RUPA Insider: Interest Meeting
The 1000 Cranes Project was new for RUPA this year. We were in the process of coming up with ideas for a huge art installation for the Rutgers community to enjoy, but the moment the idea of cranes came up, we knew this could reach far beyond the walls of this community.
The idea behind the crane stemmed from the ancient Japanese tradition of Senbazuru which promises that a group who folds 1000 cranes will be granted one wish. Automatically we knew we wanted to partner up with Rutgers Dance Marathon to showcase our art installation and we knew we wanted to reach out the communities here at Rutgers to make this one wish come true.
During the weeks leading up to Dance Marathon we held four tabling events in different student centers to help us reach our goal of 1000. Those who stopped by were able to write their own messages of hope before they folded their crane and while no one else would see what they wrote, we knew each crane was made with care. We were able to make about 650 cranes thanks to all of the students who passed by and RUPA’s wonderful council members who had the patients to learn this beautiful art.
The cranes that were made were showcased in the Children’s Gallery at Dance Marathon. It was absolutely beautiful to watch people stop by and enjoy the art installation and warmed my heart to see families in the Embrace Kids program take photos in front of it. Dancers and guest who stopped by were able to add a crane to the art installation and I am proud to say that we were able to reach our 1000 by the end of the marathon!
RUPA’s one wish was to end all childhood cancers and other serious disorders. After the marathon wrapped up we donated all of our cranes to the non-profit organization Cranes for Cancer (http://cranesforcancer.blogspot.com/) in hopes that these cranes may grant another person a wish.
— Nicole Chen, Assistant Director of Arts and Culture
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