While I consider origami as art, maybe the reason why they are aesthetically appealing must be credited to the type of wood from which the papers used came from. So, what, then make a paper art an art? For origami, there is a particular term used to describe how species looks, it is called a GRAIN.
IT RUNS IN THE GRAIN. “Grain” is the primary reason that gives wood its extraordinary features. What determines the grain of wood is how the tree grew prior to its cutting. Any type of tree that has a branch or elbow joint will surely have a substantial change in its grain, running from one direction to another.
There are several pieces of wood that are regarded as linear-grained which means they do not possess extraordinary features. These pieces of wood produce a single pattern that mainly be or monotonous type of shade and color. Some species and types of wood are a lot prone to being linear-grained. Others have an unusual grain. But even though there is no tried and tested formula, there are certain trends. Say for example, walnut possesses a linear or straight-grain pattern. But when it is infused with knots or other pattern, it becomes extraordinary.
Ulin (ironwood) grain.
PERFECTIONS IN IMPERFECT ELEMENTS: Wood that is regarded to as “curly” have characteristics where its grain often curls back and forth. It has an extraordinary appearance when the light hits the surface of the wood. The effect is majestic. The beauty radiates and it is iridescent. When this kind of wood would be hit by a light, there will be angles that would shine. This feature runs all over the piece of wood. Curly Maple is a regular wood that possesses this feature. The wood is mono-tone but the light simply radiates, and bends differently in angles.
Several classes of wood possess a knot in them. This is the point where a branch had been growing and then died. This will create a very dark circle where the dead branch was located. This part of the tree is immensely unstable because of the fact that it changes direction in terms of how the grains would run, but if maintained properly, can simply add beauty and character as a whole. There is also an extraordinary type of knotting in which runs through the grain more commonly known as bird’s eye. A wood with a bird’s eye showcases little knows mixed alongside with the grain which simply looks like a bird’s eye. Bird’s eye Maple is an excellent example of this characteristic.
Old piece of wood reclaim from a boat.
The next installment of this article will go deeper in to the meaning of art embedded in a wood feature. Inevitably, the last part will make you want to dig deeper in to the realm of wood and what is in store for everyone of us.