In 19th-century Germany, Lothar Meggendorfer (1847-1925) created the modern moveable book; Philadelphia artist Colette Fu (b. 1969) is a distinguished present-day practitioner of pop-up books and paper engineering.

For all their differences of time period, gender, ethnicity, and world view, Meggendorfer and Fu share a gift: the ability to capture the zeitgeist of their day. Both Fu and Meggendorfer mesmerize and entice their audiences while recording moments in history that ripple on for generations. Their book forms are similarly created with paper, paste, and simple mechanics that appear complex, but the style and the final artwork differ dramatically. Fu’s and Meggendorfer’s work document--whether explicitly or implicitly--the colonialist impulses layered within the cultures they observe.

Explore the designs and forms that define each artist’s career.

Discover the meanings central to both artists’ creations and delve into the inspirations, themes, and messages that span both oeuvres.

Consider the messages found within their work and the role of art in social commentary.