28 ASCENSION

ASCENSION connects a historic moment of flight with the present inviting us to create a shared festive flying experience. The work has been inspired by the historic flight undertaken by Étienne Gaspard Robert, known as Robertson, in 1804. He took off in a hydrogen – filled balloon from Citadele Square in Riga, completing the first human-controlled flight documented in historical sources in the airspace of Latvia as it is now. The flight attracted wide public attention and the balloon could be seen from all the city.

During the “Staro Rīga” festival we will work together to send balloon into the sky. Unlike in 1804, when the balloon was powered by hydrogen, this balloon will be lifted by messages of the visitors to Latvia. These may be kind thoughts, wishes or creative ideas for the future of Latvia. The location of the installation next to the Patent Office is a symbolic reminder of the value of inventions and innovation and of the importance of their protection.

This is one of the artworks in the Ave Sol route of light. The overall concept symbolizes the transition from individual presence to collective action. In this way the festival theme unum momentum is revealed as a moment that arises between people, continues after us and gains strength when individual action becomes a shared movement.