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Artist Humorously Illustrates the Events of His Flight That Every Traveler Can Relate To

Renowned New York Times illustrator Christoph Niemann recently took a transatlantic flight from New York City to Berlin (with a layover in London), and documented the journey in his sketchbook. The trek itself was typical for your average flight of this distance, but this is precisely what makes his work so enjoyable and humorous to read. Niemann perfectly captures the frustration, boredom, and routine that comes from sitting on a plane for over 12 hours.

From “armrest supremacy” to agonizing over bland dinner choices, Niemann records the entire trip using minimalist-style pencil illustrations, which are at times, cartoonishly drawn. Coupled with his amusing observations, they paint a vivid picture of how he was feeling while confined to his seat. He mixes this documentation with some personal fantasies–like being able to “delete” his neighbor–which is painfully relatable if you've ever had an annoying seatmate. The weary traveler ends the drawings with a moment of happiness: the sight of his luggage safely arriving on the baggage claim.

If you enjoy this series from Niemann, be sure to check out the other clever ways he's interpreted the world around him. One of our recent favorites is his transformation of everyday items into whimsical sketches.

Christoph Niemann: WebsiteFacebook | Instagram | Twitter
via [Pleated Jeans, Bored Panda]

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled 'Embroidered Life' that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
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