Lift

An aviation artifact of writing, design, and photography.

New work in progress.

“I’m staring at an image generated by AI. It’s an airplane, sort of, but it’s also nothing in particular. I’m trying to make meaning of it. I can’t. I wonder if that might be the meaning.”

In aerodynamics, there are four forces of flight.

These forces are also the sections of Lift—a curious, collaborative, lovingly designed book that looks everywhere in aviation history for the stories that lift us up, propel us—and tug us back to earth.

“January. The Pacific broods.

Forever, as far as humans are concerned, this ocean has been here, advancing and retreating against the bone-colored sand. This morning I’m watching it through forceful rain, digging in against the wind to stay upright. Everyone else is gone. Even the gulls are more sensible and have left.

I’m visiting the Oregon coast to see an artifact that is beyond the reach of the Pacific. But it never would have existed without the ocean and the fact that there were enemies on the other side.”