conference Archives - Hun in the Sun

Venice Nicelli Airport

Hydroracers: The Sky Challenge Venice Nicelli Airport conference Lido di Venezia, Venezia, Italy (Sept. 2023) At the Nicelli Airport on the picturesque Lido of Venice, an event was held to celebrate Hydroracers: The Schneider Trophy Epic, a cultural project honoring the historic aviation competition. Organized by MBVision in collaboration with Nicelli Airport, the gathering attracted an enthusiastic and knowledgeable audience, including industry experts, pilots, operators, and aviation enthusiasts. The presentation of the book, co-published by the Italian Air Force and Hun in the Sun, featured speeches by prominent figures such as Gen. Basilio Di Martino, Col. Rosario D’Auria, Col. Chiadroni, Nicelli Airport Director Giacomo Zamprogno, Prof. Antonio Ventre, and George Alafinov, alongside Max Pinucci, the project’s creator. The event provided a unique opportunity to revisit the epic tale of the Schneider Trophy through a blend of visual and historical storytelling. Featured were excerpts from the book, informational panels, scale models, and multimedia materials that brought the legendary racing seaplanes of aviation’s golden age back to life. Amid the allure of historic seaplanes and the distinctive setting of Nicelli Airport—one of Italy’s oldest and most picturesque airports—the audience was immersed in the myth of the Schneider Trophy, reflecting on the connections between aviation’s past, present, and future. Gallery

Venice Nicelli Airport Read More »

RAV, Reparto Alta Velocità

conference, exhibitions / HunInTheSun

RAV: From History to the Future RAV, High Speed Department Conference Desenzano del Garda, Italy (May 2023) In the iconic historic hangars of the RAV (Reparto Alta Velocità) in Desenzano del Garda, the epicenter of Italy’s high-speed seaplane achievements, we had the honor of presenting Hydroracers: The Schneider Trophy Epic, the latest project by Hun in the Sun. The event celebrated the seaplane racing saga through a journey bridging past and present, showcasing the illustrated book, the board game inspired by the trophy, and the brand-new S.55: Wings Over the Atlantic, created in collaboration with renowned game designer Andrea Angiolino. His speech, based on the book Airships, delved into the historical evolution of airships, highlighting their technological and cultural significance. During his stay in Stockholm, Pinucci also participated in meetings with Almi Innovation and the Stockholm University of the Arts, strengthening the connection between research, art, and innovation. The conference was further enriched by the participation of Hun in the Sun, whose contribution underscored the synergy between design, creativity, and sustainability in the context of new frontiers in air transportation. Gallery

RAV, Reparto Alta Velocità Read More »

FOSAA

conference, exhibitions / HunInTheSun

The Amphibious Aviation of Tomorrow. FOSAA – Future Opportunities for Seaplanes & Amphibious Aviation Conference Hilton Molino Stucky, Venice, Italy (2023) On Wednesday, March 20, at the iconic Hilton Molino Stucky in Venice, the international event Future Opportunities for Seaplanes & Amphibious Aviation (FOSAA) took place. Organized by Quaynote Communications in collaboration with Arena Group Associates, two leading organizations in the fields of events and strategic communication for the aerospace and luxury transport industries, the event brought together experts, companies, and prominent figures from around the world to explore the future opportunities and challenges of amphibious aviation, with a particular focus on the role of seaplanes in sustainable transportation and tourism. During the sessions, the potential of these extraordinary machines to connect remote destinations was discussed, with a focus on technological innovation, sustainability, and integration with modern mobility systems. Hun in the Sun made a significant contribution with the presentation of the book Hydroracers: The Schneider Trophy Epic, which celebrates the legendary aviation competition and the seaplanes that marked an era. The exhibition of the illustrations and images from the book attracted great interest from the participants, solidifying Hun in the Sun’s role as a reference point for aviation culture and history. Gallery

FOSAA Read More »

