Between the folds

Yesterday evening, the European premiere of the award-winning documentary film about origami “Between the Folds” took place as part of the Wiesbaden Design Days, which are held under the motto “Access All Areas”.

A few short facts about the evening: organized by Q GmbH Wiesbaden, moderated by CEO Thilo von Debschitz, sold out and with guests of honor like director Vanessa Gould (and her father, who came from the USA especially for this purpose) and the origami artist Sipho Mabona from Lucerne (an interview with him follows in the June issue of Slanted Magazine #8).

All those who were able to grab a ticket were able to enjoy a conversation with Sipho Mabona right at the beginning of the event. As an origami artist, Mabona was able to take part in the multiple award-winning Asics commercial “Pursuit of Perfection”.

After a short break, in which one could decide for “Between the Folds” in English (in the theatre hall) or in English with German subtitles (in a small, cosy cinema in the basement), the film screening began. Rarely has a documentary inspired and amazed me so much. Origami has always been the paper crane for me, which is often used as a symbol for the art of paper folding. Until yesterday evening I didn’t know how many different types of origami really existed—not only in the Far East, but also in France, the USA, Israel …

The different artists in the film, despite very different approaches, all had something in common: they love paper and show very personal emotions through their art. Some fold only people whose facial expression says more than 1000 words, others design crocodiles that are almost 2 meters long—and all this from a single piece of paper just by folding it. There are artists who go in a completely different direction: Origami sculptures that consist of only a single folding step or that draw complex physical-mathematical conclusions based on origami. Even our DNA is folded.

A quiet aftertaste of the artists could also be heard: See origami as art, not as meaningless folding!

Unfortunately, I have to disappoint those (for the time being) who would like to watch the film. Vanessa, who was also asked for a talk after the film, revealed that the film would not be shown in German cinemas for the time being, but they were planning to release it on DVD. I am curious.

Next year Q, who also hosted a screening of the Helvetica film in 2007, will again do something similar—then maybe (the mayor has almost agreed) in the big hall of the Walhalla Theatre, which offers space for 1000 interested people!

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Press release (Greenfuse Films)

GREEN FUSE FILMS’ award-winning documentary Between The Folds chronicles the stories of ten fine artists and intrepid theoretical scientists who have abandoned careers and scoffed at hard-earned graduate degrees—all to forge unconventional lives as modern-day paperfolders.

As they converge on the unlikely medium of origami, they reinterpret the world in paper, and bring forth a fascinating mix of sensibilities towards art, expressiveness, creativity and meaning. And, together these offbeat and provocative minds demonstrate the innumerable ways that art and science come to bear as we struggle to understand and honor the world around us—as artists, scientists, creators, collaborators, preservers, and simply curious beings.

“Luminously photographed”, with a “haunting” original score which features the Budapest Symphony Orchestra, the film paints an arresting portrait of the mysterious creative threads that bind us all—fusing science and sculpture, form and function, ancient and new.

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