News / coronavirus
Kites flown to remember loved ones lost to Covid
Families gathered on the Downs to fly kites featuring a photo of a loved one lost to Covid.
The memorial event, called Ascension, was organised by artist Luke Jarram, with black and white portraits sewn onto specially-made kites.
The kites were flown near the Sea Walls on the fourth anniversary of the UK’s first lockdown.
is needed now More than ever
Portraits were sewn onto specially-made kites
Artist Luke Jerram was behind the memorial event
Kites were flown on the Downs near the Sea Walls
Families and friends gathered to remember lost loved ones
Jerram said: “There’s something wonderful about flying kites. It’s a way to connect the ground, to the sky.
“Most cultures around the world, have a spiritual connection to the sky. The sky often represents transcendence, infinity, eternity, location of heaven and the residence of the gods.
“For this arts project, each kite line physically and symbolically connects the participant flying the kite with the person represented on it.
“Like neural pathways, the act of holding the line can compared to the way we hold onto memories of the individuals we have lost.”
All photos: Rob Browne
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
