August 12th - 16:00

Title: August 12th - 16:00 Medium: Super-8 film Aspect Ratio: 4:3 Resolution: 2880 x 2160 File Type: H.264 Codec / MP4. Comments: Driving through Montana we stopped off on the side of a parkway where people were sitting in a big grassy field with lawn chairs, coolers, and umbrellas. Ethan and I were wondering what was going on since a few of the people had binoculars around their neck. I had yet shot the video of the day so I thought this would be the rightful place to meet someone and make art! At first we got a feel of the crowd on one edge of the trails. There was this elder gentleman who was acting like a kid in a candy store with his binoculars on his face aiming to the sky. I asked the old man with a boyish smile what he was looking out for. He said, The Blue Angels!!! In a cheerful tone. It instantly struck me why everyone was here drinking beers and staring patiently at the empty sky. Duh!!! There was an air show, right here, right now. I asked the man questions about the planes that were being flown today, and he said his grandson was one of the pilots flying for the show and was damn proud of him too. I asked if he would be the person I can photography for the day to be included in the art project, but I don't think he quite understood what I was asking him so he got a bit nervous and politely rejected me and redirected his attention back to awaiting for the big blue birds to be arriving in the sky soon. I chuckled to Ethan and we walked to the other trail on the opposite side of the entrance of the parking lot where people were tailgating with their big dogs. Further in, These two hilarious women, Sue & Debbie, and their sad daughter approached us asking if we wanted a beer. I politely declined since I don't drink and asked if they would like to be in my art project while sparking up a joint. Debbie said, Fuck yeah! Once I started shooting the film a loud burst shocked waved and shook the ground into our ear drums. A powerful vibration across the land struck like a thunder clap. The blue angels had flown over us as I was shooting Sue & Debbie! It was perfect timing; the air show started the second I held the shutter down. The 7 Blue Angels in the sky in tight formation without error. Maneuvering in different strike patterns along with tricky barrel rolls and stalls. At one point half the crew flew upside down and the other half of the squadron flew right side up hovering above them only inches away. These pilots were elite experts in flying. Sue and Debbie were playful and laughing, making jokes with us the entire time we watched the air show with them. They were pretty hammered at this point in the show, and we were terrifically stoned. It was good ol' fun getting fucked up with them and seeing the angels disappear above into the heavens; one of the greatest aviation performances that middle America blessed us with a show and friendship. Thank goodness we stumbled into the theater of flight in the middle of nowhere. Being there felt like the right place, at the right time, with the right people.