"The Lotus Effect" at the Rubin Museum of Art

On display at The Rubin Museum is a beautiful collection of origami lotus flowers that visitors folded themselves and dedicated to someone or something that got them through a difficult time. The lotus takes root in murky waters and bursts into a beautiful bloom above the surface, according to the museum. They are often portrayed in scroll paintings and sculptures that you can see in the museum’s collection. They usually appear in the hands of gods and goddesses, as decoration on their thrones, and as part of vivid landscapes and represent awakening, transformation and compassion. Origami artist Uttam Grandhi has provided video instructions on how to fold your own lotus that you can contribute to the installation with.