Air Force Historical Museum

conference, exhibitions / HunInTheSun

The Myth of the Schneider Trophy Air Force Historical Museum Conference, exhibitionVelo hangar of the Museo Storico dell’Aeronautica Militare in Vigna di Valle Vigna di Valle, Italy (October 2021) On October 23, 2021, the Velo Hangar of the Historical Museum of the Italian Air Force in Vigna di Valle served as the stage for the official presentation of Hydroracers: The Schneider Trophy Epic, the latest project by Max Pinucci, creator of Airship: North Pole Quest. This exclusive, closed-door event offered a unique opportunity to delve into the history and legend of the Schneider Trophy, one of the most iconic competitions of aviation’s golden age. Marking the centenary of the 4th edition of the trophy, the project was unveiled in an extraordinary setting—an aircraft hangar still housing historic seaplanes that once competed in this legendary race. Hydroracers is an ambitious international project paying tribute to the epic era of seaplanes, born from the collaboration between Hun in the Sun, the Italian Air Force, Platypus Games, and other industry experts. The project encompasses a high-value editorial book retracing the history of the Schneider Trophy, a board game, 1:144 scale models of racing seaplanes, and a multimedia exhibition. The exhibition immerses participants in the golden age of aviation through historical images, videos, and cutting-edge immersive technologies, celebrating the innovation and daring spirit of this iconic competition. The event featured contributions from prominent figures in the aviation world, including General Giovanni F. Adamo, Gregory Alegi, Andrea Angiolino, Colonel Rosario D’Auria, General Basilio Di Martino, Hideaki Ozawa, François-Gilles Ricard, and General Sergio A. Scalese. These experts shared insights into the history of the Schneider Trophy competition and its legendary participants. During this special occasion, a selection of scale models and 3D dioramas was presented, vividly bringing to life the stories of the aircraft and pilots whose feats shaped one of the most extraordinary chapters in aviation history. The combination of expert narratives and detailed visual displays offered attendees a deep and engaging exploration of the competition’s enduring legacy. The Hydroracers project, developed across multiple platforms, not only celebrates the pilots and their extraordinary machines but also tells the story of the passion and competition that pushed humanity to surpass its limits, paying homage to the aviation pioneers who gave life to the myth of the Schneider Trophy. Gallery

Air Force Historical Museum Read More »

Military Geographic Institute

conference / HunInTheSun

Airships: History between Heaven and Earth Military Geographic Institute Conference Firenze, Italy (Apr. 2018) In the prestigious Schmiedt Hall of the Military Geographic Institute in Florence, a historic reference point for Italian geography and cartography since 1872, Max Pinucci presented the Museum Edition of his acclaimed book Airships: Designed for Greatness, the Illustrated History. This event provided an important opportunity to delve into the history of airships, intertwining the themes of cartography and photogrammetry, fields in which the IGM has been a pioneer at the international level, with the technological evolution and design of these extraordinary airships. Organized in collaboration with Hun in the Sun, the event highlighted the multidisciplinary approach that characterizes the work of Pinucci and his team. During the conference, the contents of the volume were presented, combining high-quality illustrations, technical details, and historical narratives to tell the epic story of airships. Additionally, the imminent opening of the large multimedia exhibition Airships | Dirigibili: Ships in the Clouds, scheduled for May 11 in Trieste, was announced, an event that would further enhance the research and outreach efforts of the project. The event at the IGM not only served as an opportunity to celebrate the excellence of design and visual storytelling but also to explore the connection between airships and their applications in mapping and geographical exploration, highlighting the pioneering role of these flying machines in expanding human knowledge. Gallery

Military Geographic Institute Read More »

79rosso. Mostre e residenze artistiche

conference, exhibitions / HunInTheSun

Airships: Journey Between Art and Myth 79rosso. Mostre e residenze artistiche Conference, exhibition Florence, Italy (March 2018) The exhibition “Airships | Ships in the Clouds” by Max Pinucci, inaugurated in March 2018 at the 79rosso art space in Florence, celebrated the extraordinary history and allure of airships, true ships in the clouds. Organized with the support of Hun in the Sun, the exhibition featured 16 large-format panels, scale models, and multimedia materials combining historical images, sounds, and projections. The panels, created using mixed digital techniques, told the story of the technology, design, and performance of these imposing airships, the result of the research and passion of Max Pinucci, designer, professor, and founder of Hun in the Sun. Each piece was born from the in-depth study for the book Airships: Designed for Greatness, an internationally recognized and award-winning volume, sold in 28 countries, that stands as a unique tribute to the history and myth of airships. In the exhibition, alongside the original panels, visitors were able to explore detailed infographics illustrating scales, maps, and technical data, allowing them to understand the proportions and performance of these sky giants. The exhibition offered an immersive journey through the history of airships, from 1900 to the present, intertwining contemporary graphic languages with scientific and educational narratives, in a perfect balance between art and technique. The collaboration between Hun in the Sun and the 79rosso team made it possible to create a unique cultural experience, captivating both aviation history enthusiasts and curious visitors, bringing to the forefront the human dream of conquering the sky. Gallery

79rosso. Mostre e residenze artistiche Read More »

