It is becoming more apparent that QR codes are not exclusive to the business world. Several hundred origami cranes and paper cubes were found to adorn the trees in the courtyard of the Denver Art Museum in Denver, Colorado. In what is being called a “guerilla art installation,” each of these paper displays features a QR code. When scanned, the codes would resolve to the American Red Cross website, encouraging viewers to make donations to aid the victims of the recent tsunami disaster in Japan.
The display was taken down only hours after it appeared. Museum officials dubbed it as unauthorized work and instructed workers to remove hundreds of cranes and cubes from the trees.
Talia Kauk, a student at the Art Institute of Colorado, is responsible for the work. The effort has drawn critique from colleagues and faculty at the institute, but seemed to be a hit with visitors and passersby. Streamers accompanied the cubes, telling people how to scan the codes and where they could find appropriate applications. For those without smart phones, additional text filaments were provided to let people know what they can do to help with disaster relief in Japan.
Kauk cites an old Japanese tradition as her inspiration. According to tradition, anyone who folds 1,000 paper cranes is granted a single wish. The cranes are often hung in clusters called Senbazuru and presented as gifts to those in need of good fortune.