Limited Edition of 8
FLORIGAMI IN THE GARDEN traveling exhibition
Butterflies, released from the dress as cut-outs, apply their transformative magic to the task of lifting the woman up and carrying her away—in loveliness, possibility, and lightness of spirit. At the same time, the butterfly-shaped openings allow us to see her outer and inner beauty at once. Even from the front, the pure white dress, a symbol of tranquil elegance, offers a glimpse into the nature of her deepest self. Like glowing bronze, it is both softly nurturing and undeniably strong.
Jennifer Box created the folded paper art from which this piece was produced. It is the first in her dress series to incorporate cut-outs and the first to be scaled up—the dress itself stands 5 feet high. The sculpture represents an ongoing creative collaboration between Jennifer and Kevin that began in 2006. At the time, Jennifer, a former professional dancer, choreographer, and costume designer, was working for the nonprofit National Dance Institute.
Kevin showed his wife a folded paper sculpture he was developing, which he saw as a reclining nude, a recurring theme in the history of art. Jennifer saw something else. “If you stand it up, I see her as a dancer in white,” she said. Specifically, she saw the acclaimed dancer Isadora Duncan, who often danced in flowing white tunics. The sculpture became Isadora’s Dress. The piece ushered in not only a new series, designed by Jennifer, but a joyful collaboration that saw her join Kevin’s team full-time in 2008.
For Jennifer, this piece holds special personal meaning, reflecting her own multi-sided nature as well as that of all women. She loves being outdoors or doing physical work in rough-and-ready clothes. She also enjoys the feeling of transformation that comes with dressing up. She is independent-minded and strong, unafraid to express herself, and also a warm, compassionate soul. As a longtime yoga practitioner, she appreciates the spiritual perspective in which the seen and unseen are one. In this sense, Carried Away holds a message that transcends gender. As Jennifer puts it: “Every being has the ability to be present, to be The Light that connects us all.”
