Alexander Levashov: RUSSIA

 

 

 

 

My fascination with origami started a long time ago. When my daughter was three years old, my wife Larisa and I decided to teach her origami -- the art of paper folding. That was how it all began.

 

Today, my daughter is 22 years old, and the art and educational activities took take place through the Museum-Theater of Origami, which I founded in 2007, have since turned into much bigger social and cultural projects. I decided to apply for the Ford IFP fellowship to get a high quality education in Social and Cultural Project Management. I received my MA in Management of Social & Cultural Projects from the Moscow School of Social & Economic Sciences in 2011.

 

 

I met Origami Master Akira Yoshizawa in the 1990's. He was Head of the Japanese Society of Origami at that time. In 2004, I proposed that together, we conduct a festival in Japan. Master Akira supported this idea. Unfortunately, he died six months before the festival was scheduled to take place. It was successfully held in Tokyo and Kyoto in August and Septembe of 2005. I continue to use Akira Yoshizawa’s books to learn art of origami and to teach others.

 

All of my projects are closely connected to social justice missions worldwide, as it focuses on the promotion of peace, cultural and social education through the art of origami.

 

Our main audience for theater performances and museum workshops are children, including those with disabilities, and those who come from orphanages or difficult family situations.

 

 

In our workshops, we use art therapy techniques both for children and their parents. Over the years, we have practiced an inclusive approach to art and peace education for children. We conduct origami art sessions mostly in primary schools, hospitals, rehabilitation centers for disabled children, and orphanages. We teach children a love for art, as well as introduce them to world culture, literature, arts and crafts. Many children in local regions do not have access to these kinds of social and cultural education programs with an art therapy effect.

 

 

Origami art not only unites and educates people. It also heals them mentally and physically too. Because of origami’s potential impact on others, my wife and I have received international recognition for our social work. In 2005, I was the recipient of an IFPC award (International Fund for the Promotion of Culture: UNESCO-CULTURE) in Paris, France.

 

 

I am deeply thankful to IFP for supporting my post-graduate education, and enabling me to acquire systematic knowledge and skills in project management. I was also grateful for the opportunity to visit New York City, where I organized my international art festival, Origami Peace Tree 9/11 Memorial, with my friends in the US. This project allowed me to become part of a larger community of origami lovers and connoisseurs advocating for peace and art education worldwide. I hope that with my unique origami projects, I am clearly demonstrating my commitment to art education development in my country, while promoting peace and social justice both locally and globally.

 

I invite you to learn more about my work by visiting my websites: Museum-Theater of Origami and Peace Tree Project.