Origami impresses. But does it still amaze?

Origami impresses. But does it still amaze?

What if the technical breakthroughs currently transforming origami weren't entirely beneficial?

Today’s mastery allows for creations of stunning finesse and realism. The level of complexity, precision, and attention to detail has reached heights we never thought possible just a few years ago.
It’s impressive. And yet… nothing truly surprises us anymore.

When was the last time you felt that inner jolt when looking at a folded model? That moment when a thought crosses your mind: “What I’m seeing is impossible... and yet it exists.”

I still vividly remember moments of pure awe: Robert Lang’s “Black Forest” Cuckoo Clock, the legendary Ryujin, the wasp by Satoshi Kamiya, or the creations by Éric Joisel. These models didn’t just impress—they moved me, leaving a lasting mark.

Today? We look, we admire, we hit “like”... and then move on. The impact simply isn’t the same. The sense of wonder has faded.
The spectacle remains, but the magic has faded away.

I feel privileged to have experienced those rare and authentic moments.

It is sad to think that younger folders might never experience this unique moment of grace, simply because the extraordinary has now become commonplace.