This summer, Mathgoth Gallerie in Paris, France commissioned Mademoiselle Maurice to apply her infamous urban origami skills to a condemned Parisienne apartment building that’s soon to be demolished. Their collective goal was to pay tribute to the building’s residents, who will lose their homes as a result of the demolition. At the same time, they hoped that the installation would draw attention to the issue of displacement as a result of gentrification. Mademoiselle Maurice folded innumerable little paper birds and attached them to the building as thought they’re flying away.
Origami depicting the movement of the moon
Instead of just scattering the birds across the surface of the building where it faces the public street, however, the artist decided to take the installation to the next level visually while simultaneously giving the whole thing a deeper meaning. Rather than being randomly placed, the paper birds are arranged in a pattern that depicts the movement of the moon throughout the lunar cycle. This speaks to the way urban planning and city development also goes through cycles from generation to generation, just like the moon. Buildings that were once shiny and new might, in a few decades, be deemed unworthy of upkeep and demolished, no matter how important they are to a small group of people. The bright, vibrant colours of the paper birds serve a purpose within the installation as well. They remind us that we need to consider the lives of those affected and help them continue to thrive or work towards a bright future after their displacement, rather than falling victim to homelessness or poverty as a result of rising rates in things like building condemnation. If you’d like to see more of Mademoiselle Maurice’s gorgeous, meaningful urban origami and street level art, check her our on Facebook and Instagram or browse her website!
