Coffee and Conversations with Robert J. Lang

Robert J. Lang is speaking at the Mingei International Museum on Thursday, October 8, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM. It's a "Coffee and Conversations" talk, and the focus is on Vertical Pond III: From the Ashes, a towering piece of origami that's currently on display in the museum's To Catch a Fish exhibition.

Lang is a former NASA physicist who made the jump to full-time paper folding, and he's one of the most recognized names in origami. During the hour, he'll walk through his history with the art and the specific circumstances that led to Vertical Pond III. If you've seen the piece in the exhibition, this is your chance to hear the story behind it directly from the person who folded it. He'll also touch on what comes next in his origami journey, so it's as much about where he's going as where he's been.

The museum itself is a good place to spend a morning in Balboa Park. Founded in 1978 on the Plaza de Panama, the Mingei preserves and exhibits folk art, craft, and design from all eras and cultures, built on the idea that everyday objects can also be objects of beauty. Its collection has grown to more than 25,000 objects from 141 countries, and it runs hands-on programs like Knot Together, Make at Mingei, and Camp Mingei for young makers.

Tickets are $12 for members and $20 for non-members. The talk runs from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM on Thursday, October 8, at the Mingei International Museum, Plaza de Panama, Balboa Park, 1439 El Prado, San Diego, CA 92101.