Art and Science Collides with Paper

Posted on 05. Nov, 2008 by in All Posts, Cool+Creative, Neat Video, Tech Stuff, Techniques

Check out how the art of paper folding intertwines with math and science in Green Fuse Films’ new award winning documentary “Between the Folds.” Just from watching the trailer, I’m totally intrigued and can’t wait to see the whole film. I can already think of several ways this documentary can inspire or teach my art students. Share the trailer with your students and they will see the passion these artists have for the discovery of science and math through the art or origami. Below is a short description of the documentary from the films official site.

Film Overview

GREEN FUSE FILMS’ new documentary “Between The Folds” uncovers the stories of ten fine artists and intrepid theoretical scientists who abandoned careers and scoffed at hard-earned graduate degrees – all to forge unconventional lives as modern-day paperfolders.

As these offbeat and provocative minds 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 they 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.

With breathtaking cinematography, animation and a beautiful original score, 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.

ABSTRACT "CRUMPLED" ORIGAMI BY FRENCH ARTIST VINCENT FLODERER

HUMAN FIGURES BY GIANG DINH

Review: The Ultimate Cutter by Crayola

Posted on 29. Sep, 2008 by in All Posts, Reviews, Tools and Miscellaneous

Tool Name: The Ultimate Cutter by Crayola

Grade Level(s): 3rd and up

Category: Art Production

Product Review: I can finally allow younger children to use an exacto knive in my classroom. However, I would only recommend it for 3rd grade and up. I needed to train the students on how much pressure to add to achieve a good cut, but the investment in training was well worth the effort. Unlike other exacto knives, there is no way for the children to get cut – I can finally do some interesting paper cutting projects without the safety concerns. It would be good to have a few of these on hand for cutting out interior sections of paper or get a class set for whole-class art productions. The only drawback is that it is hard to get the blade lined up exactly where you want to begin to cut. When this happens, we just use a regular scissors to snip any areas left over the blade didn’t reach. The Ultimate Cutter comes with mini cutting mats – they aren’t great, but they work well for small areas.

Bucket Rating out of 5:

(3) Good. Worth a try.

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