Alongside a renewed attention on biometrics, air and breath continue to be materials, actions, concepts and considerations that I find myself returning to regularly. As a way to extend my work with air and breath, I am exploring inflatables. In a self-guided introduction to working with inflatables, I deconstructed six beach balls and almost successfully reattached them into one giant inflatable strand. Two key issues: I hate toxic materials and, more significantly, the heat seals of the plastic material repeatedly began to peel and separate within a few days. After several weeks of attempting to mend these breaches–followed by an in depth conversation with a colleague in London who has had similar experiences in her recent work–I aborted my work with pre-made plastic inflatable materials. These were only meant to be cheap learning materials for working with form. In my initial research last semester they appeared more promising than the plastic produce bags I first began with. I continue now to research nylon, bamboo and other fabrics.

>> I am still seeking inflatable material/method suggestions

Beach Ball Strand (3 of 6 joined)

 

>> What to do with the inflatable pool tools on hand which I have decided not to cut up and heat seal together?

Above: Pop-Up Performance in an Oakland Studio Storefront Window, June 2021

 

…and then:

 

 

 

 

 

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