Photo: Flying Pigs On Parade.org
So once upon a time, the natural reaction to the concept of Donald Trump presidency would’ve been the bit about flying pigs. Well, now that Trump is the current occupant of the White House, architect Jeffrey Roberts has launched a squadron of flying pigs to obscure Chicago’s Trump Tower – and it’s all thanks to Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters.
Flying Pigs On Parade is a concept that will see Trump’s name covered by four 30 x 15 foot golden pig balloons which will be tethered to a barge on the Chicago river.
"The art folly has been created to provide visual relief to the citizens of Chicago by interrupting the view of the ostentatious Trump Tower Chicago sign," says a statement on the Flying Pigs On Parade website. "The design follows rigorous rationale in providing layers of meaning but ultimately allows for interpretation by individual viewers."
Roberts went on to cite George Orwell’s classic satire Animal Farm as one of many influences. Justifying the concept, he continued: “Ultimately, this is a very rational design and is in direct contrast to the chaotic nature and bizarre antics of our current leadership."
The design of the pig is specifically modeled on the flying porcine that adorns the cover of Pink Floyd’s classic 1977 album, Animals. Originally conceived by Roger Waters and designed by Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey “Po” Powell of Hipgnosis, the original album cover featured a pig flying over London’s Battersea Power Station.
“Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) has given us approval to replicate the original iconic Battersea pig in gold,” the statement continues. “Since we will have invested in the balloons, we intend to deploy the folly in other cities.
“Flying Pigs on Parade is intended to first deploy in Chicago as a single day art installation. Most of the technical bits have been resolved. We are currently progressing through requirements for municipal approval, negotiating a float date in late summer.”
