At 10 p.m. on the evening of 5 May, Liberation Day in the Netherlands, the performance art installation Franchise Freedom will fly above the River Maas in Rotterdam to celebrate our freedom.
At the initiative of artist duo DRIFT and art organisation Mothership, an impressive swarm of 300 drones will use the sky as their canvas in a flying ode to freedom and as a tribute to everyone working day and night to ensure the freedom and health of others. Franchise Freedom flies to highlight the importance of two important principles of humankind, health and freedom, and help bring us together.
Humankind is currently facing the biggest global crisis of our generation. Our individual and collective freedom have never been tested so seriously since the Second World War. Ralph Nauta, artist DRIFT: “COVID-19 makes it abundantly clear that we as people depend on each other. The future only has value if we can rebuild this, together and sustainably, based on a greater, collective interest.”
Jeroen Everaert, founder and creative leader of Mothership: “On this special Liberation Day, the whole world is in the grips of COVID-19. Especially now, Mothership wants to work together to provide a sign of hope with this artwork. Remember, Reflect and be Resilient!”
Photo © Ossip 
Photo © Ossip
Freedom
In the poetry of their performance, the 300 drones in Franchise Freedom let us see and feel what the individual movement of freedom in a group looks like. The art installation invites us to look at nature’s patterns and survival mechanisms and learn from this. Individual freedom can only be protected when the whole group works together. Franchise Freedom flies to encourage us to get through the current crisis together.
Erasmus MC
Erasmus MC is the national coordination point for all ICs in the Netherlands. All the staff here and in all the other hospitals and care institutions worldwide are working day and night for all patients. Pianist Joep Beving accompanies Franchise Freedom from Erasmus MC. Source and photos Courtesy of DRIFT.
Photo © Ossip 
Photo © Ossip Photo © Ossip 
Photo © Ossip 
Photo © Ossip 
Photo © Ossip