Origami Holiday Tree at the American Museum of Natural History in New York

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From November 19, 2018 until January 13, 2019 - the decorated Origami Holiday Tree and two merrily lit 19-foot Holiday Barosaurs welcome visitors to the American Museum of Natural History in New York for the holiday season.

The theme of this year’s 13-foot tree is Oceans of Origami, with models inspired by the Museum’s special exhibition Unseen Oceans. Attendees can expect to see angelfish, lionfish, anglers, various sharks, whales, dolphins, tangs, eels, among other treasured models.

Volunteers, including local, national, and international origami artists, fold year-round, contributing to a collection of over 1,000 models that will be displayed on the tree. Each year the 13-foot-tree features a different theme relating to the Museum’s special exhibitions or to its collections, which includes more than 34 million artifacts and specimens. Past themes have included Unfolding the Senses; Mighty and Microscopic Life; Origami Night at the Museum; Wicked, Wild, and Wonderful; Fantastic Creatures: Mythic and Real; Origami in Flight; Origami A to Z; and Origami Safari. During the holiday season, volunteers will be on hand to teach visitors of all ages origami, the art of paper folding.

The two Holiday Barosaurs, which greet visitors to the Museum on the front steps throughout the holiday season, are made of openwork stainless steel and festooned with pine boughs and lights. The figures are illuminated at night.