600 'Imiloa Place, Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720
Web site: www.imiloahawaii.org Phone: (808) 969-9700
For Immediate Release June 26, 2015 Media Contacts: Vincent Recinto Debi Ueda 808-969-9714 808-969-9723 [email protected] [email protected]
‘IMILOA EXPLORES THE ART AND SCIENCE OF PAPER FOLDING
IN NEW EPIC ORIGAMI EXHIBIT
Hilo, Hawai‘i – ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center will feature local Waimea artist Bonnie
Cherni and other guest artists in a new EPIC ORIGAMI exhibit. The three-month exhibit
will explore the art and science of origami from July 5, 2015 – September 27, 2015.
Cherni’s art has been shown at Kahilu Theatre, Keck Observatory and Waimea
Ocean Film Festival and will be presented at ‘Imiloa with some never-seen-before pieces
including the Jackson lizard, an endangered Hawaiian hoary bat, rhinos, the wild pig and a
smiley frog. This exhibit will also explore how the application of math to art has made
advances in astronomy, medicine and the automotive industry. In conjunction with this
exhibit, the award-winning film “Between the Folds” will be shown daily in the Planetarium
at 11:00 a.m. (not full dome, but letterbox format). This documentary paints a striking
portrait of the remarkable artistic and scientific creativity that fuels the ever-changing art of
origami, fusing science and sculpture, form and function, and ancient and new. A hands-on
origami folding station and exciting origami scavenger hunt will also be a part of this exhibit.
The exhibit will officially open on Sunday, July 5 at 9:00 a.m. with two showings of
“Between the Folds” at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. and origami folding stations available
throughout the day. From 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. ‘Imiloa members are invited to a private
pizza lunch and exclusive origami folding activities with artist Bonnie Cherni.
Cherni is an avid student of John Montroll’s designs and was inspired to fold origami
from age of fifteen. She is the leading artist for this exhibit and has collaborated with guest
artists from around the world, creating everything from miniature to life-sized sculptures, in
mediums ranging from paper, aluminum, copper and canvas. Her art embodies the idea of
Happenings Page 2 “folding sturdy sculptures that can live out in the real world.” Other artists represented
include: (1) Vietnamese artist Nguyen Hung Cuong lives in Hanoi and folds many of his
expressive designs using a Vietnamese paper with a waxy finish called Dó. He has been
folding since the young age of five and has been featured in many origami books with his
incredibly detailed pieces. (2) Nicolas Terry is a professional origami artist who resides in
Paris, France. He is an accomplished author and creator of one of the most popular origami
sites in the world (origami-shop.us). (3) Steven Epstein resides on the Big Island. With a
degree in computer science and minor in math, Epstein has fun bringing math to life with
his intricate modular origami pieces. (4) Local artist Shannon Nakaya is a highly recognized
bird surgeon and veterinarian who applies her understanding of anatomical structure and
function to folding complex origami.
Admission to EPIC ORIGAMI and “Between the Folds” is included in the general
admission fee of $17.50 for adults and $9.50 for children. Kama’aina prices are available
and, and always, ‘Imiloa members receive free admission.
Cherni will be back at ‘Imiloa to teach special workshops on July 11 and September
19 from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Beginner to advanced origami folders are welcome and can
explore the many possibilities of this fun and addicting art! Admission is $25.00 for
members and $35.00 for non-members. Space is very limited so early registration is
suggested. An adult must accompany children under ten. To sign-up, visit ‘Imiloa’s front
desk or call (808) 969-9703.
‘Imiloa Astronomy Center of Hawai‘i is a world-class informal science education
center located on the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo campus. ‘Imiloa is a place of life-long
learning where the power of Hawaiʻi’s cultural traditions, its legacy of exploration and the
wonders of astronomy come together to provide inspiration and hope for generations. The
Center’s interactive exhibits, 3D full dome planetarium, native landscape, and programs and
events engage children, families, visitors and the local community in the wonders of science
and technology found in Hawai‘i. It is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday
through Sunday (closed Mondays). For more information, visit the website at
www.imiloahawaii.org or call (808) 969-9703.
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