DRIVEN FROM THE HEIGHTS
Photographer, creative designer and essayist– the many talents of adventurer Ivan
Kristoff are explored in this abundantly illustrated volume, the first to examine the
work of world’s famous rope access technician. From his professional work on the
exterior walls of skyscrapers, through the tops of the world’s tallest structures, Ivan
examines in words and in images the past three years of his remarkable artist’s
oeuvre.
Although he has been called by the media Canada’s Spiderman, for his unique skills
and innovative techniques to scale down buildings during training and High Angle
rescue operations, Ivan encompasses a wider range of the vertical environment by
going into the field of tactical operations on ropes suspended from helicopters. His
evolution as a photographer is marked by several distinct stages. Initially
recognized for his outdoor photography of sport’s activities in caves and
mountains, he further explored to take aerial shots while flying with a paraglider.
As Kristoff’s exterior services on tall building and antenna masts expanded, his
portfolio increased with visual records of his projects as a necessity to allow his
clients to see through his eyes the work, during photo and video surveys on the
exterior building envelope. Aerial shots from helicopters of his airborne tactical
and rescue demonstrations became a signature, best observed in his ropework
related special events.
Since he felt that he reached the highest levels of training in extreme conditions,
beyond the lines of reasonable risk and safe procedures, and mastered all possible
climbing techniques, the photographer wanted to create a new meaning in his
hobby. Ivan, who studied philosophy and history of fine arts in his first year at the
University of Toronto, wanted to implement his knowledge in research for a new
form of visual communications. He wanted to explore new concepts in
photography and though the most advanced technology in photo lenses to shape
the view of the surrounding elements in his own matrix. Through the use of wide
angle lenses, the viewer can observe near 180º panoramic scenes. This is why the
exhibition in which the artist represented his later work is called “Through the Eye
of the Spider”.
This collection of photos and essay represent the scope of work in the artistic and
professional endeavor of the author in the period of year 202‐2005. Widely
represented in Bulgarian exhibitions, he has recently exhibited a multi‐media
presentation of how Ivan organizes his special events. In the City of Varna, he
demonstrated to the public Rapid Access Deployment of emergency rescue
vehicles in hard to reach places by lifting up his Off‐road motorcycle to the roof of
the Palace of Culture and Sport. In his Spiderman‐style, he scaled down with it.