Photo Essay: Folding Origami With the Blind

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to teach origami to someone who can't see? I hadn't, until I met my friend Monica at the Salta public library for a lesson.

At the far end of the Salta library -- corner of Belgrano and Sarmiento, across the street from the Salta branch Museo de Bellas Artes -- you'll find a spacious room specially for the blind. That is cienaga in Spanish or the more appropriate term novidente.

Wind chimes tied to the door jingle as you walk in. Maria Elena, the woman who organizes the place, pops out from a back room when she hears me enter. It is a well lit and quiet room with three tables where people study, read and in our case learn to fold origami cranes.

 
 

That's Monica on the left and Maria Elena on the right. Maria Elena immediately asks to join when she learns what we're doing.

Monica taught me to make cranes by showing me step by step. First she'd make the fold while I watched, then I'd copy. I couldn't imagine how she'd teach Maria Elena without the ability to visually show the steps.

It was actually very simple. Monica showed her the first fold and Maria Elena placed her hands on Monica's. Then Maria Elena made the same fold herself with Monica guiding.

It took the same amount of time for Maria Elena to learn the crane folding steps as me. And it didn't take long for me to realize that seeing has many different meaning. It is not different for me to see with my hands as for Maria Elena to see with her eyes. They two are simply different expressions of perception, akin to different dialects of a language.

Another thing I noticed. Each of our cranes had their own personalities. Mine had a longer beak and larger body. Monica's had a longer tail and delicate beak, while the wings of Maria Elena's birds looked as if about to take flight.

Comments

[Rachel@rachelweber.com]

This is a beautiful post, Leigh. And I feel inspired to play with the gorgeous origami paper Matt got me.

[Leigh Shulman]

Thanks, Rachel.

Great indoor activity for all the snow, too. I actually find it very relaxing.

Ever since Monica taught me the crane, I've been trying to learn more online too. That link to http://lisashea.com has some good instructional video and I hope to try more out soon.

Can't wait to see what you do with that paper.

[JoAnna]

This is fascinating! I'd never really thought about what it would be like to create art blind.

[Simone]

This is such a lovely, unique slice of life. Reading it made me feel like a lucky fly on the wall.

[Leigh Shulman]

It's funny how things sort of surprise you. I also hadn't thought much about what it would be like to create art without sight.

One thing I soon realized is that not having the physical ability to see forces (maybe allows is better) you to see in other ways.

It was quite and experience, and Maria Elena (and Monica) are amazing people.

[Leigh Shulman]

Thanks, Simone. I felt the same way. I hadn't expected any of this when I walked in the library that morning, and it turned out to be one of my most memorable days in Salta.

[Lola]

Wonderful post and beautiful shots as well!

[Leigh Shulman]

Thank you, Lola. I take that as high praise from such an accomplished photographer as yourself.

The lighting in the room was odd. Very yello, and many of the photos didn't come out well at all. These I finagled a bit to give them more defintion.

[vigilon]

That's very inspiring indeed. It makes me realize more how lucky a lot of people are and don't even appreciate it.