Literature

Unnoticed World Record. How it has happened.

September 27, 2012, the first day of the International Air and Space Fair "Aviasvit-XXI" was a day of the world event, unfortunately unnoticed and barely highlighted by local media. For the first time in the human history, the only biggest aircraft in the world AN-225 "Mriya" raised a gallery of paintings to a height of 10,150 meters. 500 different styles artworks of 120 artists from different religious and political beliefs from all over Ukraine took off into the clouds united by our common Homeland without politics and politicians. Not at once, and with considerable difficulties GUINNESS WORLD RECORD was set and filmed by GUINNESS WORLD RECORD Adjudicator- Mr. Jack B Brockbank. Joint project of aviation and culure of Antonov Company and Kiev Gallery "Globus" opened a new chapter in GUINNESS WORLD RECORD. Maybe because everything was "new" and "for the first time" there were so many difficulties and intractable problems that it can be called God's miracle. Yes, it was the God's miracle - the record was not about to be set.

Everything began 10 years ago with an idea.

Recently, Mr Dmytro Kiva - President, General Designer of the State Enterprise Antonov Company, Hero of Ukraine, has asked me the same question as ex-president of the Antonov Company Peter Balabuyev had asked me 10 years ago.

- Who came up with the idea of an exhibition in the sky?

That’s the story. There are moments of truth when even atheists are turning to God with all the words came into their hearts at the very moment. It is a personal fervent prayer to the Almighty. It happened to me. It would be wrong to say that it was my idea - it was given from above. Literally! I really wanted to show true artists to the world. Not the installations or innuendo, not expressive daub! I just wanted to show Painting. Talent is given to people by the Creator, He takes care of these people, and then He’ll ask them. And God has not deprived Ukraine of the talent. Very few people know that Ukraine was the only republic of the Soviet Union where it was forbidden to sell artworks to non-members of the Union of Artists, and their number was strictly limited to three thousand people. There was a special reason. Ukraine was a place for All-Union Art schools and colleges. These schools have trained (and actually are still training) a lot of artist of various disciplines, so young professionals were leaving for destinations around the Soviet Union. During Perestroika thousands of talented people came back home. It was considered that we were so far behind the West but in this kind of activity we were ahead. Soon the interventions of ersatz art came here to destroy our school. Talent is given to people by the Creator, He takes care of these people, and then He’ll ask them. And then came the chance to pay attention to the uniqueness of our school of painting.

So, then, 10 years ago, we started to arrange a record attempt at the Bourget Air Show in France. Political earthquake has broken our plans. Everything was postponed for an indefinite time. As the years were passing I turned to various officials. But cannot reach the top. And those ones in between do not want to make an effort to help. The indifference of bureaucrats in any country is an impenetrable wall. However, as it is said, "Knock and the door will be opened to you”. It turned out that Antonov Company has not forgotten about the idea as well. So, apparently Mr Alexander Kiva the Vice President of Antonov Company came to the gallery to talk. He looked through the exposition and proposed to set a plan on a paper. And suddenly, the process has begun. Events were moving rapidly. Overseas air shows were far away and more expensive and the next air show was just about to take place in Ukraine. Of course, international air show would have given greater resonance, but as it is said: " Cut your coat to suit your cloth“. We were lack of time and had to do a lot. No one has ever done anything like this before. No advises. As it is said - from a scratch. Antonov is a huge company. Departments, divisions, services. Everyone has his own protocol and instructions. How to do everything right? How to avoid such a unique event failure? How to mount paintings? Where to get the money? And so on. Load length of AN-225 - 43 meters, height - 4,40 m, width - 6.4 meters. Good space. Possibility to exhibit on both sides of more than 80 meters. There is something to think about. Thanks to Antonov Company staff. They have designed and built unique attachments. Exhibit walls were installed in one day. Paintings were hung in one night. Miracle!

But our funds were limited. Today it is difficult to do anything without money. We didn’t have enough. For two months we were asking different organizations and just rich people to invest, but useless. Whether the election prevented or they did not see personal profit, or maybe we were taken for cheaters, but no one wanted to assist. Only Ukraine International Airlines and the Shopping Mall “Globus” had helped. UIA provided the Adjudicator with return flight from London to the Event. Authorities of the Shopping Mall “Globus” had significantly reduced the rent for September. In brief, we’ve spent all that we had and took a loan in addition. Thanks to those who believed in us.

London office of Guinness World Records embraced the idea with unexpected enthusiasm. It turned out that such event is a new chapter of Guinness World Records. The leading Adjudicator Mr Jack B Brockbank was going to come for two days to verify the Record Attempt, although his annual schedule was really busy. We met him at the Borispol airport on September 26 and he left in the morning of September 28.

It was the day of the air show. The airport of Gostomel was full of people. An-225 smoothly took off and soon was joined by escort of four fighters pilot group "Rus". I never thought such a large object can be so graceful. Air battleship waltzed over the airport with ease and confidence. At the end the escort stretched smoke trails of the national flag of Ukraine colours. We were so proud for our country, for Antonov Company, for our artists that would fly together with the plane. But the celebration was over once landed a flying gallery. The Adjudicator did not consider the demonstration flight as a successful record attempt. Disappointment and frustration. The plane was opened to the public. There were a lot of journalists, international and Ukrainian cameramen. Everyone wanted to know what was happening. At this time, a large delegation from Antonov Company arrived , headed by the President, the Chief Designer of the State Enterprise Antonov Company – Mr Dmytro Kiva and representatives of the Cabinet of Ministers. The Adjudicator described his vision of the situation directly to them. The opinion of the Adjudicator was based on a fact that since the record was brand new and was opening a new chapter in the book, it should be unbreakable for a long time. The Adjudicator claimed the altitude not less than eight thousand meters and ten independent witnesses on board. Repeated, unplanned flight in one day was impossible, it was clear. And then another miracle had happened. The feat of management. It turned out that in extreme situation in Ukraine we are able to make difficult decisions and take responsibility. New flight did take place. There were no problems with witnesses - everyone was willing to help. Especially Mr. Bernd Sturm, the representative of «Lufthansa». He was very emotional and said that it was the happiest day in his life. We ourselves did not believe that were taking part in the historical event of art and aviation.

So, the first pilot of the An-225 Dmitry Antonov raised the plane. The Adjudicator filmed the altimeter. In a quarter of an hour "Mriya" reached the mark of ten thousand meters. Unusual record was set.

Everything happened so quickly and casually. After a long way it seemed so unreal. Applauses of witnesses, Adjudicator Jack B Brockbank’s speech, awarding the certificate and the whole celebration - behind the clouds.

For the first time in the human history art gallery soared into the sky. Thanks to the pilots, designers, engineers, workers, testers, technical and artists. Thanks to all master-hands and-heads of Ukraine. God grants it was not for the last time. If there are sponsors or advertisers to invest, we can repeat this creative exhibit at other air shows in other countries, or fly over the ocean. If there are ...

And finally I want to appeal to all the citizens of our country.

- Ladies and gentlemen, let us do good thing to one another and our Homeland. Stop scolding and demanding. Homeland is our mother.

Valeriy Boyko