Selected Entries

Dancing with the Light

Cantonese (original) / English

In Cantonese, “wasting air” is a phrase commonly used to describe things or actions that are useless. Inflatable objects, for example, have long been associated with toys and disposables such as balloons and bouncy castles, and may be seen by many as dispensable, temporary, recreational and unsophisticated—a futile “waste of air”. Dancing with the Light aims to challenge this stereotype by delving into the potential of inflatables. The result is an interactive installation combining light and inflatable motion, transforming air into shape and movement.

Dancing with the Light comprises 15 glowing inflatable motion components, arranged radially in three layers. Programmed air pumps continuously adjust airflow into the light-weight structure to coordinate its movements, which are simultaneously coordinated with lighting. These components are connected to sensors installed around the exhibiting area, enabling them to respond to audience behaviour with “latent”, “vigilant” and “dynamic” movement. This demonstration of the range of movement achievable by inflatable motion may point towards a future where it is utilised in architecture, stage design and even lighting—and no longer uselessly “wasting air”.

AIR 23

It is an interactive installation making use of its’ unique properties by combining lights and moving inflatables to transform air into shapes and biomorphic movements.

We made our best effort to demonstrate the unlimited possibilities inflatables can offer and challenge the stereotype of inflatable-motion installations. Inflatable objects have long been associated with toys and disposables – dispensable, temporary or of recreational use only. It is hard to be taken seriously as a non mainstream installation since the general population doesn’t see much point in designing and crafting inflatables in the first place. So “Dancing with the light” is set to subvert this stereotype.

AIR 23

AIR23 is an inflatable structure research team founded in London in 2020 by Paul Chung and Johnathan Ma. It began as part of the architectural master programme at the University of Westminster. The team focuses on digital inflatable-motion design and works on experimental installations that explore the potentials of air structures for the future.

Selected Entries

Dancing with the Light

Cantonese (original) / English

In Cantonese, “wasting air” is a phrase commonly used to describe things or actions that are useless. Inflatable objects, for example, have long been associated with toys and disposables such as balloons and bouncy castles, and may be seen by many as dispensable, temporary, recreational and unsophisticated—a futile “waste of air”. Dancing with the Light aims to challenge this stereotype by delving into the potential of inflatables. The result is an interactive installation combining light and inflatable motion, transforming air into shape and movement.

Dancing with the Light comprises 15 glowing inflatable motion components, arranged radially in three layers. Programmed air pumps continuously adjust airflow into the light-weight structure to coordinate its movements, which are simultaneously coordinated with lighting. These components are connected to sensors installed around the exhibiting area, enabling them to respond to audience behaviour with “latent”, “vigilant” and “dynamic” movement. This demonstration of the range of movement achievable by inflatable motion may point towards a future where it is utilised in architecture, stage design and even lighting—and no longer uselessly “wasting air”.

AIR 23