TABLE OF CONTENTS

AUGUST 2014

• From the Editors
• Correspondence
• Contributors
• Babu Khan, Kitemaster, R.I.P. AJAY PRAKASH
• The Magic of 4,000 Kite-Like Objects ALI FUJINO
• Kite Books You Might Have Missed SCOTT SKINNER
• Power Kiting: the Adventure JOE HADZICKI
• Kite Piece STEPHEN HOSKINS
• Words About the 30th International Kitefliers’ Meeting, Fanoe, Denmark SCOTT SKINNER

FROM THE EDITORS

I hopped on an airplane the other day and pulled out my “travel book,” On Paper, and the guy next to me (my age) exclaimed, “A BOOK!” Indeed, as we speed into the digital age, actually carrying a book has become passé and feeling like a dinosaur has become more acceptable. But On Paper is one of a number of relatively new books that I think belong in anyone’s kite l ibrary. My contribution to this issue of Discourse is to point out a few books that I’ve come across and ask readers what they might have read recently to add to the list.

Drachen Foundation board member Joe Hadzicki weighs in on tips for the novice kite traction enthusiast. Joe has experienced every part of the kite traction scene and brings his unique perspective to the reader. Joe’s heavy- duty Rev models, the Blast and Super Blast, are exceptional traction kites that are often overlooked until you see their exceptional upwind capabilities. Fellow board member Ali Fujino relates her visit to Jacob Hashimoto’s “Gas Giant” installation at Los Angeles’ Museum of Contemporary Art. Hashimoto’s work is on a scale few of us can imagine and his kite-like objects create fascinating environments unlike any other.

Artist Stephen Hoskins was brought to my attention by the fabulous printers at Saltgrass Printmakers in Salt Lake City, UT. His work, based upon a variety of printing techniques, has gone to new frontiers as he uses 3D printing for fittings and laser cutting for sails, among other leading edge techniques. His high-tech approach has not adversely affected the artistry and beauty of his creations; they are unique, thoughtful, and inspiring.

Finally, an old friend of Drachen, Ajay Prakash, presents a personal remembrance of Indian kite master Babu Khan. I often think that the art of an Indian kite is that it is fashioned by two simple sticks and a bold-but-simple paper sail – both made perfectly so fl ight performance is optimal. With Babu Khan’s kites, however, the additional mastery of sail decoration takes his kites to a very special place in today’s world kite scene.

In a world where a marvelous “Toothless” kite flies under the Tower Bridge in London (www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VMPc0i7cVw), and a “High” kite is marketed for $400 for its flier to express his or her pro-marijuana stance (www.vimeo.com/92769210), I hope this issue of Discourse is one that convinces you all of the special nature of our passion.

Scott Skinner, Board President, Drachen Foundation

CORRESPONDENCE

Thanks for publishing the article about the Boston Kite Festival. It is always exciting to see past events highlighted. However, I fear Clara has been “out of the loop.” The Boston Kite Festival was still a great Franklin Park event in the 1990s though the venue was smaller than the golf course site of the 1970s and 1980s. The city stopped hosting the event in the 2000s after experimenting with moving it to Millennium Park in West Roxbury.

The Boston Kite Festival at Franklin Park was revived 4 years ago by a combined group of the Franklin Park Coalition, Discover Roxbury, Boston Bikes, and Boston Parks & Rec: www.franklinparkcoalition.org/event/ kite-festival. Kites Over New England (www.kone.org) participates along with the Blue Hill Observatory Science Center (www.bluehill.org). There are kitemaking workshops prior to the event and thousands of kites fly on the Playstead Field.

I hope Clara can join in on Saturday May 17, 2014 and celebrate the sky spectacular which she started 45 years ago.

DON MCCASLAND, PRESIDENT, KITES OVER NEW ENGLAND; PROGRAM DIRECTOR, BLUE HILL OBSERVATORY SCIENCE CENTER

I am so pleased to hear that the Kite Festival has been revived!

CLARA WAINWRIGHT, ORGANIZER OF THE FIRST GREAT BOSTON KITE FESTIVAL IN 1969

Beautiful beautiful issue of Discourse – you guys never cease to amaze me.

WHITNEY RICHARDSON USA

Another great collection of articles. GARY HINZE, USA

I am very happy with the publication of my article in Discourse and I would like to thank the whole team and Scott Skinner for his kind introduction, especially because new friends and builders have written to me after reading it, opening new horizons on kite building.

PROF. MARIA ELENA GARCÍA AUTINO, Argentina