Lava Lamp

Lava Lamp is an inflatable sculpture measuring 45m in length from end to end and occupies dimensions of 16.7 x 10.6 x 3.8m. This outcome employs inflated ripstop fabric to demonstrate how a sculpture can be site-specific and then become site-responsive. Originally designed in October 2023 for the split tiered mezzanine of Pier 36 in New York, and to wrap around one of its columns, the sculpture was also conceived to become site-responsive by being hangable at differing heights in the subsequent venues on its tour of American cities with The Balloon Museum.

The sculpture’s stripped colouring serves to accentuate the curvilinear geometry and the joins between the 200 plus individual panels serve as sewn contour lines. This is evidence of how textiles can be manipulated through manufacture to function as a form of drawing.

As of November 2024, Lava Lamp has been shown in the group exhibition Let’s Fly at Pier 36, New York; Pullman Yards, Atlanta; Mana Wynwood, Miami; Ace Mission Studios, Los Angeles. At each venue subsequent to New York, it was hung at differing hights to change its experience, from low to the ground like a labyrinth and then way above head height. It will proceed to tour at least 4 more cities in North America.

The sculpture has featured in many news organisation’s websites including the US Associated Press feed, Washington Post, and Seattle Times. Lava Lamp also features in the book Balloon Museum: Air We Are by Silvana Editoriale in separate English and Italian volumes. ISBN 978-8836657773. During the tour, Lava Lamp will be seen by hundreds of thousands of visitors.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9KfiMWtn1p/

https://balloonmuseum.world/lava-lamp-en/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Balloon-Museum-Air-are-Z/dp/883665777X