STEM and the arts can seem like diametrically opposite pursuits, with students typically focusing on one or the other. But in origami, the ancient Japanese art of paper folding, the abstract and practical combine to form a meticulously created representation of a recognizable object.
Chemical and biomolecular engineering senior Jodie Deng is adept not only at this ornate style of paper folding, but also at sharing this practice with patients at two local hospice facilities: Gilchrist and Keswick. As a member of student group Believe In Art, Deng visits patients there weekly to engage their hands and minds through paper folding or other forms of art.
“We focus on origami because it’s very interactive and has parts that move,” Deng says, adding that they collaborate on sketches as well. “Sometimes we make it for them. Sometimes we just talk.” Popular origami shapes are hearts, snowflakes, and flowers.
Deng and other Believe in Art members also make cards for patients—about 50 a month—sometimes for special occasions, and sometimes just to say hello. The group, comprising about 200 students, is always recruiting new members and smaller subgroups make visits as a whole to various hospice locations.
Deng believes that her engineering studies complement her artistic pursuits.
“I feel like art is being observative, so it kind of plays in both fields,” she says. “Art to me is understanding people in some way, trying to depict their expressions, the stories behind them.”
This semester, Deng has been spending a lot of time with one patient, and their work together on art has led to a more personal connection.
“I really cherish the time with her,” she says. “It’s become like a friendship.”