Client: SODA Museum

Overview

UNITEDLAB aims to provide installation work that children can play with their body based on the interpretation of architect in outdoor exhibition space provided by SODA Museum. We would like to awaken the children’s senses and create new play spaces where different children can play together. Also, the Cloud Forests is an installation that caters to different generations so all ages can appreciate its design. The installation is largely composed of three materials: pink flexible height bars, white balloons, and aluminum wires.
ROUND SHAPE PVC BALLOON: 1.2 m
PAINTED PVC PIPE: 3.5 – 4 m height
0.8 Ø ALUMINUM WIRE, etc

Goals

We design playing art with fresh vibrant colors; Pink and White. The Cloud Forests is an installation that caters to different generations so all ages can appreciate its design; Adults living around can enjoy it as art object and children can play with it. This site area is located in the outdoor exhibition space surrounded by concrete walls with openings. The installation is largely composed of three materials: pink flexible height bars, white balloons, and aluminum wires. First, the pink flexible bars are planted into the ground with varying levels of density. The super dense areas only allow enough space for small children to fit through and play in. Whereas, the less dense areas are wide enough for the parents to walk through and supervise their children. Next, specially designed white balloons are placed on top of the pink flexible bars. These balloons are not directly connected to the bars, and each one can move independently. Between the balloon and the bar, there is a layer of wire so that the balloons do not fall to the floor, but the movement of the children and the touching of the bar will be transmitted to the balloon, causing it to move.

Process

This project has a very low budget, $4000. Our studio was selected as a winner for this commission project so that we need to design, install and periodically maintain its status for 6 months. In the beginning, we communicated often with museum staff how we can manage this installation effectively, socially and successfully. This museum building was actually abandoned from a developer in the middle of construction, the museum bought this and change into a local museum. so they want this museum and their event to actively engage the neighborhood around. We install a medium in-between art and facility with very low budget. We need to maintain the installation condition for 6 months regardless of seasonal weather and museum off days. For example emergency days like windy days, museum staffs need to manage this outdoor artwork and actually picked balls up rolling in the neighborhood and every week we actually visit the site and inspect it doing amending wires, injecting air in the balloon or fix some part broken. Kids sometimes consider this work is supposed to be broken.

Additional Information

The most important consideration in the planning of the play facilities in the museum was a structure that could embrace both space and generation. Parents walk around but kids run. Due to the pole’s density, the installation provides kids a circulation path for a run, walk, or stand. There are spaces for play as well as social gathering even in a small place. All in all, this play facility aims to portray a metaphorical aspect and functions as an interactive installation that appeals to children and adds another dimension of art to the collection in the museum.