The other day, while I was walking up campus, I saw an origami crane on the ground. I picked it up, noted a different fold than what I do, and took it with me.
The next day, I reversed the folds to figure out what they’d done, and just as importantly – why they’d done it. The extra fold would make it stand up easier – but was not as aesthetically pleasing.
It was weird to see this so familiar- and significantly different- version of something I’ve done literally thousands of times. (And can do one handed or with my eyes closed – but not both.)
Today, while cutting though a building on campus, I saw a half-finished bird module on the ground. From that point, I could have turned that into a bird, a dragon, or a flower.
And though I’m known for leaving these little treasures where-ever I go – these weren’t mine. So, someone else on campus is a folder – and I have no idea who.
This may be the first time in my life I’ve actually considered littering. Making a bunch of cranes with messages and leaving them to the wind. Would they catch the eye of my fellow folder – just as their creations caught mine? Could I make a connection? What would I say?
Feels a little magical – a communication through art and chance and wind. Like a message in a bottle – only less certain even than that.
I’ll need to give this some thought, but I’m intrigued.