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REVOLT RISING
A hot air balloon by artist Virgil Ortiz
Revolt Rising Takes Flight
Heritage Hotels & Resorts’ first hot-air balloon, Revolt Rising, brings the imaginative world of Cochiti Pueblo artist Virgil Ortiz to the sky. At its center is Tahu, leader of the Blind Archers, a fictional character inspired by Pueblo history, Cochiti traditions, and the strength and resilience of Pueblo women. Part of Ortiz’s Revolt 1680/2180 saga, Tahu represents a story of courage, perseverance, and cultural continuity.
Meet The Artist - Virgil Ortiz
A Cochiti Pueblo artist, Virgil Ortiz brings together traditional pottery, contemporary art, fashion, sculpture, and storytelling to create work that connects the past with imagined futures. Raised in a family of renowned Cochiti potters, Ortiz carries forward generations of artistic tradition while forging a distinctly contemporary visual language.
Photo right by Steve Larese
Photo right by Steve Larese
His ongoing Revolt 1680/2180 project reimagines the history of the 1680 Pueblo Revolt through a futuristic world of characters, technology, and storytelling. Rooted in Pueblo history and culture, Ortiz’s work invites new generations to engage with the past while imagining what the future can hold.
A Shared Purpose
Heritage Hotels & Resorts’ Noble Purpose is rooted in creating meaningful connections to the people, places, and stories that make New Mexico unique. When Jim Long commissioned Cochiti Pueblo artist Virgil Ortiz to create a design for a hot air balloon, that purpose took flight in an entirely new way.
Inspired by Ortiz’s visionary storytelling and his ongoing exploration of Pueblo history, Revolt Rising brings art and history into the New Mexico sky. The commission reflects a shared belief in the power of storytelling to spark curiosity, create connection, and bring important stories to new audiences. Through this collaboration, Heritage Hotels & Resorts is proud to help carry Ortiz’s work beyond the gallery and into the landscape that inspired it.