Origami for Life installation comes to Brussels Royal Galleries

A new art installation featuring thousands of tiny origami structures has been created in the Saint-Hubert royal galleries in Brussels.

Artist Charles Kaisin, the creator of the Origami for Life project, has hung thousands of origami birds from the ceiling of the galleries. The birds have been created and sent in by members of the public who responded to the artist’s requests earlier in the year when he first set up the installation in the Kanal Museum - Centre Pompidou in June. For each Origami received, a donation of €5 is made to the Erasmus Foundation, helping to fund COVID-19 special care units at the Erasmus Hospital.

The hospital has appealed for donations to carry out its project to transform inpatient units into non-intensive care COVID-19 units. These units will provide dialysis, ventilatory support and later revalidations to be carried out under close supervision.

“Through social media channels and helpful media outlets, we showed tutorials how to fold these origamis,” Kaisin said. “Everyone folded with the paper they wanted, that's why we have these multi-coloured elements that we made in the shape of a house and a bird.

"The house represents confinement, but the bird says that we are still free. The bird is still a sign of freedom. Thanks to people’s efforts, we receive €5 for every origami from partner companies like Engie and others who gave money. The money we received will help finance several COVID-19 units at the Erasmus Hospital in Brussels.

“We are going through a difficult period, but we must help each other… friends, neighbours, families, and also let's prepare for the future and see what we can do better tomorrow according to the possibilities we have."