Luber Aloft

NEW DOCS

This stunningly photographed film captures the various works of Swiss artist Heinrich Lüber, for whom the world is a museum. Rather than set up his work—which usually involves his own body contorted into an unbelievable stance—in a gallery, he plays with the perception of public space, with onlookers becoming part of the art. Their slack-jawed gaze heightens the surreal nature of his installations, as we see him suspend himself off the side of buildings or hold an enormous bird in his mouth in a crowded subway station. The film not only captures the work and the onlookers, but also provides us with a behind-the-scenes look at the modelers and engineers who aid Lüber in developing contraptions that allow him to defy proportion, gravity, and, in some cases, comfort. We follow Lüber through dozens of works, as he stretches the limitations of the body as well as those of our own amazement.  ST

Director

Anna-Lydia Florin

Producer

Stella Händler

Editors

Paul Avondet, Ruth Schläpfer

Cinematographer

René Baumann

Original Title

Lüber in der Luft

Release Year

2007

Festival Year

2009

Country

Switzerland

Run Time

81 minutes

Premiere

US Premiere