This off-site project by British artist Roger Hiorns involved the ceremonial burial of a MiG-21 military aircraft. The happening references land art traditions and the revision of rituals in a globalized society, juxtaposing human ambition for flight with the finality of existence.
The 'Happening Roger Hiorns: Pohřbení letadla' (Plane Burial) was an off-site project by British artist Roger Hiorns, created to mark the 100th exhibition of Galerie Rudolfinum since its founding in 1994. Hiorns's work involved the ceremonial act of burying a MiG-21 military aircraft. This project draws parallels with the traditions of land art while also exploring the phenomenon of revisiting traditional rituals within a globalized society. The concept confronts humanity's enduring desire to fly, manifested in powerful machines built to assert dominance and represent the triumph of enlightenment and progress, with the inevitable human condition of mortality. It's described as a silent farewell, a silent triumph in a dystopian landscape, and a lapidary sculptural happening with a socio-critical undertone. The idea encompasses the burial of multiple aircraft of different types in various global contexts.
Roger Hiorns, a Turner Prize finalist in 2009, is known for his works that question the squandering of human potential and energy, and the manipulation of individuals by authorities, while consistently seeking new forms of artistic expression. For this project, a specific MiG-21 MF aircraft, manufactured in 1971 and retired from service in 1996, was used. The burial took place on the grounds of ELI Beamlines, a cutting-edge laser research facility in Dolní Břežany, a location chosen for its blend of historical depth and contemporary scientific ambition. Experts ensured the aircraft was decontaminated and conserved to prevent any environmental hazards.