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World-renowned Origami Artist to Visit UK Oct. 22-23

By Sarah Jayne Johnson

Lang's popular lectures on origami explore its connections to mathematics, science and technology. His workshops cover both artistic techniques and application in industrial design.

Robert Lang, one of the world's leading origami artists, will visit the University of Kentucky Oct. 22-23 to present a public lecture and hold workshops. The free events are sponsored by UK Student and Academic Life and hosted by the UK Department of Mathematics in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Lang's popular lectures on origami explore its connections to mathematics, science and technology. His workshops cover both artistic techniques and application in industrial design.

"It is exciting to give our students a chance to hear from a leading expert whose work connects Japanese studies, engineering, the arts and mathematics," said Russell Brown, professor of mathematics who is helping to organize the events. "Students, faculty, staff and the general public are encouraged to come learn more about the art of paper folding, which has led to some surprising practical applications (like safer car airbags) and has solved engineering problems."

Workshops will be held 3-4:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22, in Room 234 of the White Hall Classroom Building, and 2-3:30 Tuesday, Oct. 23, in Room 331 of the Gatton Student Center. Lang's public lecture, "From Flapping Birds to Space Telescopes: The Modern Science of Origami," will take place 5-6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, in the Gatton Student Center's Worsham Cinema.

Because space is limited, attendees are required to register for the events at https://math.as.uky.edu/lang-origami.

Lang has been an origami student for over 50 years and has over 700 designs cataloged and diagrammed. He uses his knowledge of mathematics and engineering techniques to fold astonishing objects and designs that are both beautiful and useful.

Trained in electrical engineering and applied physics at California Institute of Technology and Stanford University, Lang uses a Western school of mathematical origami design with an Eastern emphasis on line and form to create distinctive, challenging and beautiful works of art. His work has been shown in exhibits at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City; Carrousel du Louvre in Paris; Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, Massachusetts; the MingeiI International Museum of World Folk Art; and Nippon Museum of Origami in Kaga, Japan, among others. He was also the first westerner ever invited to address the Nippon Origami Association annual meeting in 1992 and has authored 17 books and numerous articles on origami art and design.

To learn more about Lang, visit his website at https://langorigami.com.

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