POWER OF THE FOLD...

Last week I finally got to see "  Between the Folds"   shown on Independent Lens (PBS). Much more that I could have ever imagined, Between the Folds chronicles the stories of ten fine artists and theoretical scientists who have abandoned careers and scoffed at hard–earned graduate degrees—all to forge unconventional lives as modern–day paperfolders."

The simplicity of origami is that it allows everyone the opportunity to create their own interpretation of the world we all share -- through paper. An art form that is not only revolutionizing contemporary art as newer generations of practitioners redefine and exceed traditional perimeters.  Mathematicians like Erik Demaine, associate professor of MIT, are also using computer based models of origami to study how to save lives.
 

It all has to do with custom designed protein folding. In fact, I learned through the film, the entire universe is about folding. Everything in creation is continually folding into itself as it metamorphoses. Erik says proteins folds into one shape (like a spiral staircase). When proteins fold the wrong way diseases like Alzheimer and AIDS are caused. The folding process is something that happens slowly over time. Even if scientist were to watch the process in a clinical setting the folds would not occur properly. In other words, there currently no way to study the process naturally outside the body. So, the current premise is, that if they can create computer generated mathematical models of how proteins can fold. Scientist could then begin to design synthetic proteins useful in creating drugs to fight or eliminate the disease without binding to the human host and causing additional problems....

Between the Folds has won several awards and is being called  "Filmmaking at its most wondrous. ... breathtaking." . . . "A riveting feast for the eye and mind" . . . "Mesmerizingly beautiful" . . . "Exhilarating" . . .

Director Vanessa Gould says: "At its heart, Between the Folds is a film about potential. The potential of an uncut paper square. The potential of a wild scientific idea. The potential to see things differently..." ...That's exactly how I came away from the viewing. ...Feeling like the only limits on my art are the ones I place there myself.

 I believe the free public showings have concluded, however the DVD is for sell on the Between the Folds website and through Amazon beginning January 5, 2010. For this papergirl's money -- It's a keeper: inspiring ideas, amazing imagery, motivation to push beyond perceived barriers, paper paper paper -- well worth adding to your library.

Director, Producer Vanessa Gould is also a pianist and artist... Beautiful Job Vanessa! Below is a list of more links about the film and how to purchase it.

Links (cut and past into internet address window):

Between The Fold Website: http://www.greenfusefilms.com/index.html

List of Artist and Scientists featured in the film: http://www.greenfusefilms.com/artists.html

Article on Protein Folding: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protein_folding

Purchase DVD from Green Fuse Films: http://www.greenfusefilms.com/store.html

All images of work shown borrowed from http://www.greenfusefilms.com/index.html are: 1) work of Chris Palm; 2) Paul Jackson; 3) Erik Demain at chalk board by his father Martin Demain; and works of: 4) Dinh Giang (from his website); and 5) Robert Lang.