Like human birds

Ancient Matera teems with the athletes of Red Bull Art of Motion
The soaring masses of the Sassi of Matera cut through the sky. There’s art in shifting, a beauty in movement. Freerunning, the new, modern wave of urban hyperactivity, is transported to an evocative space, in a cultural landscape that exudes history and legend.

The “Underground City” turns into open airspace, the stomping ground for flying athletes. Young runners embrace the void, the surge of adrenaline as they strive for the perfect gesture. They weave from above through the world-worn streets, human birds eager to investigate the unknown, to draw from the local architecture.
There’s no time to think, no time to be afraid.

Thousands of onlookers watch the acrobats of the clouds, following them from one balcony to another, from one spin to a landing. Everything flows quickly, defying gravity. Matera hears each step and accompanies her new, bold explorers: prophets, artists of danger whose pain becomes redemption, whose past becomes future.





ATHLETA MAGAZINE ISSUE 06
Credits
PH Margareth Gàspar
TEXT Gianmarco Pacione
Related Posts

Watchlist – Swagger
Apple TV+ series that shows us life through basketball

Átjan Wild Islands, in the Faroe Islands the trail becomes sublime
Welcome to the famous Nordic archipelago, where running is an experiential journey

Behind the Lights – Cédric Dasesson
Sardinia is a feeling that only a true Sardinian can understand and portray

Behind the Lights – Celia D. Luna
Cultural heritage and roots, female grace and power: the colorful world of the Andean photographer

Ted Hesser, sports habit fights depression
‘Chains of Habit’ explains how outdoor sports can curb inner demons and fractures

Welcome to Planet Tevere
“Io, Tevere – Le radici del mare,” Marco Spinelli and Roberto D’Amico explain why a legendary river can raise awareness among all of us

Behind the scenes of the Women’s World Cup
Goal Click allows us to explore the personal, photographic and narrative perspectives of women’s football stars

Game Changers – Climate Clubs
Kyle Harman – Turner explains why football and sports need to talk about climate change

Patrick Stangbye’s running perspectives
The virtuous visions of the Norwegian ultrarunner, Brand Manager of ROA Hiking

Rob Cairns, a passionate platform for the fixed gear bike world
Community, visual production and evolution, the British creative who lives symbiotically with two wheels