I offer workshops and lectures

In my lecture “In the Service of the Scissors in Tokyo” I share the story of how, at the age of 38, I suddenly became a paper‑cutting artist — and how that unexpected path eventually led me to places such as Tokyo, all in the service of the scissors.

It’s a long story, but the essence is simple: I discovered that I could do something with a pair of scissors that I never knew I was capable of.

I believe I have always been a paper‑cutting artist. I just had to discover it myself…

The lecture includes, among other things::

• What it is like to step into the world of paper cutting at the age of 38 — and the many joys that came from daring to take that leap.
• Photos, experiences, and anecdotes from four journeys to Japan and five journeys to the USA in the service of the scissors — including the many wonderful people I have met along the way.
• An introduction to the different paper‑cutting universes I have developed over the years.
• My many paper‑cutting workshops in Denmark, Japan, and the USA.
• A bit about paper cutting in general, including H.C. Andersen’s paper cuts — and much more.

The length of the lecture is arranged individually with the organizer, but it typically lasts between 1 and 2 hours.

Feel free to Contakt contact me for more information, including pricing, if a lecture could be of interest to your organization.

Descriptive text about the lecture: 

In the Service of the Scissors in Tokyo

Practicing paper‑cutting artist Torben Jarlstrøm Clausen often says that he has probably always been a paper‑cutting artist — he just didn’t realize it until, at the age of 38, he happened to put scissors to paper for the very first time.

In his lecture, he shares the many exciting experiences he has had over the years in the service of the scissors. It is a story that begins in Denmark and reaches out to far‑off destinations such as Tokyo and the American Midwest. He also presents a wide range of his own paper‑cutting universes, each with its own distinctive expression, choice of materials, size, and cutting technique.

His goal is to spread awareness of how something as simple as a pair of scissors and a piece of paper can be used for immersion, meaningful togetherness — and for creating imaginative and creative paper cuts.

Since Torben Jarlstrøm Clausen stepped into the role of practicing paper‑cutting artist in 2004, he has exhibited in more than 110 locations in Denmark, the USA, and Japan, and has held over 100 physical and online paper‑cutting workshops with nearly 2,000 participants across the same three countries. More information about the artist can be found at på www.jarlstroempaperart.dk and on Facebook and Instagram: @JarlstroemPaperArt

The story behind The Paper Cut People is that these beings are already hidden deep inside the paper before I ever put scissors to it. I can sense that they are there, but at that stage the beings are sad and weighed down by life. They are unresolved and carry something heavy within them. After receiving a helping hand from the scissors, they are all cut free and move joyfully through our diverse world.

It is, in that sense, a universal story about how we as human beings must take responsibility for our own lives, look ourselves in the eye, and work with the things that make us sad or unhappy — and in doing so, find joy again. That is why all my cut-out beings smile and radiate happiness.

Since I became a paper‑cutting artist in 2004, I have held more than 100 paper‑cutting workshops with nearly 2,000 participants in Denmark, the USA, and Japan.

During my workshops, participants — under my guidance — get the chance to put scissors to paper themselves and release their very own cut-out existences. They experience the very best part of paper cutting: the moment when the paper is unfolded and the magic appears.

My experience is that participants — young and old — are eager to grab scissors and paper and start cutting. It is delightful to see that, just as every bird sings with its own voice, every person cuts with their own hand.

My workshops can always be adapted to specific needs.

Mine workshops kan altid tilpasses efter behov.

A typical workshop includes:

• A short introduction to my different paper‑cutting universes, including of course to The Paper Cut People (via PowerPoint)
• Instruction in how participants can cut the paper‑cut existences free from the paper
• Personal guidance and support so participants complete their paper cuts and experience the joy of using their creativity

Number of participants: up to 30
Target group: children, young people, and adults
Duration: approx 1.5 hours

I provide:

• All materials: paper, scissors, etc.
• A PR package: ready‑to‑use texts about the workshop, including graphics. The host may use this material as needed for press, website, social media, intranet, etc.

The host provides:

• Venue with tables and chairs
• Projector and screen for PowerPoint
• Handling registrations and any participation fee. The host can choose to charge a fee, which goes to the host. The host sets the fee amount.

The host may choose to charge a participation fee, which is payable to the host. The amount of the fee is set by the host.

Feel free to contact me for more information about workshop possibilities, including prices, etc.