Art Collective's 2000 Stunt Ignites 9/11 Conspiracy Theories

The Artwork That Spawned 9/11 Conspiracy Theories and Mystery On March 19, 2000, Florian Reither, a member of the Austrian art collective Gelitin, stood on a makeshift balcony attached to the 91st floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center. The stunt, titled "B-Thing," was meant to be a provocative commentary on modern society's relationship with space and architecture. However, it would later become embroiled in conspiracy theories surrounding the September 11 attacks. Reither, dressed in a white leather jacket, gazed out at the pink sunrise, describing the experience as "fantastic" and "sexy." The balcony was secretly constructed by Gelitin members Reither, Ali Janka, Wolfgang Gantner, and Tobias Urban. They temporarily attached it to the building and stood on top, briefly defying gravity. The stunt was part of a larger movement in the early 2000s that pushed the boundaries of art and architecture. "We wanted to explore the relationship between the individual and the built environment," said Reither in an interview with the New York Times at the time. "We were interested in how people interact with space, and how we can manipulate that interaction." However, as the years passed, the footage of Gelitin's stunt would be seized upon by conspiracy theorists who pointed to it as evidence of a pre-planned attack on the World Trade Center. The theory claimed that the balcony was actually a test run for the 9/11 attacks, with some even speculating that the artists were involved in the planning. "It's absurd," said Reither, when asked about the conspiracy theories. "We were just trying to create something provocative and thought-provoking. We had no idea it would be misinterpreted like this." The incident highlights the complexities of art and its relationship with society. As artist and critic Lucy Lippard noted, "Art can be a catalyst for conversation and critique, but it can also be misunderstood or co-opted by those who seek to exploit it for their own purposes." In 2011, Gelitin members were interviewed by the FBI as part of an investigation into the 9/11 attacks. However, no evidence was found linking them to the tragedy. Today, the "B-Thing" stunt remains a topic of debate and discussion among art historians, critics, and enthusiasts. While some see it as a pioneering work in the field of site-specific art, others view it as a reckless and irresponsible act that has been hijacked by conspiracy theorists. As Reither reflected on the experience, he noted, "We were just trying to create something new and interesting. We had no idea it would have such far-reaching consequences." Background: Gelitin is an Austrian art collective founded in 1993. The group's work often explores themes of space, architecture, and the human condition. The World Trade Center was a prominent symbol of American power and economic might at the time of the "B-Thing" stunt. The complex had been completed just over a decade earlier and was seen as an engineering marvel. Additional Perspectives: Art historian and critic Lucy Lippard noted that art can be a catalyst for conversation and critique, but it can also be misunderstood or co-opted by those who seek to exploit it for their own purposes. Reither's comments on the stunt were met with skepticism by some conspiracy theorists, who pointed out that he had previously stated that the balcony was meant to be a commentary on modern society's relationship with space and architecture. However, Reither maintained that his intentions were pure and that the stunt was not related to any nefarious activities. Current Status: The "B-Thing" stunt remains a topic of debate and discussion among art historians, critics, and enthusiasts. While some see it as a pioneering work in the field of site-specific art, others view it as a reckless and irresponsible act that has been hijacked by conspiracy theorists. Gelitin members continue to create innovative and thought-provoking works, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the world of art. *Reporting by Rollingstone.*