Marriage Moats-Between the Folds

Published: Wed, 02/13/19

Between the Folds

Caring for Marriage

I just watched an amazing movie called Independent Lens: Between the Folds. It is about origami and the limitless variety of what can be created from folded, uncut paper.

Most of the pieces arrive at a point when they are finished, and can be put on display. But there was one artist, Chris Palmer, who explored forms that move. The film showed snatches of the extended process as the paper shrank, grew, swooshed and danced. Mr. Palmer had interesting things to say about the creative process.

"When people in the gallery see an object, they miss two thirds of what happens, and how it was made."

"In the middle it always feels awkward, like it's not gonna work."

"Some things are released that were trapped inside."

"You have to push through the middle part that goes 'AHHH!' and not stop."

Personally, I was mesmerized. He and the other people in the film have an incredible ability to see potential, and to follow the steps to get there. Robert Lang, one of the origami masters, said that decades ago most origami involved perhaps 30 steps to completion, but now there are models that involve hundreds of steps. John and I have had the pleasure of being in Robert's home, and seeing scores of the intricate creations he has on display. There are paper people playing musical instruments that move, and a climber emerging from a rock face. He has insects that you need a magnifying glass to appreciate, and a Cuckoo Clock that took six hours to fold.

Marriage is a kind of art form. It has many steps, spread out over a lifetime. In the middle it feels awkward, like it's not going to work. There are qualities trapped inside each person, that spring forth as a relationship is created. There are blessings that only appear on close inspection, and resolutions that take years to achieve.

The thing I need to remember is to push through the middle part that goes "AHHH!" and not stop.

Love,
Lori

Photo by Andy Sullivan