A reflective hot air balloon is coming to Massachusetts this summer
“It’s quite a project.”
Those with a love of hot air balloons will be thrilled to know one will be floating above various scenic places throughout the state this summer. But this particular balloon won’t have the bright colors and patterns of its peers — it will reflect the picturesque landscapes back at its visitors.In a string of events dubbed “New Horizon,” slated for July, the Trustees of Reservations and the organization’s guest curator, Pedro Alonzo, teamed up with artist Doug Aitken.Between July 12-28, the reflective hot air balloon with its traditional basket beneath it for passengers will travel to seven of the properties the organization maintains. Its journey will begin at Long Point Wildlife Refuge on Martha’s Vineyard, then on to The Farm Institute in Edgartown, Holmes Reservation in Plymouth, DeCordova Sculpture Park and Museum in Lincoln, Castle Hill on the Crane Estate in Ipswich, Naumkeag in Stockbridge, and Field Farm in Williamstown, according to the event website.At each location, different events are planned, including talks about the future of the climate, culture, and other issues, paired with musical performances. At night, the balloon will transform from a gigantic mirror into a light spectacle — it’s equipped with its own lighting system.
A rendering of the reflective hot air balloon.
“Right now there’s a lot of apprehension about the future, there’s a lot of concern about the future — climate change, technology, politics,” Alonzo said in a phone interview with Boston.com. “Humanity is facing some big challenges, right, and the only way to address these challenges is to work together.”
Including talks about the future was something that came together in conversations with Aitken, Alonzo said. Massachusetts comes with its storied past, heroes, and legends, but Aitken said he wanted those visiting New Horizon to think about what’s ahead.
“What we’re doing here is kind of an interesting metaphor, to think about this balloon that will take us up to give us a different perspective and help us look out onto the horizon and see what’s coming in the future,” Alonzo said. “And I think that’s a really important discussion to have right now, and I think it’s the kind of thing people want to talk about and learn more.”
With food trucks and Notch Brewing’s Traveling Biergarten onsite, most of the upcoming evenings will feature a “very candid” conversation, according to Alonzo. Each session tackles some aspect of the future, whether it be identity, collaboration, or culture. A July 20 talk on the future of information, he points out, will be led by MIT Technology Review editor-in-chief Gideon Lichfield. After sunset, a selection of musical guests will perform against the open-air backdrop. The lineup includes Mac DeMarco on July 19, Julie Byrne on July 20, and Moses Sumney on July 21.
For the past few years, the trustees with Alonzo have worked to bring new art experiences to its sites, like the TunnelTeller by Alicja Kwade at the Crane Estate, or a project by Sam Durant at the Old Manse in Concord.
Alonzo called this latest endeavor “the most ambitious.”
“It’s quite a project,” he said.
A rendering of the reflective hot air balloon.
