From the ashes arise origami koi

Robert Lang, a world-renowned origami artist, is facing the daunting task of rebuilding his life and art after a devastating wildfire consumed his California home and studio.

Lang, 65, who has designed over 800 origami figures and is credited with leading the art form's renaissance in the 1990s, lost hundreds of meticulously crafted pieces, including his prized origami koi and complex insect designs.

“

It's weird to say, 'I lost all my bugs,' but all my insects and arthropods, which are some of my favorites, some of the most complex, and very hard to fold.

"It's weird to say, 'I lost all my bugs,' but all my insects and arthropods, which are some of my favorites, some of the most complex, and very hard to fold," Lang told CBS News, reflecting on the loss.

The fire, which began in early 2025, destroyed everything Lang had envisioned for the next stage of his life. "Everything I had envisioned for the next stage of my life is going to be a completely different plan," he said.

“

Everything I had envisioned for the next stage of my life is going to be a completely different plan.

However, the origami community has rallied around Lang. Fellow artists Richard Alexander and Michael LaFosse of Origamido Studios are helping him recreate his masterpieces. They have even created new paper for him using ashes collected from his burnt studio, a gesture Lang described as "almost embarrassing" due to the overwhelming support.

"Origami people are not rich. And that people were willing to help in all these different ways was really moving," Lang added.

“

It was almost embarrassing that there was such an outpouring of support. 'Do you need paper? Do you need books?' Which practically brought me to tears, because origami people are not rich. And that people were willing to help in all these different ways was really moving.