Unknown Robert Lang models

[cowburger13]

I had thought I new all of Lang's work, but apparently, he has some designs I have never heard about. Such as his flying Kabutomushi, and his Goliath beetle. These are awesome models not shown on his website, and I was wondering, are there any more?

[Baltorigamist]

One of the OUSA convention books has a model of his called Generations, I think.

[toto93]

I've always wondered what his opus 1 is. Does anybody know? I couldn't find it on his website but I didnt bother looking through every single piece

[Baltorigamist]

I doubt he published it. Would you want yourself to be recognized by your first design, especially compared to what you've done since then?
I remember my first design--it was absolute crap compared to my newer work.

[origami_8]

Since Robert Lang took the time to number his models, I guess he could have a list of all his designs. So if you really want to know what Opus 1 is, why not just ask him? Not sure whether he would want a full list of his work being public, on the other hand there is nothing he could be ashamed of. Maybe if asked he would be willing to give you a list. A list doesn't show you the model, but at least its name.

[origamiguy]

I believe Robert has all his models described in some way, at least on paper. I had the pleasure of visiting him in April at his studio and he had a huge set of binders filled with paper. He said the binders were his backup for all his model diagrams/or hand drawn instructions. Granted he has not diagrammed all his models, but he has described them in some notation he understands.

Also, how could he have the Opus system for his models and not have a comprehensive list he keeps?

Robert? care to chime in? Though you are probably in Japan/Korea right now.

[Bugfolder]

For the record: Opus 1 was the Black Forest Cuckoo Clock, and I crushed Chuck Norris with it.

Actually, it's a really simple airplane (folded from 3x7), designed when I was probably about 12 or 13. I doubt that I'll ever publish it.

I do have diagrams or some sort of notes on all of the opera (and a varying backlog of 20 or 30 designs that need documenting and so haven't gotten numbers yet).

Regards,

Robert

[cowburger13]

Thanks for the response Dr. Lang. It would actually be pretty interesting to see some of your older lower grade models.

[Bugfolder]

Someday I'd like to publish all my notes, good, bad and foolish, but I've no idea when that will happen.

[Joe the white]

I eagerly await such a day . There was going to be a release of Neal Elias' notebook by BOS, but that was some years ago (I think I've read he was one of your inspirations). I think seeing/interpreting the thought process behind the designs is more interesting than just the finished product, such as the evolution of a design over its various versions (such as Yoshizawa and his various Cicadas). Your overall style has developed and changed visibly from "Complete Book of Origami" up through "Origami Design Secrets". Was that primarily due to the advancements in origami mathematic design and/or Treemaker 4?

[Bugfolder]

I eagerly await such a day . There was going to be a release of Neal Elias' notebook by BOS, but that was some years ago

Last I heard from Dave Venables, who was putting it together, it's still planned to happen. No schedule, though.

Your overall style has developed and changed visibly from "Complete Book of Origami" up through "Origami Design Secrets". Was that primarily due to the advancements in origami mathematic design and/or Treemaker 4?

All of the above, and more: developments in non-TreeMaker-type design, learning from other artists about what's important in artistic expression, changing aesthetics of what's important in a design. For example of the latter, in my younger, Elias-influenced days, I used box-pleating reasonably often. Then later, I tried to stay away from box-pleating (e.g., OI&tK). But then I came back to it again (more recent insects).

So, I think it's likely that any artist is going to change and evolve over time under a variety of influences. That's definitely been the case with me, and I'm sure my style will continue to change in the future.

[cowburger13]

Personally, I love boxpleating, but the one think I dislike, is that they are very hard to diagram.

[merman]

It would sure be nice to see a new collection of your models diagrammed. The box/hex pleated insects are a bit hard to diagram, but there is so much wonderful stuff on your website, like the sea otter, mountain fox, black panther and grizzly bear

[cowburger13]

As much as I love his insects, I would love a book on complex animals too!