Zeppelin : in search of a 'Cloud in a Bag'

In 2004, Antwerp was choosen to be World Book Capital, which resulted in an impressive mix of book fairs, literary events, libraries, archives and professional organisations among others. One of the ABC2004 projects - City of Letters - put the alphabet to the test. Twenty-six writer/artist tandems explored the limits and possibilities of one letter; the starting point of a new, joint work of art. Throughout 2004-2005, the various results got unveiled at major literary events in the city, in any number of forms. The twenty-six big bangs were recorded for future generations in as many cahiers: exclusive publications in which the tandems are introduced, the evolution of their creations documented and the work (plus its traces) highlighted from a variety of angles.'

Together with Ramsey Nasr, Antwerps city poet, we decided that 'Z' stands for Zeppelin.! The text and the cahier partly focussed on the traject history of Count Zeppelin, who gave his name to his life work - a flying cigar - which forever will be associated with terror and destruction. Other chapters in the cahier contained information about the pioneers of balloon flight, Lawn chair Larry and a fictious love letter from the Hindenburg. At the opening of the new library, we dressed up in our captain outfits, wearing a big white mustache as a ode to the count. The official guest speakers (among them the major of Antwerp and national minister of Culture) got asked to leave the stage and to put on a mustache, just like everybody else in the audience; making us all equal dreamers. This also got reflected in the zeppelin backpacks we created. These devices were presented as a model for everyday life zeppelin usage; in contrast to the expensive flights for the upper class a century ago. Whenever needed, turning on your backpack makes it a silent, bio-friendly mode of transportation; giving you an exquisite three dimensional freedom of movement. While presenting them a big zeppelin - carrying our logo - rose behind us; opening the new library to all the people of Antwerp.