COCon, the Chicago Origami Convention, was in the downstairs of the hotel, where they had a reception area and series of conference rooms, adjoining the lobby via a broad spiral stair. It was a perfect setup. There were a handful of vendors including a friendly woman named Katy who made tiny origami art pieces composed and arranged in little glass bell jars. Being from Chicago, she gave us great advice on places to eat.
There were ten or so artists exhibiting, so I got a whole table. My whole exhibit fit in a shoe box in my carry-on luggage, so that was plenty of space. There were a bunch of my “greatest hits” models, including a turtle, lizard, moose, elephant, dragon, flying saucer and retro rocket. Also the models I taught: the Space Cat, Flying Fish, and Butterfly. Then there were three new geometric models. I displayed versions of these at OUSA NYC in June, but wasn’t satisfied with them so I folded newer improved versions.
First is my Hydrangea Cuboctahedron. This is six hydrangea tessellations arranged on a sheet to then form a single-sheet polyhedron, a cube with sunken corners to resemble a cuboctahedron. I changed the layout of the tessellations so that it would have a symmetrical lock formed from the four corners of the paper. This went together easier and held better than that previous lock. I also added another level to the hydrangea tessellations compared to my previous version. I folded it from a 50cm square of marble wyndstone paper, which looks great and is super strong. The model could be wet folded but that turned out not to be necessary. I may still do it if the lock tends to open up over time.
The other two are Starball Variations I and II. Both of these models are based on a dodecahedron, with extra creases to sink the vertices in such a way as to reveal a star pattern on the faces, again single-sheet polyhedra. I use different geometries so that in one the start recedes inwards and in the other protrudes outward. My first attempts were made from 35cm Tant paper, but that turned out to be at the limit of foldability. I made two larger pentagons from a sheet of 70 x 50 cm marble wyndstone, and that enabled me to fold more accurately, and really understand the precreasing involved in the bottom half of the model where there layers stack up, so in the end they turned out much better.
I taught three classes, two on Saturday and one on Sunday. They were my Flying Fish, Space Cat, and Beautiful Free Butterfly. All the classes went really well, despite there being no diagrams and no document camera and projector. I thought ahead and brought a pack of large paper with me, suitable for teaching. Everyone finished the model, and I had time to help a few people who weren’t quite up to the requires skill level. Hopefully they leveled up in my class.
I took a few other classes, including Beth Johnson’s Gorilla, and a Turkey and a Spider. I’ve been thinking about an origami spider for a long time, so now I’m trying again to make my idea work. Since it was a Chicago convention, there were a good number of folders I’d never met before, so it was great to meet them and see what they’re up to. Spent alot of time just hanging out, folding, and going out to eat, mainly with Beth, Katie, and Jared N. from Oregon. Also Eric, Wendy, Patty, Kathleen, June and a bunch of OUSA convention committee people.
Saturday night Jeannie and popped out right at sunset to go to the top of the Hancock Tower, which was once the tallest building in the world, and take in the view. And it’s … flat. There’s Lake Michigan in one direction, and the plains in the otter, and past the city they look more and more the same as the eye draws out to the horizon.
We also discovered Chicago style hot dogs. These are great, served with pickles and tomatoes as well as the more common ketchup, relish and onions, with an extra large frank and bun. Jeannie says Chicago style hot dogs and pizza are on the level of Buffalo chicken wings and beef on weck, and I’m inclined to agree.
Our flight home was on Sunday night. By this time it had started to rain. The trip home was smooth and uneventful. We were able to watch the first half of the Bills game in a bar in the airport, and most of the second half on the plane.
All in all a great convention. I hope they do it again. It was a great time, and there’s still lots to do and see in Chicago.
Coming soon – photos!