Independent Lens Film Screening: “Between the Folds”
In partnership with Vermont Public Television and Brattleboro Community Television, BMAC presents Between the Folds (2008), a highly acclaimed documentary film exploring the science, art, creativity, and ingenuity of many of the world’s best paper folders. After the screening, audience members are invited to take part in a paper-folding event led by sculptors James Florschutz and Mariel Pitti. Mathematician Tom Hull, one of the paper folders featured in the film, will be on hand to display some of his intricate paper models of mathematical and scientific structures.
An official selection of more than 25 film festivals worldwide, 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 paper folders. As they converge on the unlikely medium of origami, these artists and scientists reinterpret the world in paper and bring forth a bold mix of sensibilities towards art, expressiveness, creativity, and meaning. 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.
Sculptor James Florschutz of Newfane, Vermont, employs elements of nature and industry as a stimulus for conceptual manipulation. He uses wood and stone, often combined with post-industrial materials, to make sculptures that create a dialogue with nature and our society. By using materials discarded from our society and culture, Florschutz investigates the ubiquity of sites, excavations, and mapping. His work has been exhibited in solo and group shows nationwide and is held in numerous private and corporate collections. Mariel Pitti, also of Newfane, creates ceramic art, mixed media constructions, and encaustic paintings. “My work is rooted in evolution and new applications for used materials. I notice the potential in all materials, whether discarded or new, as a means to mark and express my journey.”
Tom Hull is an associate professor of mathematics at Western New England College known for his expertise in the mathematics of paper folding. Prior to his appointment at WNEC, Hull taught at Merrimack College. Hull’s doctoral dissertation was in graph theory, which he chose because it seemed to be the closest subject to origami that he could research for his Ph.D. Since then he has been working on research problems in origami-math and teaching origami-math classes. Hull recently wrote a book on using origami to teach math.
Between the Folds is being shown as part of BMAC’s new Community Cinema program, which features documentary films from the Emmy Award-winning PBS series Independent Lens. Every month — September through May — BMAC hosts a free public screening of a cutting-edge documentary film soon to be aired on PBS. Organized in collaboration with Vermont Public Television and Brattleboro Community Television, screenings are accompanied by community-based discussions and events that bring together citizens, organizations, and public television stations in dialogue and action around important social issues.
Admission: free