Julius von Bismarck Lightning Rockets, 2021

Lightning Rocket (2021) is a hybrid between a sculpture and an operational piece of equipment. Produced in 2021, the object is a continuation of Talking to Thunder (2016-17), Julius von Bismarck’s series of close encounters with lightning, which he pursued in Venezuela, Colombia and Norway. Designed to be launched during a thunderstorm, Blitzrakete has the ability to trigger and direct a lightning bolt. The electric current between the ground and the sky can be measured. If it is particularly high, an electrical discharge can be provoked by building a bridge, for example in the shape of a Kevlar-spun copper thread, which is shot into the sky by a small rocket. Equipped with a recovery system consisting of a parachute and 3 high-power LEDs, the rocket can be reused after each flight. The system allows the rocket to land securely and be retraced, not only on land but also on water.