So this was what I made instead. I still like to call it the wedding tapestry, but it is clearly not tapestry at all. The origami forms are cranes. Watching the sandhill cranes in various parts of the west has been a favorite activity of mine ever since I ran across a pair accidentally on a wildlife refuge in eastern Oregon in 2003 (no, I wasn't supposed to be walking there during nesting season, but honestly it was a mistake. The fish and wildlife guy who drove in to tell me to get off the refuge until nesting season was over couldn't get out his spiel before I was interrupting him--yeah, I'm sorry, I know I'm not supposed to be here, but what are those big birds with the crazy call!?). I folded cranes for my mother when she had cancer and for myself when I was going through a rough patch. It was such a rough patch actually that I folded 1000 and made a large mobile out of them which hung in my house for a long time... only recently retired as I didn't need it any more. Cranes are healing and peaceful and fascinating. So for our wedding, I folded cranes. Quite a lot of them as it turns out.
The idea was to create a sort of art installation that was comprised of pieces that could be sent home with our guests. They were asked to hang the crane strings in their homes as a way of supporting us for the first year of our marriage.
Each of the crane strings had a marker with our names and the wedding date on it as well as a charm at the end which was chosen specifically for each person.
At the end of the weekend, each crane strand was taken off the copper display rod, packed in a round box, and sent home with our family and friends.
The whole project was rewarding and I realized how powerful adding a lot of similar pieces together can be in a work of art. It was kind of mesmerizing as I was close to finishing it. A curtain of cranes.
Wow! That was so beautiful as a 'tapestry', it was a shame to separate it. But what a special gift to your family and friends. And what a great reminder to them of your love and your wish for their participation in it. Beautiful idea.
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful! I agree that it is a shame to separate it, but still wonderful gifts for everyone. Folding paper is some how mesmerizing, but still interesting, especially when you use different colors and papers.
ReplyDeleteThat is beautiful and totally amazing. What a wonderful and meaningful thing to give the guests at the close of the celebration, even though it was a shame to break up the piece of artwork.
ReplyDeleteWe've had 4 weddings to attend this summer and this certainly beats a pack of playing cards with the couple's name. Or the toy gum ball machine... or...
Well you get my drift.
I have never cared for weddings, for various reasons, none of which seem to appear in your wedding! The cranes are beautiful - I love your creativity. It was a shame to split it up, just like it's a shame when fresh cut flowers die a few days later - there is such a poignant beauty to transitory things.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! This flock of cranes will be enlivening your loved ones homes for many years. What a wonderful gift to everyone.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely flock of cranes.. thank you for sharing over on Fiber Art Now Facebook page.
ReplyDeleteCami
That is beautiful! My youngest son likes doing origami on occasion, and one time we bought some special paper from an art supply store and made a large crane with it. We hung it on the ceiling in our living room...
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