Tomás Saraceno's Aerocene Pacha Balloon Flight Sets Records, Highlights Indigenous Resistance in Argentina

On January 22, 2020, in Salinas Grandes, Jujuy, Argentina, artist Tomás Saraceno unveiled Fly with Aerocene Pacha, a solar-powered balloon helmed by Leticia Marques. The sculpture achieved a distance of 1.7 kilometers in 21 minutes during the event, part of the CONNECT, BTS initiative, which set six world records. Saraceno's research spans two decades and includes partnerships with institutions such as NASA, MIT, Max Planck Institute, and the Natural History Museum in London. The project aids 33 indigenous communities impacted by lithium mining. From 2015 to 2018, investments in lithium exploration in Argentina surged by 928%. Protests at the launch highlighted the importance of water over lithium. CONNECT, BTS showcases 22 artists curated by Daehyung Lee, merging art with science and ecology.