The sculpture, ‘Flying Folds’, celebrates 10 years along with the White Rock Branch Library. Photo by Leslie Bucklin/LAC
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Ten years ago, the new White Rock Branch Library officially opened its doors to the community.
Ever since, it has wowed the community with its modern architecture, which is three times the size of the original branch library. According to a County press release, the library “quickly became a hub for the White Rock community.”
While offering all the amenities patrons expect and desire from a library, perhaps the one thing that is tightly tied to the White Rock Branch Library’s identity is the sculpture “Flying Folds” a stainless steel, powder coated representation of an origami crane with a 10-foot-wingspan that is mounted on a stone pedestal near the southeast corner of the library.
Its companion piece, “Crane Unfolded” hangs on one of the walls in the library’s vestibule. It depicts the unfolded creased pattern of the crane.
Getting the pieces took several turns, according to the Los Alamos County Arts in Public Places Board’s (APPB) recommendation to purchase the pieces in 2015.
New Mexico artist Kevin Box and California artist Robert J. Lang collaborated to create the sculptures. According to the APPB report, “Flying Folds” was originally proposed for the plaza in front of the Municipal Building but was turned down.
It was stated in the report that “although APPB thought the proposed artwork to be beautiful and creative, the board did not feel that it was the best choice for the plaza location, and the proposal was not selected.”
However, discussions were underway for artwork for the new branch library. “Flying Folds” was considered a good fit for the library because of the “library-paper connection,” according to the APPB report. Plus, since the origami crane specifically resembles the Sandhill Crane, it was further connected to the White Rock area.
Ten years later, the decision to purchase the sculpture remains firm.
“The crane sculpture is an outstanding example of thoughtful public art,” Senior Librarian Eva Jacobson said. “The Art in Public Places (APP) Board deserves recognition for the selection. The sculpture enhances both the architecture of the building and the surrounding landscape. Not surprisingly, it has become an iconic symbol of the White Rock Branch Library, so much so that we now use a stylized outline of the crane as the logo for all branch-specific promotional materials.”
The artists, Box and Lang recently discussed their work with the Los Alamos Daily Post.
Box explained the sculpture’s subject matter is the same as the Japanese peace cranes but with more details.
He added that he thinks of it from the perspective of the science of war and the science of peace being the same thing – depending on where the focus is put on and where intentions are placed.
“As an artist it is my role to create culture and create artwork to some degree from nothing,” Box said. “We transform a blank piece of paper into a story you are writing or a mathematical algorithm or a painting … ultimately the theme of my work is the blank page.”
He elaborated that the piece outside the library is essentially a blank piece of paper even though people see a bird.
“There are underlying tones that can be weaved in and out of it harmoniously,” Box said.
Inside the library is the unfolded work, he added. It unfolds to a mathematical mandala.
“It unveils the incredible complex reality behind the surface of things we cannot see but lives within our minds, our heart, our souls,” he said.
Lang said he felt placing “Flying Folds” outside the library seemed like a good fit, conceptually.
“It’s a beautiful site,” he said. “The whole area is gorgeous and having the outdoor location with the new library and the vistas looking out beyond it is just a wonderful sight. The white crane stands out, but it doesn’t clash; it fits with the feeling of nature that prevails over the area and the site. It fits quite well.”
The reasons why the sculpture is appropriate for the area go beyond aesthetics. Lang noted that the traditional Japanese crane is a symbol of peace and then after the atomic bombs during World War II, the crane became a symbol of healing.
Despite living in California, Lang said he has returned to White Rock to see the crane sculpture.
“I’ve been back in White Rock to see the piece,” he said. “You never get tired of seeing a piece.”
Box and Lang are long-time collaborators; they have been working together for 17 years. Box said he initially met Lang at a film festival for a documentary that featured Lang, titled “Between the Folds”.
It has been a great partnership, Box described it as “like playing in a band with a rock star.”
“I feel we both feel mutually excited – neither of us could do this without the other,” he said. “It is a great feeling accomplishing something better than what we could do ourselves as individuals.”
Lang agreed.
“It has continued to be a highlight of my professional career because we are both artistically compatible … we create something neither of us would have created on our own. It has made for a very satisfying collaboration,” he said
To celebrate the library and its sculpture, the library will host a Street Fair, 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday, followed by an Author Talk with Hampton Sides, 6-7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 31.
Throughout July, visitors to the White Rock Branch will also, just by visiting the White Rock Branch, enter a daily giveaway for a commemorative high-quality canvas bag featuring the branch library’s iconic crane image.