1,000 Cranes

Sadako Sasaki was a Japanese girl who had developed leukemia due to the atomic bomb dropped on Japan in World War II. In the hospital she folded 1,000 cranes, wishing that she would live. Unfortunately Sadako passed away, but she has not been forgotten. She has inspired peace all around the world – in a way, tragically, she did get her wish because her story will live forever. In honor of Sadako, I folded 1,000 cranes to give to everyone. The event was called Neighborhood Nights at the Gardner Museum. After completing the cranes, the book I ordered about Sadako arrived in the mail. I opened the book and dropped it on the ground and began to shake. In Japan, August 6th is Peace Day and people from all over the world send cranes that are placed on Sadako’s grave. August 6th just happened to be date of the performance. What are the odds? A very magical moment for me. As the legend goes, one who folds 1,000 cranes gets a wish. In honor of Sadako, I wished for peace on Earth.

One thousand paper cranes folded by Joe.