Fold and sip: springtime origami and Japanese tea
Organised by the School of Art History's EDI Committee, with support from @79 Makerspace funding, this social event promotes diversity, inclusion and creativity, fostering cultural exchange through relaxing activities during Revision Week.
Join us in welcoming spring and the blooming of cherry blossoms in and beyond St Andrews with Japanese tea, snacks and origami, the traditional Japanese art of paper folding. Once reserved for elite classes in Japan for religious rituals and formal ceremonies, origami became more widely practised during the Edo period, from 1603 to 1868, and has since gained global recognition.
Risa Pelot, Administrative Assistant in the School of Chemistry and originally from Japan, will introduce origami and its cultural significance in contemporary society. She will also discuss its role in celebrations such as Hinamatsuri, Girls' Day or the Dolls' Festival, held on 3 March, when hina dolls are displayed. Drawing on her experience of learning and teaching origami in Japan and abroad, she will offer insights into both tradition and practice.
Participants will be provided with a variety of origami papers and instruction sheets to create kimono figures, balls, boats, plants, animals and other imaginative designs. The event will also feature a slideshow of kimono paper dolls created by students in the Art History honours module AH3196 Modern Art beyond the West.
We also acknowledge the Japan Society and the Art Society at St Andrews for their support with publicity and event setup.
We would be very grateful if you would complete a short survey for us, about this and our other events and the kind of events you would be interested in attending. If you are happy to take part in the survey, please complete this online form.