#1206: Life is a Pure Flame: Thermochromic Kirigami Lotus

In the face of today's overlapping crises — environmental, social, existential — it is easy to become preoccupied with endings. This rising tide of anxiety and death-focus can leave individuals and communities searching for meaning and comfort amidst uncertainty. In response, we seek to revive ancient traditions and reintroduce acts of communal making and letting go. Inspired by Eastern cultural traditions and Western psychological insights, and considering the current age in which origami itself is being reconceptualized as a powerful tool for scientific innovation, we envision a new kind of origami lotus—one that brings together ancient symbolism and modern technologies. By incorporating materials such as thermochromic paint, we can vividly visualize transformation and growth, turning each lotus into a living metaphor for change and renewal. For children, the project offers a cognitively engaging experience; for more mature participants, it serves as a ritual for personal reflection on life’s cycles.