"Transformation"
"Transformation" is an exhibition of 1,300 hand-folded, colorful origami butterflies that sway and flutter to bring a sense of calm and peace to Natividad’s patients, families, and staff alike. The butterflies are suspended at various heights from the second floor atrium in the Barnet J. Segal Outpatient Lobby of Natividad Medical Center to capture imaginations and spark a sense of wonder and cheer as soon as a guest enters the Hospital.
The word Transformation is written in English, Spanish, Tagalog, and Japanese on the four walls surrounding the butterflies, the four main languages spoken at Natividad.
The Artist – Juleen Johnson
Johnson uses a meditative process to fold butterflies – a process she feels is hypnotizing, thought-provoking and allows her to see inside herself. She was adopted at age 3 from a Korean orphanage by an American family living in Valdez, Alaska.
The origami butterflies can be interpreted as Johnson’s individual journey of migration through different stages in her journey into American culture; they can also be viewed as many different individuals united in their journey together.
Johnson feels she has been through a metamorphosis – like a butterfly – as she migrated and grew into her new culture. While creating this piece, she was searching for her real identity, and at the end of her creative process, Johnson had integrated her two cultures and transformed into her true self.
This Gift is Made Possible By:
Anonymous
English