There's nothing like a shopping hangover to remind us that stuff is just stuff. This seemingly pointless performance piece examines the transient nature of purchasing goods. I parked myself on the sidewalk of a large strip mall during the Christmas shopping season. After folding origami cranes of many sizes from Christmas wrapping paper, I placed them on a Christmas tree positioned behind me. In that five hour period, many people stopped to watch. Some asked if I could wrap presents for them, and I obliged.

In our culture of consumption, we buy and we buy, but hardly need or use much. The cranes invert the meaningless piles into beautiful objects. Wrapping paper is normally used to cover purchases, but through this action it becomes an object in itself.

Thanks to Nicole Wenger for photos and assistance.