Tomás Saraceno's Aerocene balloon lifts off at Ruinart's 300th anniversary

The Argentine artist Tomás Saraceno unveiled his Aerocene balloon at Maison Ruinart in Reims, France, as part of the champagne house's preparations for its 300th anniversary in 2029. This patented areostatic sculpture operates on renewable energy and creates a visible path through an augmented reality application. Invited by Ruinart to create a permanent installation, Saraceno, who founded the Aerocene Foundation, is engaged in an annual series of commissions. He emphasized his environmentally conscious upbringing, the critical need to transition to the Aerocene, and expressed concerns about greenwashing while acknowledging positive sustainability movements. Additionally, he reflected on the environmental effects of the COVID-19 lockdown and discussed collaborations with indigenous communities in Argentina regarding the impact of lithium mining on water resources.