In the USA, at the Seattle Aviation Museum, on June 21, 2025, a presentation of a unique art object took place. This is a decommissioned Soviet MiG-21 fighter, which was completely covered with millions of colorful beads.
Work on the MiG-21 lasted five years with the participation of about 100 craftsmen from Zimbabwe and South Africa. The surface of the aircraft is a fabric of tens of millions of beads, manually attached to the aluminum body.
The author of the project is South African artist Ralph Ziman, known for "rethinking" combat vehicles using traditional beadwork techniques.
The entire fuselage and wings are covered with patterns, and the lines of the cockpit are highlighted by glowing glass. As a result, the plane resembles a huge "living canvas" that shimmers with colors and plays with rhythm.
The MiG-21 is a legendary fighter of the Cold War, produced in a quantity of more than 11,000 units and operated in dozens of countries. One of these aircraft has now become a world-class work of art.
The Seattle Aviation Museum plans to make the MiG-21 one of its most popular exhibits. Visitors will not only be able to admire the unusual art object, but also think about its deep meaning, about the fragility of the world and the power of art.
Earlier www1.ru reported that a full-size model of the AM-38F aircraft engine for the MiG-3 attack aircraft was recreated on a 3D printer by engineers from UEC-Kuznetsov.
Read more materials:
Now on home
The reason for indexation may be inflation, an increase in VAT, and rising production costs
The Ministry of Industry and Trade believes that the increase in the levy will not affect responsible manufacturers
The crew accelerated the aircraft to 580 km/h instead of the cruising speed of 450 km/h
Ship equipment comes to Russia from China at inflated prices
Almaz-Antey and the Belarusian Ministry of Defense signed a contract for equipment maintenance
The complex's computing resources allow for the competent distribution of targets between launchers
Among the spacecraft are Aist-2T No. 1 and No. 2
Deputy Prime Minister Novak announced a postponement of the deadlines, but confirmed the commitment to developing the sector
Design engineers without experience are promised salaries from 80 thousand rubles
Hard and dense shot ensures the destruction of the target from the first hit, regardless of the drone's body material
Almost all body elements are zinc-treated
SOGAZ lost the case in court against UEC-UMPO