Whenever Jovan Isakov, resident of the Belgrade suburb of Višnjica, takes a walk around the block, curios children surround him, imploring him to make them origami figures. Isakov is our finest origami artist and a true master of the ancient art of origami foldings, based on the skillful curving and bending of paper.

It is a common belief in Japan that those who create one thousand crane birds in origami are granted a prosperous, happy life. Jovan Isakov remembers vividly an important childhood event - watching a television show depicting numerous Japanese children which suffered radiation during the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, focused on patiently and masterfully making origami crane birds, and counting them in hope it will bring them good health.

Isakov did not fall immediately for this traditional Japanese craft of paper folding, situated half way between art and hobby. It was not until much later - and two decades ago - that he eventually stumbled upon a book of origami figures. That spiked his interest and motivated him to take a piece of paper and make his first origami figure according to scheme. Not only did he like it, but he also realized this ancient craft purged and regenerated the soul better than any meditation technique, helping ease the anxiety and calm restless thoughts. Ever since then, Jovan has successfully coped with all life problems, crises, and obstacles. Whenever he had a clean piece of paper and some spare time, he used them to make more origami figures.

And his figures were getting better and more complex with time.

Paper was originally made in China in 104 AD and was brought to Japan in the sixth century by the Buddhist priests. First origami figures can be traced to the same period, so the practice of making paper figures has a very long tradition. The word origami consists of two words - oru (bending, folding) and kami (paper) and is used to denote the art of paper folding, which had an important ceremonial purpose and was often used as a packaging material. It was left to parents to teach their children this subtle art with a high practical value.

Japanese magicians brought the practice of making stylized figures of people, animals, and objects to the West in the middle of the nineteenth century. Origami soon became widely popular in Britain and other parts of Europe. An employee of PTT Serbia, Isakov used his enthusiasm to promote this noble art in our country and helped establish the Origami Section at Đoka Pavlović Cultural-Artistic Association of PTT Serbia Public Company. Origami is both an interesting and useful practice, encouraging the child's motor skills and helping associative operations.

It also serves as a reminder that 'best things in life come for free - this is in the same time a cheap and creative hobby', says Jovan while he's watching his youngest pupil, the five-year old Aleksandra, carefully and patiently folding a piece of paper, shaping it slowly into a bird.

Isakov is our finest origami artist - the best when it comes to speed of making paper figures, famous for his ability to make two origami figures at the same time. He is also the champion of modular origami - the art of making complex paper figures composed of several pieces of origami. He is also making preparations to master the art of the extreme (big) origami and break the world record with the help of his students. There is something distinctly Japanese about the quiet, reserved Isakov: he shyly explains the Austrian Red Bull invited him to participate at the world origami exhibit next year, admitting he is a bit impatient - although not uneasy - about meeting with the world's leading origami masters. Isakov is looking forward to this new challenge that will allow him to demonstrate his ability to make everything he wants out of paper, claiming he cannot even remember all the figures he'd made in all these years.

The first step in mastering the art of origami is learning the basic principles of paper manipulation and developing the ability to follow the origami schemes. In an advanced phase of practice, basic skills are constantly improved and range of paper figures is always broadened. Practice makes perfect: maintaining concentration and high precision while carefully folding paper provides best results. Jovan hasn't used origami schemes for a long time - he does not need them anymore, as he's mastered this art so well he created numerous origami bases of his own and continued working on origami figures by heart. Some origami users are inclined to using special origami paper, while others do not discriminate and use all paper types with the ability of keeping shape. Use of cardboard makes for some interesting looking figures, and Jovan makes well use of these different paper types and folding techniques.

This old rocker wears his hair long and gathered into ponytail, and usually creates while listening to the good old rock 'n' roll music, playing 24/7. His paper figures are made during long sessions of the Rolling Stones, AC/DC, and Jimi Hendrix. He's proud of his origami Motorhead figures, which he sent to London to their leader and singer Lemmy. Of all his numerous exhibitions, the one that Jovan Isakov is most proud of is his exhibition of masks. Lately he's engaged in making origami figures from different local film sequences, including 3D scenes from the classics such as Who's Singing Over There? and Marathone Runners in the Lap of Honour.

They are so well made that it is easy to recognize all the actors - Bogdan Diklić, Bata Stojković, Zoran Radmilović, and others.

His work is not for sale: Isakov admits he has no intention whatsoever of selling his figures. For him, origami is the most beautiful game in the world and the joy to the heart, which is the reason he keeps and treasures his favourite figures and gives others as gifts to his friends. Jovan now intends to make an origami figure of Nikola Tesla and is busy with finding sponsors for his book, dedicated entirely to the art of origami. His wish is to help promote origami as much as possible, seeing this delicate Japanese art as a cure for many present-day 'illnesses of soul'.

Photo gallery:

• Ana Radžić
• Dress: The Legend of One Thousand Cranes
• Jovan Isakov