David Trubridge

For Milan 2010 David Trubridge has created a new installation based on the story of Icarus, which was shown at the 'Temporary Museum for New Design', in Superstudio Piú, Zona Tortona. Last year we told the Maori story of 'The Three Baskets of Knowledge'. This year we follow that up by illustrating the dual nature of this knowledge. Who hasn't stood on a cliff-top and longed to leap off, soaring effortlessly? Flight has forever been mankind's ultimate dream. That dream is both a physical escape from the bondage of gravity, and a metaphorical liberation from the body's earthly desires. e can now fly, whether it is in a jet, a hang-glider or a squirrel suit. But has this technical achievement granted us enrichment or just adrenalin rush? We suggest that such technical advances are insufficient on their own without greater wisdom. Like Icarus, we could be carried away and fly too close to the sun, lose our wings and perish.New Zealand used to be inhabited solely by birds - there were no mammals. In Maori mythology birds are the 'Kaitiaki' the original guardians. All-seeing, they glide freely over the land keeping watch. They are the intermediaries with the sky, the heavens and the gods. We are now the guardians of our planet which is threatened by the heat of the sun. We must not lose our aspirations but use our knowledge wisely for the benefit of all. The ability to fly is not enough - it is what we do with it that matters. Borne by our wings, we can spread our knowledge for all, rather than flying off alone too high.