A Festive Tradition Unfolds in New York
A beloved festive tradition has made its triumphant return to Manhattan, but it's not the one you might first imagine. While the Rockefeller Center spruce prepares for its grand lighting, another iconic holiday display has already opened its doors to the public. The Origami Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural History welcomed visitors from Monday, 20th November, continuing a cherished custom that has delighted crowds for over four decades.
Thousands of Hand-Folded Creations
This colourful, 13-foot (4-metre) artificial tree is a spectacular sight, adorned with an estimated 2,000 to 3,000 intricate origami ornaments. Each piece is meticulously hand-folded by origami artists and volunteers from across the globe. The co-designer, Rosalind Joyce, noted the tree is so densely packed with artwork that an exact count is a challenge. The decorations represent a vibrant menagerie, including foxes, cranes, turtles, bats, sharks, elephants, giraffes, and monkeys.
The creation of these paper artworks is a labour of love. Volunteers from around the world are enlisted to make hundreds of new models each year. While generally crafted from a single sheet of paper, some of the more complex designs can take days or even weeks to perfect. The new pieces are complemented by a curated archive from previous seasons, including a remarkable 40-year-old pterosaur model from one of the museum's very first origami trees in the 1970s.
A Theme of 'New Beginnings'
This year's tree draws its inspiration directly from the museum's new exhibition, "Impact: The End of the Age of Dinosaurs." The tree's theme, conceived by co-designer Talo Kawasaki, is "New Beginnings." This concept reflects the new world that emerged after the asteroid-triggered mass extinction 66 million years ago. Perched at the very top of the tree is a golden, flaming asteroid, a direct nod to this celestial event.
Kawasaki explained the thoughtful approach behind the theme, stating the focus was not solely on the demise of the dinosaurs but on the new life it fostered. The expansion and evolution of mammals, which ultimately led to humanity, is celebrated through the intricate paper forms. Alongside the modern animals, favourites from the dinosaur era like the triceratops and tyrannosaurus rex are also featured in folded paper, creating a unique bridge between prehistoric life and the present day.
Located near the museum's Central Park West entrance, the Origami Holiday Tree stands as a testament to creativity and international collaboration. It remains a highlight of New York's cultural calendar, offering a unique and intellectually stimulating alternative to the city's other famous festive displays.
