Origami Lecture and Exhibition at Japanese American National Museum
Details
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http://www.janm.org/exhibits/foldingpaper/artists/
(This is a joint meetup with my Japanese group)
Dear members,
Recently I found out about this interesting lecture scheduled at 2pm on Saturday May 26th in Little Tokyo. It's one of the programs for the ongoing Origami exhibition "Folding Paper" which has been held at Japanese American National Museum from March 10 to August 26, 2012.
JAPANESE AMERICAN NATIONAL MUSEUM
369 East First Street
Los Angeles, California 90012
phone: 213.625.0414
fax: 213.625.1770
The lecture is for 2 hours by the world renowned origami artist/scientist Robert Lang who has a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Caltech and a former Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics from 2007–2010. He's a pioneer in computational origami and the development of formal design algorithms for folding. He consults on origami and its applications to engineering problems.... Sounds quite intriguing to me!:-))
http://www.janm.org/exhibits/foldingpaper/events/
From Flapping Birds to Space Telescopes: The Modern Science of Origami. A Lecture by Robert Lang
"The last decade of this past century has been witness to a revolution in the development and application of mathematical techniques to origami, the centuries-old Japanese art of paper-folding. The techniques used in mathematical origami design range from the abstruse to the highly approachable. In this talk, I will describe how geometric concepts led to the solution of a broad class of origami folding problems – specifically, the problem of efficiently folding a shape with an arbitrary number and arrangement of flaps, and along the way, enabled origami designs of mind-blowing complexity and realism, some of which you’ll see, too. As often happens in mathematics, theory originally developed for its own sake has led to some surprising practical applications. The algorithms and theorems of origami design have shed light on long-standing mathematical questions and have solved practical engineering problems. I will discuss examples of how origami has enabled safer airbags, Brobdingnagian space telescopes, and more.
Special: Robert Lang will lead an informal gallery talk after his lecture."
The lecture is free, but you need to pay for the general admission:
Adults $9.00
Seniors (62 and over) $5.00
Students (with ID) and Youth (6-17) $5.00
Children 5 and under and Museum Members, Free.
*Free general admission every Thursday from 5 to 8 PM and every third Thursday of the month.
Special group rates and rentals available. For reservations call 213.625.0414.
Adult and senior groups of 10 or more receive an admission discount of $1.00 off regular admission per person.
Also, if you take Metro, you can get $2 off Plus 10% Chado Tea Room, so why not drink tea afterward?))
http://www.janm.org/visit/metro/
http://media.janm.org/visit/chado/chado-exterior-alameda-signboard.jpg
"The Japanese American National Museum is located directly adjacent to the Metro Gold Line Little Tokyo/Arts District Station!
Show your valid Metro pass, Metro rail ticket, or Destination Discounts card and get $2 off any adult admission.
While you’re here, be sure to visit the delightful Chado Tea Room (http://www.janm.org/visit/chado) in the Terasaki Garden Café. Metro riders save 10% on more than 300 different types of specialty teas!
Visit www.metro.net (http://www.metro.net/) to use the Metro trip planner."
I plan to go there around 1:00pm to first see the exhibition which "showcases contemporary origami by renowned artists from countries as diverse as Japan, the United States, Uruguay, and Russia. It presents them within the context of origami history and examines the many evolving styles of origami today, from representational figures from nature to modular geometric forms and abstract sculptures."
You can also "give origami a try with hands-on activities in the galleries that will give you an opportunity to learn how origami has connections to art, math, and more!
Make or take a paper crane to share wishes for peace, hope, and longevity Fold an origami penguin like the one displayed in the exhibition Try your hand at modular origami Put your math skills to use with some simple origami math" http://www.janm.org/exhibits/foldingpaper/activities/
..OK, getting to sound really fun! Would you care to join me?
Sally
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http://www.janm.org/exhibits/foldingpaper/events/
"Robert J. Lang is recognized as one of the foremost origami artists in the world as well as a pioneer in computational origami and the development of formal design algorithms for folding. With a Ph.D. in Applied Physics from Caltech, he has, during the course of work at NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Spectra Diode Laboratories, and JDS Uniphase, authored or co-authored over 80 papers and 45 patents in lasers and optoelectronics as well as authoring, co-authoring, or editing 12 books and a CD-ROM on origami. He is a full-time artist and consultant on origami and its applications to engineering problems but keeps his toes in the world of lasers, most recently as the Editor-in-Chief of the IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics from 2007–2010. He received Caltech’s highest honor, the Distiguished Alumni Award, in 2009.
Origami Exhibition:
http://www.janm.org/exhibits/foldingpaper/events/
Folding Paper: The Infinite Possibilities of Origami is the first museum exhibition to explore the history of paper folding, the works of the world’s foremost origami artists, and the connection between origami and mathematics, science, and design.
Origami, or Japanese paper folding, began centuries ago in Japan, probably in religious ceremonies and as a pastime of Court nobles. By the 17th century, much of the population was folding birds, animals, and boxes. Paper folding was also practiced in Europe and became well established there by the 19th century. In both regions, the practice was regarded primarily as a children’s craft or hobby for adults with nimble fingers. It was not considered “art” until the mid 20th century, when folders around the world began experimenting with different styles, techniques, and materials. Now, origami is a sophisticated international art form worthy of museum exhibition, collection, and scholarship.
The exhibition showcases contemporary origami by renowned artists from countries as diverse as Japan, the United States, Uruguay, and Russia. It presents them within the context of origami history and examines the many evolving styles of origami today, from representational figures from nature to modular geometric forms and abstract sculptures.
The exhibition also examines the relationship between origami and art, science, and mathematics, and demonstrates its tremendous impact in areas as diverse as space exploration, medical research, and fashion design. Lastly, Folding Paper explores origami—particularly the beloved crane—as a powerful tool for world peace.
The exhibition is curated by Meher McArthur, with Robert J. Lang as exhibition advisor, and organized by the Japanese American National Museum, Los Angeles, and International Arts & Artists, Washington, DC. The exhibition was generously supported by the E. Rhodes & Leona B. Carpenter Foundation.