Black nylon, thread, nylon string and rotating motor
2009
Self-Made Parachute is a response to Paul Litherland’s video Force of Attraction (2003). Self-Made Parachute was commissioned by Blackwood Gallery for the exhibition Fall Out, curated by Christof Migone. Paul is not afraid of skydiving. His sense of confidence and humour is very clear despite the risks inherent in the situation Watching Paul’s video Force of Attraction, I could not avoid thinking about what could have gone wrong. The Self-Made Parachute is a symbol of negative possibilities. It is a reminder of doubt, anxiety, contradiction, and fear in the face of risk. People asked, “You are not going to use it, are you?” The idea of a do-it-yourself parachute is unpopular.