"Cardboard is a universal phenomenon. It's such a perfect vehicle for an artist. All of my work has always been about issues of mortality and this was a perfect opportunity and a perfect vehicle to face the inevitable."
The Bruce Museum welcomed a local artist Thursday night to it's monthly movie nights in partnership with the Connecticut Film Festival.
The film entitled the "Cardboard Bernini" journeys into the life of James Grashow, who creates sculptural masterpieces out of cardboard with the intention of allowing them to be destroyed by nature.
The film's director Olympia Stone says as the second documentary she's worked on since 2007, the Cardboard Bernini dives intimately into creative process of art.
"it's unusual to see an intimate portrait of an artist at work, especially for people who are interested in the creative process," Stone said. "I think it's a pretty unique kind of experience to get to go inside Jimmy's studio where the magic happens."
Some of his pieces include a cardboard replica of the Trevi Fountain, which Grashow says took him six years to complete.
"Water and cardboard don't mix," Grashow said. "The eventual thing in the movie is that we've taken the piece after 6 years of work and put it outside at the Aldrich Museum and let the weather and the rain take the whole piece away."
Grashow's work has been used in album covers for Jethro Tull and Yardbirds. He was noted in various publications including the New York Times. Grashow says his advice to prospective artists is never quit what you're passionate about.
"Everything is about passion," Grashow said. "Standing out on the edge and doing things that nobody wants is thrilling."
For more information on movie nights visit brucemuseum.org.
