Pneumopteria. Hovering in space

Pneumoptera, which are also known as cloud whales or cloud sponges, sometimes scientifically as pneumosponges, and in older treatises often as celestial leviathans, were gigantic, cloud-like creatures that seemed to float freely in the atmosphere without movement or propulsion. They could extend to several hundred metres.

Today, they are most likely extinct due to their proven sensitivity to anthropogenic electromagnetic radiation. In contrast, they were observed more frequently in historical times and described in many cultures and contexts. The history of the study of pneumopterans ranges from Stone Age cave drawings to the presumably last sighting in 2006 in the South Atlantic. In the past, their appearance was considered a bad omen, so they were often depicted as flying monsters. This only changed with the new image reproduction methods of modern times.

With his research, published as a book in 2023, Roland Boden provides the first comprehensive introduction to the nature, appearance and behaviour of pneumopteries and outlines the history of their research, description and reception.

Roland Boden works as an artist in Berlin, where he engages in so-called fictional research in addition to painting. In addition to numerous national and international exhibition participations, for example at the New Museum New York/USA, Manifesta Ljubljana, Ludwig Forum Aachen or at the Busan Biennale/South Korea, the artist has received numerous grants and prizes, for example from the Deutsches Museum (German Museum) Rome or the Kunstfonds Bonn, to name but a few.

Last edited on 25.10.2024