Tomás Saraceno

Tomás Saraceno is an Argentine artist who creates pieces that explore alternative, sustainable ways of viewing and interacting with the environment. In this project, titled “Becoming Aerosolar,” Saraceno has woven together a patchwork of 20,000 plastic bags (culled from Colombia, Cuba, France, Germany, Italy, Palestine, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States), into a massive hot air balloon. Trapping the heat of the sun in a greenhouse-like effect, the plastic canvas lifts majestically into the sky, transforming stigmatized, non-biodegradable waste into a work of liberating beauty.

Exploring the creative crossover between environmentalism, history, art, and human perception, Saraceno notes how the hot air balloon “came about as a means of escape and protection in the late 18th century, during the time of the French Revolution. It is significant that during these times of uncertainty, people looked to the sky to escape the reality on earth”. As an innovation deriving from crisis and a longing for freedom, the plastic bag balloon takes on a contemporary significance: in an age of environmental turmoil, when the planet we inhabit verges on irreparable damage, the sky (and beyond that, outer space) becomes the frontier of hope. However, beyond signifying that upward glance of salvation and survival, “Becoming Aerosolar” optimistically reminds us how repurposing our materials and shifting our perspectives could lead to changing our trajectory on Earth.
He has a show opening on December 17th, 2016 at SFMoMA

Previously profiled artists in the news:

Richard Long has a show at the Judd Foundation, NYC until December 17th, 2017

Andrew Wyeth and James Wyeth are featured in an exhibition titled “Wyeth Dynasty” at the GreenVille County Museum of Art, SC until Sept. 10th, 2017

Maya Lin received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for her meritorious contributions to the arts.

Edward Burtynsky has two shows in NYC. The first, at the Bryce Wolkowitz Gallery, 505 West 24th Street, NYC and Howard Greenberg Gallery, 41 east 57th street, NYC. Both shows are on till December 31st, 2016.

Gabriel Orozco designed a garden as a permanent artwork for the South London Gallery.

Kate MccGWIRE has a show at the Weserburg, Bremen, Germany, till February 2017.