Björn Hegardt Knihy

How did Tibetan monks levitate heavy boulders? What is barophobia, and who was Qamar Ali? This book transcends a mere guide or glossary, engaging with the grand themes of levitation and free fall through an artistic lens. It features scientific, artistic, and mystical examples, along with reflections and fictional stories from various authors about gravity, weightlessness, levitation, and the art of falling. This collage summarizes the authors' experiments and investigations, inviting readers on a journey that blurs the lines between fiction and reality. The narratives include instances where humans, frogs, and objects float freely through space, utilizing magic, clever tricks, advanced technology, or imaginative methods. Bjørn Hegardt and Theo Ågren, partners for over twenty years, share a fascination with exploring natural and mythical phenomena. Their work often captures frozen moments in everyday life, showcasing objects that seem to possess a life of their own. A recurring theme in their art is the defiance of gravity through various tricks, leading to unique site-specific installations. Recently, they have engaged in an artistic research project titled “A Study of Free Fall & Levitation,” which examines how these phenomena can manifest, while also addressing the notion of failure—moments when everything collapses.

FUKT Magazine is a Berlin-based magazine for contemporary drawing, beautifully designed with a focus on the visual. All without ads, and published yearly, the publication is inviting the most interesting and adventurous international artists and writers to publish their images and views on contemporary drawing practice. FUKT is in constant transformation with issues in different sizes and layouts. With contributions by Walter Sutin (US), Ulrike Mohr (DE), Sissel Fredriksen (NO), Selina Reber (CH), Rirkrit Tiravanija, Maria Calandra (US), Marcel Dzama/Lines & Marks (CA), Louise Bourgeois (US/FR), and Abu Bakarr Mansaray (SL) among others.