A film by Odile Fillion
2003
Duration 52 min
Master Digi Beta

Alex MacLean's photographic observations have established new keys to understanding the American landscape and raised awareness of the eventually dramatic consequences of our present society's patterns of development. MacLean is involved in many community programs, working mainly with American universities, urban planning departments, and design associations. His active engagement as well as his artistic abilities have given him a prominent place in international exhibitions dedicated to the examination of contemporary urban changes.

"Flying Solo" is the title of a 52-minute video program focusing on the artist. The film depicts the life of Alex MacLean at work flying his plane and taking pictures at the same time. Part of the film is inside MacLean?s plane as he travels from Kansas City to Boston. The film includes many different perspectives on his work. During the course of the film he meets with several design professionals such as architects Robert Venturi and Denise Scott Brown, landscape architects James Corner and Julie Campoli, and urban planners Daniel Serda of the Kansas City Design Center, Anne Whiston Spirn of MIT. Different perspectives are also provided by interviews with art gallery directors Yancey Richardson and Tony Decaneas, and with Alex's airplane mechanic Mike Dupont.