Physicist and origami artist Robert Lang has recreated his signature paper sculptures after losing his home and studio to the Eaton Fires in early 2025. Lang, a former NASA laser designer who has created more than 800 origami designs, utilized an outpouring of community support and specialized materials to replace art destroyed in the wildfires.
The fire in Altadena, California, destroyed hundreds of Lang’s pieces, including a collection of complex insects and arthropods and a series of koi that had been exhibited in 15 museums. The only finished work Lang saved from the destruction was a cuckoo clock dating back to 1987. In the aftermath, members of the origami community offered books, paper, and technical assistance to help Lang resume his work.
To assist in the recovery, Richard Alexander and Michael LaFosse of Origamido Studios in Haverhill, Massachusetts, produced new handmade paper for Lang. This specific batch of paper incorporated ashes recovered from the site of Lang’s burnt studio, specifically from the area where the original koi exhibit had been stored. Lang used this material to fold new sculptures, integrating the remains of his former workspace into the new art.
The recovery effort involved a direct collaboration between Massachusetts-based papermakers and the California artist, demonstrating the logistical and material interdependence within the high-end origami market. By incorporating studio ash into new sheets of handmade paper—a process Alexander and LaFosse provided as a form of community aid—Lang was able to maintain the continuity of his "Vertical Pond" series despite the total physical loss of the previous installations.
The concrete result of this process is the "Vertical Pond III" installation, which restores a specific body of work to the public domain. Following its initial showing at Descanso Gardens earlier this year, the recreated koi are currently on display at the Mingei International Museum in San Diego. The exhibition, titled "To Catch a Fish," is scheduled to remain open through November 1, providing a definitive timeline for the completion of this recovery phase.
Lang continues to work from a temporary residence in Altadena. While he noted that his original long-term plans changed following the fire, he stated that the process of solving complex folding problems and creating new pieces remains a primary focus. The artist confirmed he intends to continue rebuilding his collection through his current makeshift workspace.