Night Flight 4

conference, exhibitions / HunInTheSun

Biplanes and Airships: Visual Magic Night Flight 4 Docu-show Aeroporto CollinaBorgo San Lorenzo, Florence, Italy (July 2016) July 2016 saw a unique event at the Aviosuperficie Collina, in the heart of the Mugello region, where the Biplano Club Italia organized Biplano Day, an occasion to celebrate the history and allure of historic aviation. Among biplanes, airships, and evocative narratives, the day offered a show that intertwined art, history, and technology in a multisensory story. The centerpiece of the event was the contribution of Max Pinucci, founder of Hun in the Sun, who, together with Gregory Alegi, presented a journey through the history of aviation, inspired by the book Airships: Designed for Greatness. The narrative unfolded through a combination of historical, technical, and artistic images, projected onto the surfaces of the hangar using the innovative visual technologies of Animation Lights Project. Pinucci’s book, which explores the evolution and allure of airships, was at the heart of the exhibition, enriched with historical and technical images projected onto large surfaces. The visual performance was complemented by the dancers of Axe Ballet, directed by Elena Degl’Innocenti, who danced inspired by the movements of airships and biplanes, creating a fusion of art, history, and technology. Thanks to this creative vision and the contribution of all collaborators, Biplano Day became a memorable experience, highlighting the creative work of Hun in the Sun and its approach to visual storytelling, celebrating the grandeur and history of airships. Gallery

Night Flight 4 Read More »

Festival del Viaggio

conference / HunInTheSun

Traveling in the Sky of Giants Festival del Viaggio Conference Sala Ferri, Palazzo Strozzi Gabinetto Viesseux, Florence, Italy (June, 2016) In June 2016, the Festival del Viaggio, the first Italian festival dedicated to travel enthusiasts, hosted a special event in Florence, in the Sala Ferri of Palazzo Strozzi, within the Gabinetto Viesseux. Organized by the Italian Society of Travelers, this festival aimed to celebrate one of the most fascinating and legendary means of transport: the airship. The opening of the event was dedicated to a special conference, curated by Max Pinucci, founder of Hun in the Sun, who provided a unique overview of the history and evolution of airships. Pinucci presented a selection of models and projects, weaving a captivating narrative that spanned across eras, telling the stories of heroes and adventures related to this extraordinary means of transport. His presentation allowed participants to explore the historical, technical, and visionary dimensions of the airship, a vehicle that, in addition to being a symbol of innovation, has always inspired the dream of traveling beyond known boundaries. Gallery

Festival del Viaggio Read More »

Umberto Nobile Museum

conference / HunInTheSun

The Norge polar crossing Umberto Nobile Museum ConferenzaLauro, Italy (May 2016) On May 14, 2016, the Umberto Nobile Museum in Lauro hosted a conference to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Norge airship’s polar crossing, an epic feat led by Umberto Nobile and Roald Amundsen in 1926. Organized by the “Amici di Umberto Nobile” Club in collaboration with Pro Lauro, the Forum Vallo Lauro 2050, and under the patronage of the Municipality of Lauro, the event retraced one of the greatest adventures in Arctic exploration through scientific and historical contributions. One of the most significant moments was the presentation by Max Pinucci, author of the book Airships: Designed for Greatness. His talk, titled “The Forgotten Century of Airships,” recounted the evolution of these extraordinary flying vessels, highlighting their contributions to exploration, technological progress, and air transport. With its expertise in design and historical storytelling, Hun in the Sun added a unique value to the event, intertwining the narrative of the Norge expedition with a broader vision of the role of airships in the history and future of aviation. The conference thus combined memory and innovation, paying tribute to the genius and courage of Nobile and Amundsen, while celebrating airships as symbols of adventure, progress, and technological boldness. Gallery

Umberto Nobile Museum Read More »

Beasts of the Sky

conference, exhibitions / HunInTheSun

Flying between Art and History Beasts of the Sky | I giganti del cielo Conference and installationChiesa di San Jacopo in Campo CorboliniFirenze, Italy (May 2016) The exhibition “Beasts of the Sky | I Giganti del Cielo“, hosted from May 16 to 20, 2016, in the Church of San Jacopo in Campo Corbolini in Florence, celebrated the history and aesthetic evolution of airships through an innovative virtual exhibition. Conceived by the students of the Master’s program “Museum and the Public” at the LDM/Marist Institute, with the technical coordination of Max Pinucci and the collaboration of the Alinari Foundation, the event transformed the sacred space into a captivating visual experience through the projection of historical images onto the church walls. Hun in the Sun, under Pinucci’s direction, played a central role in the realization of the project, curating the design and narrative of the exhibition, structured into three thematic areas: “From Form to Flight”, exploring the historical and technological development of airships; “First First-Class”, dedicated to the luxury and panoramas offered by flying ships; “Two Faces of Destruction”, recounting their military use and decline. The event was not limited to the exhibition alone but also served as an opportunity to reflect on the cultural and technological impact of airships, thanks to the visionary contribution of Hun in the Sun. The involvement of Pinucci and his studio made it possible to merge design, historical storytelling, and technology into an exhibition that captured the audience’s imagination, celebrating airships as symbols of an era of boldness and innovation. Gallery

Beasts of the Sky Read More »