Air-Port-Cities is what the Argentinian Saraceno calls his floating balloon works. With a metaphorical and lyrical approach to such serious topics as overpopulation, environmental issues and national restrictions on individuals’ freedom of movement, Saraceno seeks to create a synergy between the classic polar opposites – culture and nature. Saraceno is an architect by training and architectural perspectives impact upon his artistic practice, where his primary interest is the creation of new human habitats. This is where the sky comes in. For Saraceno the sky, the air, has both symbolic and actual potential as a future habitat for human beings. The sky is free, pure space – not subject to national laws and rules. Indeed, Saraceno sees the clouds as a symbol of possible future cities. When clouds migrate, coalescing and then breaking up into new forms, they become emblematic of the possible dissolution of one of the defining features of life on earth – national boundaries. It is this image that has nurtured Saraceno’s vision of floating, eternally mutable cities. But in fact, it amounts to more than utopia and symbolism. Saraceno has patented a pioneering application of the substance Aerogel, which is a mixture of helium, hydrogen, and other gases. The gas is lighter than air, and solar energy powered aircraft are already using it. Obviously, then, Saraceno’s project is a fleshed-out futuristic vision, which his Air-Port-Cities gives symbolic form. Saraceno’s work for Karriere is a collection of shiny, helium-filled silvery balloons (nods to Andy Warhol and to solar collectors here) that have been fitted with a webcam and two propellers. At five-second intervals, the camera will send images to Karriere’s website. As they float around in the physical realm the room the balloons will move in a different direction whenever the door is opened and a gust of wind comes in, or a visitor gives them a wallop. The piece will be time-limited (due to the short life of the helium in the balloons) and will only be launched on special occasions. (MKT)
Tomas Saraceno, born 1973, Argentina