Massive Origami Crane Sculpture -- A Gift From Children Around the World -- Unveiled In Sendai

Sculpture made from 100,000 of the 2 million cranes folded during "Paper Cranes for Japan" campaign

SEATTLE, Jan. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, a massive sculpture will be unveiled in Japan's Sendai Train Station created from 100,000 paper cranes folded by children worldwide after the devastating March 2011 earthquake and tsunami—a sampling of the over 2 million cranes mailed in during the Paper Cranes for Japan campaign. The sculpture is the centerpiece of a three-day public event Jan. 13 – 15 called "Gift by Gift for a Better World," featuring interactive workshops with several area schools.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120113/DC35908)

This is the latest chapter for DoSomething.org and Students Rebuild's Paper Cranes for Japan campaign, a worldwide movement that has mobilized thousands of young people in more than 38 countries and all 50 U.S. states, and raised $500,000 in matching funds for rebuilding projects in the Tohoku region. Last fall, acclaimed artist Vik Muniz donated his time and ingenuity to the effort through the creation of a massive visual piece using thousands of the cranes, which was chronicled in a 4-minute film and featured in the New York Times Magazine.

"Gift by Gift for a Better World" is a three-day public event Jan. 13 – 15, which takes place at Sendai Train Station in S-Pal Square. The centerpiece of the event is the public unveiling of a magnificent Paper Crane Sculpture, designed by the students at the Tohoku University of Art & Design. Utilizing 100,000 paper cranes, the sculpture will be representative of the outpouring of support from young children around the world, who folded over 2 million cranes that generated $500,000 in matching funds. The funding supports Architecture for Humanity's efforts to rebuild youth and community centers in the Tohoku region, in partnership with Japanese architects and builders.

"Architecture for Humanity's approach to reconstruction and recovery isn't just about building schools or community centers, but also about inspiring a renewed sense of community and belonging," says Hiromi Tabei, Program Coordinator for Architecture for Humanity's Tohoku Rebuilding Program. "By bringing young people together for this participatory workshop, we hope to celebrate the importance of children carrying forward the spirit of optimism imbued in the Paper Cranes for Japan challenge."

After the installation is presented at Sendai Station, young people and their families will gather to make gift boxes filled with paper cranes for their peers throughout Japan as a symbol of hope and healing.

EVENT DETAILS
When: Opening Ceremony – Friday, January 13 at 10:00 a.m.
Workshops – Friday, January 13, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. / Saturday, January 14, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. / Sunday, January 15, 10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Where:  S-Pal Square in the S-Pal Sendai near Sendai Train Station
S-Pal Sendai at 1-1-1 Chuo, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi

ABOUT PAPER CRANES FOR JAPAN
In response to the earthquake and tsunami in Japan on March 11th, Students Rebuild partnered with DoSomething.org's "Paper Cranes for Japan" campaign to inspire young people worldwide to support their Japanese peers. Together, we issued a simple challenge to kids online: Make and mail a paper crane, and trigger funding for recovery and reconstruction from the Bezos Family Foundation. The goal: 100,000 cranes, which would generate $200,000 to fund Architecture for Humanity's Tohoku reconstruction efforts. The response: An astounding 2 million cranes from young people in 38+ countries and all 50 U.S. states, inspiring a total of $500,000 for recovery and rebuilding in Japan.

ABOUT ARCHITECTURE FOR HUMANITY'S RECONSTRUCTION EFFORTS IN JAPAN
The Tohoku Rebuilding Program is a collaboration between local design and construction professionals that seeks to re-energize communities devastated by the 2011 earthquake and tsunami. The Tohoku Rebuilding Program helps local businesses and community partners recover, reopen, create jobs, and collectively provide a sustainable financial future for affected communities.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Students Rebuild Paper Cranes for Japan website: http://studentsrebuild.org/japan

Architecture for Humanity's Tohoku Rebuilding Program: http://architectureforhumanity.org/programs/tohoku-earthquake-and-tsunami-rebuilding

Paper Cranes for Japan Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/papercranesforjapan

Twitter: @studentsrebuild (Follow the event live: #pc4j)

High resolution images and video are available.

CONTACTS
Welling Savo Justin, Students Rebuild & the Bezos Family Foundation, (+1) 206-275-2048 x113 or [email protected]

SOURCE Bezos Family Foundation