Digital Portraits With Origami

The idea for combining digital photo with origami came up when I was looking for a picture in magazines to display my origami earrings, but could not find any. One day, it occurred to me that I needed a self-portrait. When an idea was finally conjured up, the rest was easy - I need to take a digital portrait, use Photo shop to make a high-contrast photo, print it out in black and white, and then put holes into my earlobes on the photo to hang the earrings. The photo/origami looked pretty interesting so I wanted to see more portraits with different folds on them. I asked coworkers and patrons if they would like to be my models, and also to appear in a Digital Photo/Origami Show at BPL-Central. The result was seventeen portraits and so here they are together on the walls.

This is the first Digital Photo/Origami Exhibit of myself, co-workers and patrons of the BPL. Origami books that I used for the folds in the show are: Minigami, Origami-Inspired by Japanese Prints, Tea-Bag Folds, Festive Folding, and Origami For Displays.

I would like to thank Ms. Michele M. for her help with the set-up and all my models for their participation in the show.

Hope you enjoy viewing these origami/photos, email me at nga53@hotmail.com if you have any comments and suggestions. Furthermore, please check out nganamasia on You Tube to see more of my artwork.

Thank you very much.

My portrait with a pair of star earrings.

Anh-V Doan is a technology helper/ volunteer at West Branch. He's been a library patron since the age of two. Anh-Vu likes science fiction books, comics and movies.

He graduated from U.C. Berkeley with a Bachelor degree in Atmospheric Science, and presently plans to go to graduate school in the same field.

H-Bao Doan is a volunteer/student worker at North Branch. He's also been a BPL patron since he was a baby.

Bao is in tenth grade at Oakland School for the Arts, and his emphasis is Visual Art. He reads mostly comics, drawing, history, martial art and military books.

Vivian V. is a Supervising Library Assistant at North Branch. She's been with BPL for over twenty years. Vivian graduated from University of San Francisco with a major in biology. She likes Salsa dance and passionately loves roses.

Juan C. works at North Branch as a Library Assistant. He's been with BPL for almost ten years. Juan went to Berkeley High and Ohlone College. He likes to read African American History books, and plays Reggae music with his band - The Razafarianas.

Annette L. is a thirty-two happy year BPL patron, mostly at North Branch, her home away from home. Annette likes visiting local libraries and senior centers, reading and walking. She's very proud of her children. Annette used to travel a lot to Sydney- Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Fiji, Samoa, Paris, England and Scotland.

Nick M. is a Library Assistant/Specialist at Claremont/Central Art & Music. He was born in Pontiac Michigan. Nick attended Ohio State University with majors in English and Fine Arts.
His interests include: arts, films, sports, history, jazz and international music. His favorite readings are Paul Bowles' stories.

Jeri E. grew up in Harlem, New York. She graduated from City College of NY with a BA in English literature. She also earned a Master of Library Science from Columbia University. Jeri has been a South Branch manager for almost eleven years.

Raffi G. is an Office Specialist II, he has been with BPL since January 1989. His hobbies are watching movies, reading, playing with his son, tinkering with computers, snowboarding, mountain biking and scuba diving.

Sam Clemons works at Central as a Library

Technician/Supervisor. He's been with BPL since 1989.

Lynn M. is a librarian in Art & Music department, and she's been with Berkeley Public Library for twenty-eight years. Lynn graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a BA in Music and a MLS degree from UC Berkeley. She's helped BPL patrons to find and locate all types of music, and she can't imagine a better and more satisfying job.

Rudy T. is a Library Assistant at Central. He studied Library Information Technology Program at City College of San Francisco.
Rudy started as a volunteer at the Oakland Public Library at the age of 10. He also worked as a Library Aide and then as a Library Assistant with OPL. He has a total of 19 years of experience with OPL and BPL. He loves horror movies.

Gwen J. has been with BPL for almost 40 years. She works in Technical Services/Order Unit at Central as a Supervising Library Assistant. Her hobbies are knitting and bowling.

Armin A. is a Children's Librarian with seven years service with BPL. She has worked with libraries in Bombay-India, Edmonton-Canada and here in the Bay Area. Armin has always been a voracious reader, reading books on a variety of topics. She particularly enjoys children's books and non-fiction. She loves being outdoors and spending time with her family.

Adam B. is a Tool Lending Specialist at the Tool Lending Library/South Branch. He's been with BPL for eighteen years.

Kha R. S. works at North Branch as a Library Aide for over nine years. He loves traveling especially to Cambodia, the country of his birth.

Linda works at BPL-West Branch.