“In sport, you chase a score. In the sky, you chase a feeling,” she says. “The first time I soloed—when the wheels left the ground and it was just me and the plane—I cried in my headset. Not because I was scared. Because for the first time since the Olympics, I felt that pure, unfiltered joy of doing something just for myself.”
The journey has not been easy. The first hurdle was financial. While a celebrated athlete in her home country, Alina was not a global superstar. Prize money and sponsorship dried up quickly after retirement. To fund her flight school, which costs over €60,000 for full training, she sold her competition leotards, launched a small online business selling handmade gymnastics grips, and took a night job as a hotel receptionist. alina angel chasing new dream
"Alina Angel Chasing New Dream" is not just an exhibition; it is an experience that will linger in your thoughts long after you leave. It is a poignant reminder that, no matter where we come from or what challenges we face, we all share a common humanity and a deep-seated desire to dream, aspire, and create. “In sport, you chase a score
“Everyone asks me if I miss the glitter, the music, the roar of the crowd,” Alina says, sipping a black coffee in a hangar on the outskirts of Bucharest. Her posture is still impossibly straight, her hands steady. “Of course I do. But that dream ended. A new one has just taken off.” Not because I was scared
Since its inception, "Alina Angel Chasing New Dream" has garnered widespread critical acclaim, with many hailing it as a landmark moment in contemporary art. Critics have praised the project for its bold ambition, technical innovation, and emotional impact. The project has not only resonated with art aficionados but has also inspired a new generation of artists to explore themes of hope, aspiration, and the human condition.