like the format of the meeting where we learn a new model and then practice it, helping each other, in a breakout group. Making new friends and connecting with others from all over the world really makes these sessions wonderful fun.

March 8, 2021 - 11:57pm Shachi_origami

UnFold get together is a dream destination for all folders and very well hosted by Gerardo G. He gave me an opportunity to teach my own model in his meeting. It was such a wonderful experience sharing an Indian model with so many encouraging folders from across the globe. I love break out rooms during these sessions where we can socialise with others. Thanks to Jean and Jane for mentioning my name here.

January 10, 2022 - 3:39am govindkulkarni

The online ( ZOOM Platform) community created by Gerardo has not only brought folders from all over the world together;
it has brought out the teacher in shy folders too. It is a great place to meet great folders.