Artist Wim Tellier created a stunning image over the beach in Knokke-Heist. Together with trained surfers, he kept 30 identical kites in the air. It was a test for a larger charity project to be staged in Madagascar.
Kitesurfing enthusiasts usually allow themselves to be propelled on a board on the water by a kite in the air. ‘For the art project 30 practiced kitesurfers launched their kite into the air from a fixed position on the beach,’ says Frank Vanleenhove of Surfers Paradise in Knokke-Heist.
‘Everyone was given a starting order and they then each had to take turns at their designated spot with 10 metres between them. The kitesurfers had to try to keep their kite in the air as still as possible. That is quite difficult because the lines are 25 metres long.’
Clean drinking water in Madagascar
Artist Wim Tillier commissioned the project as a test, as he plans to keep as many as 60 kites in the air in the island of Madagascar in November. He designed the kites himself and is selling them for 1,250 euros each. Kitesurfers get a 10-day stay in Madagascar into the bargain.
Proceeds from the art project go to CWATER, a project that aims to provide potable water for local people in Madagascar using pumps. Tillier wants to be able to provide 200,000 litres of purified water as a result of his initiative. As the test in Knokke-Heist was successful, he is now full of ambition.
Tellier created stunning works of art in the jet set resort before. He once placed a large crab in front of Knokke Casino and also displayed the word ‘respect’ on the beach.