Authors: Ben Ruhe
Date Submitted: February 28, 2006
Article Type: Journal

An art school graduate, Frank Schwiemann, of Kaarst, Germany, from the beginning made innovative kites. They were nice follow-ons to what other people had done. With his particular talent and eye, they were one step better than what had gone on before.

Schwiemann kites evolved into sleek kite-sculptures. Using Tyvek® for sail and carbon fiber for framing, his pieces were light and ephemeral, distinctly refined. He used just a single color, say yellow, to put emphasis on shape and function. His work was often exhibited at night and used in conjunction with fireworks, sometimes to dance or movement performances. The way he used them, kites took on a bigger role than is normal with kites.

Accorded equal creative status is his partner of more than a decade, Christine Swarting, whom he met at school. Also an arts diplomate, she at first helped Frank out with his flying, and stayed away from kites because she didn’t want to infringe on Frank’s work. “But I eventually decided I wanted to participate, not to be just the girlfriend,” she says. “So I started making and flying kites, too.”

PDF Link: Journal Issue