10 works of contemporary art swollen but not inflatable

A wind of lightness blows on the Large palace … Until September 7. Meanwhile, the Balloon Museum its deploys its monumental facilities On more than 5,000 m², transforming space into a playground inflated with imagination. For example, But behind the apparent frivolity of inflatable art Hide an entire part of contemporary creation. Meanwhile, From the 1960s, artists seized air as a material to invest in public space.

Spectacular, they fascinate by their excess and humorwhile carrying ecological, political or social messages. Furthermore, Whether it is a XXL bath ducka mechanical flower that breathes. For example, a floating cloud At the heart of the desert, these swollen sculptures prove that art can literally gain height, never take itself seriously.

The most scandalous: Tree by Paul McCarthy (2014) – 10 works contemporary art swollen

Difficult to do more controversial than TreePaul McCarthy’s inflatable work that rocked Paris in 2014. Installed Place Vendôme as part of FIACthis 24 -meter green sculpture was supposed to represent a “Abstract Christmas tree”inspired by the purified forms of Constantine Brancusi. For example, But for many, it is impossible not to see a gigantic plug anal. Meanwhile, Provocation assumed on the part of the American plastic artist, accustomed to blows of bursts and controversies. Similarly, In a few hours. Nevertheless, social networks get carried away, the conservatives are indignant and the artist is even violently attacked in full assembly of 10 works contemporary art swollen the work. Moreover, Two days later, Tree East vandalized and deflated. Furthermore, Ultimate irony: the case boosted sales of sextoys in Parisian shops.

The most flashy: Balloon Dog of Jeff Koons (1994–2000) – 10 works contemporary art swollen

With Balloon DogJeff Koons transforms a simple festive ball into Contemporary art icon. Consequently, These giant dogs with acid colors (blue, magenta, yellow, orange or red) seem straight out of a children’s birthday! Therefore, In reality, these are Stainless steel sculpturespolished like mirrors. In addition, Created between 1994. Consequently, 2000 as part of 10 works contemporary art swollen the “Celebration” series, this work XXL immortalizes The carelessness of childhood while questioning our fascination for Smooth, shiny and commercial objects. In addition, Providing as much enthusiasm as criticism, Koons celebrates lightness. Nevertheless, But that. Moreover, at gold prices: in 2013, one of the Balloon Dog Bat the most expensive sculpture record ever sold by a living artist – $ 58.4 million. For example, A ball that is definitely not lacking in air!

The most incredible: Dots Obsession – Infinity Mirrored Room de Yayoi Kusama (1998) – 10 works contemporary art swollen

Of the Red and white peas are infinitely repeated, plunging the visitor into a hypnotic space. Additionally, Consequently, Since 1998. Therefore, this immersive installation of Yayoi Kusama, Made of mirrors and inflatable sculptureshas imposed itself among the most iconic works of contemporary inflatable art. However, The Japanese artist. a avant-garde figure marked by hallucinations and visual obsessions from childhood, declines his famous peas here until the total loss of landmarks. Giant balloons, multiplied reflections and tangy colors transform space into a delirious world. Between pop poetry and artistic therapy, Kusama literally invites us to enter his mind. An immersive experience which, with each exhibition, attracts crowds and selfies by 10 works contemporary art swollen thousands.

The most chimerical: The Skywhale De Patricia Piccinini (2013)

Half-tin. half-beer, this inflatable fantasy entitled The Skywhale floats above our heads like a poetic UFO. Designed by the Australian artist Patricia Piccinini for the Centenary of Canberra in 2013. this monumental hot air balloon intrigue by its strange silhouette and its imposing udderssupposed to contain a lighter gas than air. Behind her pace of 10 works contemporary art swollen a eccentric balloon hides a deep reflection on evolution. our relationship to living : What if mammals had learned to fly rather than swimming? The work. which required more than 3,500 m² of fabric and seven months of manufacture, has since flown over Australia, Japan, Europe and Brazil. Now owned by the National Gallery of Australia. this air creature crosses the world in duet, alongside his male pendant : The Skywhalepapaunveiled in 2021.

