Inspired by Lufthansa Allegris: Heavenly Pop Art

To find inspiration, Antonio Colomboni usually takes a walk through his adopted hometown of Milan, sits down in one of the many cafés, in a library, or meets up with friends. The 41-year-old works as an illustrator and art director; his art is passionate, witty, colorful, and loud. It’s reminiscent of pop art while also standing in the fine tradition of Italian surrealists. An illustration begins as an idea that he first sketches with a pencil, says Colomboni. Then it gradually takes shape on his electronic devices, on his laptop and iPad. “There’s no real starting point for my creative process,” he says. “Inspiration often hits me like a bolt of lightning.” However: the starting point of Colomboni’s latest artwork can be pinpointed quite precisely…

Milan-Malpensa Airport, late March. The air is still cool as Antonio Colomboni climbs the stairs of the compact twin-engine jet shortly before 6 a.m., which will take him over the Alps to Munich Airport. From there, his journey to New York City is set to begin – on an aircraft equipped with the innovative Lufthansa Allegris seats. The challenge Colomboni has set for himself: to create a poster inspired by his surroundings, by the design of the Lufthansa Allegris cabin and its Business Class seats. “Travel has an immense influence on my creativity,” says Colomboni, who grew up in a small village in the Italian Marche region. “It stimulates, opens the mind to new experiences and visions.” How the experience of flying Lufthansa Allegris for the first time will affect Colomboni’s imagination and be reflected in his artwork will become clear after 8 hours and 25 minutes of flight time.

Munich Airport “Franz Josef Strauß,” Gate L21. Antonio Colomboni boards the Airbus 350-900, is greeted by members of the Lufthansa crew, and guided to his seat: 11K, the spacious Business Class Privacy Seat in the last row – of course with a window, which Colomboni is especially happy about. “I like to be able to look outside during a flight,” he explains. “The sky and the clouds, whose shapes are constantly changing, inspire me.” Colomboni takes off his black canvas jacket, gets comfortable – and right away, a crew member is there to offer him a welcome drink. It’s now just after 1 p.m. Take-off.

Before Colomboni transforms his Business Class seat into a studio above the clouds, he familiarizes himself with his surroundings and the functions: with the seat, which can be turned into a bed, the seat heating and cooling, the ambient lighting, and the entertainment system – all controllable via a 10-inch tablet. “I think it’s fantastic that I have a completely individual space here,” says Colomboni. “And it’s so quiet.” That was also the intention of the Lufthansa Allegris designers, since the Business Class Privacy Seat promises a particularly high level of privacy and quiet thanks to the generous distance from the aisle. Colomboni also appreciates the clear design of Lufthansa Allegris, which at first glance seems to contrast with his loud and bold art – but perhaps it is the calm and minimalist surroundings that create space for the Italian maximalism that is just taking shape in Colomboni’s sketchbook: Against a bright sky-blue background, a man and a woman toast with cocktails. They’re sitting on clouds (how comfortable Colomboni finds his Lufthansa Allegris seat is more than evident from this image metaphor), and through an airplane window a ray of sunlight shines, on which an aircraft takes off like on a runway – toward the sun.

There are just over two hours left until landing at John F. Kennedy Airport. After a day full of new impressions, which began with a red-eye flight in Milan, Colomboni wants to get a little rest. “Lufthansa Allegris Business Class is perfect for that,” he says. “To find a good balance between concentration and relaxation.”

Three more artists will soon travel to exciting destinations with Lufthansa Allegris and let the flight inspire them. Stay tuned for their stories and artworks.