Messages in the Sky: Artistic Interventions Take Flight
Essay published in Herizons, Fall 2024 (Fight or Flight).

The public art series Eyes on Iran advocated for Iran’s removal from the UN Commission on the Status of Women. (Photo: Mahvash Mostala, “Woman Life Freedom, Flying Eyes,” 2022. Photo: Austin Paz, courtesy of Woman, Life, Freedom) 
Mahvash Mostala, “Woman Life Freedom, Flying Eyes,” 2022. Photo: Austin Paz, courtesy of Woman, Life, Freedom 
The discovery of unmarked graves at former residential schools across Canada prompted nationwide Cancel Canada Day protests under the slogan, Every Child Matters. (Photo: Aaron Hemens/Capital News, courtesy of Black Press Media) 
80 artists contributed messages that were sky-typed over sites of significance for the public art project, XMAP: In Plain Sight. Black Lives Matter co-founder, Patrisse Cullors, chose to project “Care not Cages” over LA County Jail. (Photo: Chris Mastro via Cassils/Instagram) 
Artist Kosisochukwu Nnebe created What is a Flag on Stolen Land for STAGES, a biennial offsite public exhibition series by Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art. The work was installed outside the Canadian Museum for Human Rights to challenge colonial logic. (Photo: Karen Asher) 
During an All Out for Palestine protest in Austin, a plane circled above the Texas State Capitol with the message “Save Palestine Cease Fire Now.” (Photo: Nadia Noor/X)