The craziest: 42,390 Cubic Feet Package de Christo and Jeanne-Claude (1966)

In 1966, Christo and Jeanne-Claude took up height with 42,390 Cubic Feet Packagea work as delusional as it is monumental. Designed in Minneapolis with the help of 147 students. this air sculpture consists of Four huge military balls and 2,800 colorful spheresall wrapped in transparent polyethylene and tied up like a giant package. Scheduled to rise between two artistic institutions. this 225 kg air package only stole six meters from the ground, for lack of authorization. No matter: the duo transforms logistical failure into a poetic gesture. Self -funded like most of their projects, the work embodies their ephemeral and spectacular art. A hymn to lightness. foreshadowing their future spectacular performances such as the packaging of the Pont-Neuf, in Paris, or the Reichstag de Berlin.

The most utopian: Desert Cloud de Graham Stevens (1972)

It is not a mirage! In 1972. Graham Stevens transformed the air into living material with Desert Clouda light inflatable structure offering a real Oasis of freshness at the heart of the desert. This vast silver membrane rises thanks to the solar heat that dilates 10 works contemporary art swollen the indoor air. creating a autonomous shelterwithout using an external energy source. Real manifesto of a Ecological. autonomous architecture, Desert Cloud Go further: it captures ambient humidity to condense water, proving that a work of art can become a vital solution. Filmed in 1974 in the Kuwait desert. this visionary installationborn in the middle of the oil crisis, already announced the climatic issues of today. When inflatable art merges with engineering, it is a whole sustainable future that rises in the air.

The most disturbing: Somehow I Don’t Feel Comfortable de Momoyo Torimitsu (2000)

But what do these Two giant rabbits Stuck between floor and ceiling? In 2000. Momoyo Torimitsu took over the Parisian gallery Xippas with Somehow I Don’t Feel Comfortablea shock installation that grabs as much as it bothers. In this improbable scenel’universe kawaii Japaneserenowned for its childish aesthetics, rocks in discomfort. Behind their apparent sweetness, these cute but oppressive figures reveal a deep discomfort. By playing on this tension between innocence. claustrophobiathe artist points to the finger at Suffering social norms – in particular those weighing on women – and questions the place left to intimacy in a world that tightens, inexorably, the walls of our freedoms.

The most alive: Breathing Flower of Choi Jeong Hwa (2019)

“Inspire, exhale. Slowly. the Huge lotus petals of Choi Jeong Hwa unfold and close, animated by a discreet motorized mechanism which simulates the breath of a living organism. Baptized Breathing Flowerthis monumental sculpture of 7 meters high imposes his hypnotic presence, suspending time to the rhythm of artificial breathing. Behind its apparent lightness, the work reveals deeper discomfort. Made from inexpensive synthetic materials, it points Contradictions of our consumer society. Through this fragile mechanical beat. the artist raises an observation: in a globalized society, even the flowers breathe at 10 works contemporary art swollen the rhythm of the plastic.

The most joyful: Rubber Duck The Florentijn Hofman (2007)

Hard. not to smile while crossing the road to Rubber Duckl’Huge floating bath duck Imagined by Florentijn Hofman. This vivid yellow volatile with an orange xxl beak is available in several copies that can reach Until 26 meterswhich sail to the four corners of the globe: from Sydney to Hong Kong. passing through the Loire or Taiwan. By diverting a 10 works contemporary art swollen familiar object from childhood, the Dutch artist signs a Monumental and quirky sculptureboth regressive and spectacular. But any harmless as it is. the giant duck is not immune to turbulence: deflated by raptors, vandalized or censorship In China after being diverted from satirical images. Whatever the snags. Rubber Ducks continue their planetary odyssey, bringing, wherever they happen, A dose of joyful surrealisminflated with self -mockery!