doug aitken + designboom embark on an intimate video journey

in these unpredictable times that COVID-19 has provoked on a global scale, creation has the power to shift perspectives and illuminate the present moment. the work of artist doug aitken — who recently shared a message of hope with our readers — centers around these notions of experience, journey, and changing landscapes, questioning how we ‘navigate a world of increasing speed and transition‘.

in an exclusive, ongoing video series with designboom, shared during this uncertain climate, aitken takes us on a visual road trip through his creative process. each of the short films has been shot in a different location, and documents the artist’s diverse work — from a nomadic art installation taking the form of a 100-foot-tall reflective hot air balloon, to a permanent architecture and sound installation situated in the brazilian rainforest. aitken’s visual sojourn provokes thoughts about what it means to make art now, and raises the question — where is culture going from here? the short films form intimate reflections on modern culture, and invite viewers on a creative odyssey across landscape, artistic expression and societal currents — from wherever in the world they are experiencing this unprecedented moment in time.

in part I of the film series, aitken presents a visual encounter with ‘new horizon’ — a mirrored hot air balloon that transforms into a kinetic light sculpture in the darkness. over the course of two weeks in the summer of 2019, the sculpture traversed some of the most iconic properties of the trustees — america’s first preservation and conservation organization — touching down to create a series of happenings in diverse landscapes. these stops were complemented by a curated conversation series, with discussions ranging from changing climate to the evolution of digital identity, and a dynamic line-up of emerging and celebrated musicians and songwriters.

‘…if art can create a wedge in reality, then I think there’s some kind of small value in that,’ aitken says. see part I of the video journey spotlighting ‘new horizon’ above, and stay tuned as designboom continues the series across our site, and on instagram.

photo by jamie barron (also main image)
all images courtesy of doug aitken, and the trustees of reservations