/news/research

via Kevin

A short manifesto for those who are unaware that it is
possible to sail through the element of air. (Eilmer), 2009
In 1010, Eilmer the young Benedictine monk inspired by Abbas Ibn Firnas’ early manifesto climbed to the top of the Malmesbury Abbey with a set of handmade wings fashioned to resemble those of a jackdaw and jumped into the uplifting southwest wind becoming the first human to achieve a heavier-than-air human flight of about 200 yards. This unfortunately resulted in him crashing into a marsh and breaking both his legs. Eilmer was set to attempt the flight again with a newly made tail but due to his new popularity was later forbidden by his abbot to attempt the feat again fearing that he would take attention away from the church.

The work ‘A short manifesto for those who are unaware that it is
possible to sail through the element of air. (Eilmer)’ a projected animation places Eilmer in eternal flight upon the gallery walls away from the dangers of the abbot and far above the marshy meadows.

Adelir’s Balloons explores the story of Brazilian Roman Catholic Priest Adelir Antonio de Carli’s April 20th, 2008 cluster-balloon flight over Brazil. Adelir’s attempt to raise money for a spiritual rest stop for truckers in Paranagua and break the 19-hour record for flight using helium balloons ended in disaster. On June 20th, 2008, Adelir went missing over sea only hours after take off. Days later his balloons were found floating in the ocean and on July 4th, 2008 an ocean-going oil-rig tugboat found the remains of de Carli’s body approximately 700 miles from his launch site.
Through a recreated and reanimated scene of Adelir’s floating balloons, Adelir’s Balloons simultaneously morns and pays tribute to Father Carli and those who have attempted the risky, beautiful and escapist act of cluster-balloon flight.

View the album on facebook