Origami Whales Project Mission Statement
Since 2004, the Origami Whale Project (OWP) has worked to raise awareness concerning the threats to cetaceans (dolphins and whales) through a stunning and memorable “Curtain of 38, 000 Origami Whales.” Created by thousands of concerned citizens across the globe and exhibited throughout the world, this large-scale public art project serves as a powerful visual statement and memorial for thousands of individual whales killed since the 1986 ban on commercial whaling. As urgent need for cetacean rights activities arise, the Origami Whales Project has expanded with additional outreach and education programs, creating “Curtains” of origami dolphins and whales in the United States, Dominica, and New Zealand.
Background
With each year Japan, Norway and Iceland increased their self-made quotas to hunt whales. According to most recent estimates, since 1986 when the International Whaling Commission (IWC) moratorium of whaling, up to 2009 Japan, Norway, and Iceland have slaughtered over 38,000 whales.
The Origami Whale Project began in Spring 2004 in response to the urgent need to raise awareness concerning the ever-increasing threat by the whaling nations towards the return of IWC sanctioned commercial whaling.
Through global public participation, a “Curtain of 30,000 Origami Whales” was completed in May 2007 as a powerful visual statement and memorial for the lives of whales reported killed since the moratorium on commercial whaling was to be in effect as of 1986. Each year “the big curtain” is updated, and to date is now a “Curtain of 38,000 Origami Whales”.
For More on the Origami Whales Project, Please Visit: www.peggy-oki.com/cu_origami.html
Peggy Oki’s Online Art Gallery: www.peggy-oki.com
