To All of Us Who Have Been Affected by COVID-19,

My intention for creating the Memorial Crane Project is to commemorate those individuals lost to Covid and to bring inclusion, awareness and support to those impacted by this loss. I chose the Japanese Origami Crane because I was inspired by its historical symbol. The tradition that if anyone folds 1,000 cranes, their wish will be granted with eternal good luck, good health, peace, safety, and safe travels into the next life. I felt it was truly a fitting symbol for this memorial project, and the perfect way to mark this time in our history. I was also moved by the story of the young girl Sadako Sasaki, who folded 1,000 origami cranes before her death from exposure to radiation after the US nuclear bombing of Hiroshima, Japan. Sadako inspired the greater symbol for the origami Cranes by her prayer of healing and wishes of peace on earth. Folding Origami Cranes has helped me process and contemplate the volume of the Souls we were losing from this Pandemic. 

On May 14, 2020 the number ticked up to 88,000 deaths. It shocked me as I did the math to figure out how long it would take me to fold a crane for each of these lost souls. It would have taken me approximately 24 years! I decided to invite people from my community to help me recognize and honor these loved ones lost. I started receiving packages in the mail daily! In my art Gallery, I created an installation of close to 7,500 cranes suspended from copper wires, creating a maze that invites visitors to contemplate those that we have lost, as they move through the installation. I chose copper as the material for the suspended armature because copper wires are what bring light into our lives and homes, and these Souls have brought much Light into our lives as well. 

Since the first Memorial Crane Project installation I have received national, and international publicity. This exposure continues to bring even more cranes, more names of loved ones lost, and more stories commemorating these lost loved ones. Today as the numbers exceed 651,000 in the United States alone, I have received over 150,000 Cranes, 2,000 names and numerous stories as well, which is accessible on my website www.memorialcraneproject.org. 

Through the Memorial Crane Project collaboration, we are able to witness and reflect on our infinite points of connection. This interconnecting energy, redefining, transforming, and evolving our grief, our feelings of separation, isolation and helplessness into compassion and a greater understanding of our common humanness, united with a growing respect for one other. 

My goal is to eventually create Memorial Crane Project installations or “Chapters” in each US state to commemorate each individual from each state as a means to mourn and heal collectively, as a Nation united in Love, Respect and Spirit. 

"You are not a single drop in the ocean, you are the entire ocean in one single drop." - Rumi

Sincerely,

Karla Funderburk

Memorial Crane Project, Inc. CEO

Matter Studio Gallery, Owner