Artist Cristian Marianciuc, 26, began a year-long paper crane journal on Instagram under the moniker [@icarus.mid.air][1]. Some of his cranes have taken hours to craft while others were complete in under thirty minutes. His work is inspiring thousands of people worldwide. **In an exclusive interview, Marianciuc shared his inspiration:** “”” I decided to start a daily project, first of all for myself. To be able to look back at each crane and be able to remember a particular day, something interesting that happened or how I felt, what I listened to, whom I met… “”” “”” There are two main reasons: the inspiration I found in the story of [Sadako Sasaki][2] and a sinking feeling that life was passing me by, that I wasn’t making any new memories and that I had put my creativity on a shelf. Let’s call it my ‘quarter life crisis’. “”” Though paper is but paper, Marianciuc’s handcrafted pieces transmit a genuine warmth unseen in many of our modern gadgets. **Scroll down for 12 original works of origami, all of which began in the form of a basic paper crane.** [1]: https://instagram.com/icarus.mid.air/ [2]: http://www.hiroshima-is.ac.jp/index.php?page=sadako-story
#172 superhero crane A long overdue collaboration with my good and talented friend @nikolai_makeiev. I am grateful for the superheroes in my life! Does having superhero parents make you a superhero too? I’d definitely have the power of flight! ~ ^.^ ~ (ps – I have a renewed respect for spiders…it took me ages to build that terrible looking ‘web’) #origami #paperart #superhero #spiderman #hero #1000cranes #project365 #minimal A photo posted by Cristian (@icarus.mid.air) on Jun 20, 2015 at 2:01pm PDT
#194 nautical crane In case it wasn’t clear from before…I NEED another holiday, hahaha! #origami #paperart #project365 #senbazuru #nautical #sails #ship #1000cranes A photo posted by Cristian (@icarus.mid.air) on Jul 13, 2015 at 8:32am PDT
#202 ne me quitte pas crane #origami #paperart #papercut #project365 #papercutting #senbazuru #nemequittepas #jacquesbrel #pink #1000cranes #minimal #spotlightonartists A photo posted by Cristian (@icarus.mid.air) on Jul 21, 2015 at 6:22am PDT
#206 all good things come to a beautiful end III Surgical gloves, tweezers, hedgehog needles, dead leaves, white wine #origami #paperart #project365 #beautifuldeath #senbazuru #mixedmedia #minimal #minimalism #hedgehog #1000cranes A photo posted by Cristian (@icarus.mid.air) on Jul 25, 2015 at 2:34am PDT
“”” The cranes themselves tell the story, but the setting of the photo and all the various elements I include in taking the photo are a vital part of each crane’s story. -CM “””
#232 breathe out crane uneventful day, breeze brings the scent of lime and Earl Grey from the cake sitting close to the door Dried petals painted with watercolour #origami #paperart #project365 #senbazuru #watercolor #petals #1000cranes A photo posted by Cristian (@icarus.mid.air) on Aug 20, 2015 at 2:05am PDT
#252 September smoke crane Last night, after watching the second Hobbit film again, I went outside, only to be greeted by a very familiar smell: woodfire smoke. It reminds me of going back to school, bare trees, mum’s amazing cooking… I love autumn! paper, scalpel, glue #origami #paperart #project365 #senbazuru #1000cranes #smoke #flames A photo posted by Cristian (@icarus.mid.air) on Sep 9, 2015 at 1:18am PDT
#279 come closer crane Trying hard to get over my mild trypophobia with this one. I was trying to think of a deeper meaning for today’s crane, but eventually I decided not to. Lichens are fascinating, you just need to get a closer look. And there is the deeper meaning – take time to look closely at things you otherwise overlook! ^.^ paper, glue, lichens #origami #paperart #project365 #tsuru #senbazuru #1000cranes #lichen A photo posted by Cristian (@icarus.mid.air) on Oct 6, 2015 at 4:12am PDT
#283 don’t wake me up crane In bed until 11, cooked (and ate) breakfast and lunch at the same time, not hating this grey weather. All that’s missing is a bunch of old friends, an open fireplace, hot chocolate and merriment. hole punch, tweezers, glue, tiniest brush and watercolour #origami #paperart #project365 #detailed #tsuru #senbazuru #1000cranes #mika #dontwakemeup A photo posted by Cristian (@icarus.mid.air) on Oct 10, 2015 at 6:03am PDT
“”” I could write page after page about my days, but, as an exercise in creativity, I resorted to making words secondary in this journal. Colours, textures and light would take centre stage. -CM “””
#288 wire me to your heart My room is filled with the smell of oranges and there is an almost surreal-looking light coming through the window blinds. A warm breeze outside and, in the air, the feeling that this autumn is full of good things. My face is itchy; I am growing a beard again. Listening to Finale by Para One. It reminds me of walking to uni and of my dad. citrus, warm light, kind light paper, needle, wire, tweezers #origami #paperart #project365 #tsuru #senbazuru #1000cranes #mixedmedia #paraone #wires #blvart A photo posted by Cristian (@icarus.mid.air) on Oct 15, 2015 at 5:00am PDT
#294 give me back the night crane I cannot even remember the last time I was able to lie down in bed, before falling asleep, and not be bombarded by thoughts and faces and ‘what ifs’. This crane is an eulogy for the past, and a whispered hope that I would get back my future nights. walnuts, coffee, rested Song of the day: Rubbernecker by @bellinspace #origami #paperart #project365 #tsuru #senbazuru #1000cranes #stars #olgabell #rubbernecker #craftsposure A photo posted by Cristian (@icarus.mid.air) on Oct 21, 2015 at 12:13am PDT
#295 premonition crane There is something in the air, a sense of expectation, a silent preparation for something momentous. Listening to ‘Premonitions’ by @entervaults only adds to this ominous feeling. sunny, yet violently cold dreading anniversaries, can I not just sleep through the next couple of weeks? #origami #paperart #project365 #tsuru #senbazuru #1000cranes #premonition #vaults #minimal #minimalist #craftsposure #blvart A photo posted by Cristian (@icarus.mid.air) on Oct 22, 2015 at 12:06am PDT
#304 flickers crane Woke up with a severe feeling of being out of place. Deeply touched and shaken by a poem I read last night by the talented Emily Palermo: “In the beginning we held the universe in our mouths and stardust dripped bloody from our lips. We were celestial and we were hungry and we were magic…”. (Genesis) I took the flickers from your eyes/ and placed them on the sky of my heart/ heavenly bodies collide/ they birth new galaxies/ new worlds, new light/ a cosmic embrace that lasts for aeons/ sparks fly and send new flickers/ which I will place with my mouth/ in your eyes Song of the day: For you, love by @fridasundemo #origami #paperart #project365 #tsuru #senbazuru #1000cranes #emilypalermo #poetry #boredpanda #icarusmidair A photo posted by Cristian (@icarus.mid.air) on Oct 31, 2015 at 5:06am PDT