A Cold War-era fighter jet transformed into a monumental work of art will make its stunning debut at the Museum of Flight on June 21, as The MiG-21 Project opens to the public. South African artist Ralph Ziman’s ambitious five-year multidisciplinary endeavor reimagines a Soviet-designed MiG-21 fighter jet, covering it entirely with tens of millions of vibrant glass beads. This striking piece turns a symbol of conflict into one of resilience and collaboration.
The exhibit centers around the beaded MiG-21 and features complementary works, including original Afrofuturistic flight suits and helmets, along with videos, photographs, and other artwork created as part of the Project. Opening day festivities run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and include a film screening and artist talk with Ralph Ziman and his creative team, community art projects, beading demonstrations, family workshops, and more. Admission is free for museum members and included with general entry. Group rates are available. The MiG-21 Project will be on display through January 26, 2026. Click HERE for more information.
Documentary Screening and Artist Talk: 2–3:30 p.m.
The MiG-21 Project team—artist and filmmaker Ralph Ziman, filmmakers Nic Hofmeyr and Paul Duran-Lemos, and project manager Nick Bonamy—will present their 25-minute documentary, followed by a moderated discussion and audience Q&A. Cody Othoudt, lead exhibit developer at The Museum of Flight, will guide the conversation. The documentary traces the project’s journey—from Ziman’s initial inspiration and acquisition of the aircraft to the international collaboration that brought the beadwork and art to life. It also explores the MiG-21’s complex history, including its role in the Angolan Civil War and its indirect influence on the end of apartheid-era white rule in South Africa.
Featuring historical footage and personal interviews—including a Polish Air Force pilot who flew the MiG-21 in the 1980s and a South African Border War pilot—the film introduces the diverse team of Southern African and American artists and craftspeople who meticulously covered the jet in millions of beads. The post-screening discussion will delve into the artists’ personal connections to the MiG and the historical research that shaped the project. The team will share technical insights and explore the powerful themes of reclaiming instruments of war through art, inviting reflection on history, identity, and transformation.
About The MiG-21 Project
The MiG-21 Project is the final chapter in Ralph Ziman’s Weapons of Mass Production Trilogy, a 12-year series inspired by his upbringing during apartheid South Africa. Produced collaboratively across continents, the project addresses the global impact of the arms trade and militarization, transforming symbols of oppression into art that prompts dialogue on history and contemporary conflict. “The aim of The MiG-21 Project,” Ziman explains, “is to take the most mass-produced supersonic fighter aircraft and turn it from a machine of war into something that looks beautiful and changes the meaning of it.”
The Significance of Beads
Bead artisan Thenjiwe Pretty Nkogatsi highlights the cultural importance of beads in Africa: “There is no Africa without beads; it connects us. Deep within Africa, beads are a common thread—this is why they are everywhere.” This landmark exhibit invites visitors to witness how art can transform history, sparking conversation on resilience, identity, and healing. Click HERE for more information.
