Arthur Mebius
Amsterdam, Netherlands

A series focused on the subject of airline advertisements from the ‘60s and ‘70’s – when air travel was glamorous, thrilling and sexy. The photographs combine hyperrealism competing with the artificial. The obvious set design forms a background for the shots that seems to have been taken a split-second before or after the perfect picture, resulting a tense, displaced moment, best described as ‘uncomfortable’. Back then, airlines would lure in more (male) customers through the promise of unparalleled satisfaction, stewardesses being little more than objects of desire. But while the photographs should say 'Fly with us and be happy', the characters’ attempts to be happy is not so convincing. But at least they’re trying.

'All look skyward at this new sight and sound; a supersonic bird'

'Changing your view of time and space and distance'

'A daughter to the middle-aged, a security to the confused, a heroine to little girls'

'... only your dreams get you there faster'

'She'll fly you like you've never been flown before'

'Globing the choices of your heart'