Let your imagination take flight. The first-of-its-kind Balloon Museum makes its highly anticipated London debut on 27th December with a new group exhibition EmotionAir, featuring twenty internationally acclaimed artists. Located in the heart of the city, the must-see show is set to take over the historic Old Billingsgate space, spanning an impressive 78,000 square feet.
Following successful exhibitions in New York, Rome, Paris, Milan, Madrid and Naples the unprecedented exhibition has welcomed more than 3 million visitors so far during its limited time-runs across the globe.
EmotionAir: Art you can feel aims to explore the profound relationship between art and human emotion through the captivating medium of inflatable art. Visitors will be immersed in a unique multisensory journey through over-the-top, oversized, and unexpected immersive installations.
Roberto Fantauzzi, President of Italian-based Lux Holding, the creative force behind Balloon Museum, comments, “We are thrilled to be bringing Balloon Museum to Londoners at last, in one of our largest spaces to date. This colossal new exhibition features some of the most exciting contemporary artists working today, and we are honoured to have collaborated with them to present this unique exhibition. Prepare to discover a journey through some of the world’s best immersive, living, breathing art.”
From monumental installations that rise majestically in the exhibition space, to smaller-scale intimate works, this is a dynamic experience like nothing London has seen before. Artists from all over the world form the exhibition’s journey, creating a space where distance between artwork and viewer is obliterated, leaving room for awe, creativity, and wonder. Unlike conventional museums, Balloon Museum guests are not merely spectators – they can touch or and interact, transforming the viewing experience into a tactile, sensorial, and digital journey.
EmotionAir will also explore the history of inflatable objects, from the Montgolfier brothers’ 18th century invention of the hot air balloon to contemporary artwork icons such as the Balloon Dog series by American artist Jeff Koons. Balloon Museum won the prestigious BEA Best Proprietary Format award in 2022 and 2023 and was even recently featured in the Emmy-nominated Netflix favourite Emily in Paris.
About the exhibition:
EmotionAir artists delve into the distinctive realm of inflatable mediums, pushing the boundaries of form and space to convey a rich tapestry of emotions. This exhibition provides a comprehensive exploration of diverse artistic approaches and techniques, offering a nuanced perspective on the interplay of emotion and art.
Featuring twenty accomplished artists, each presentation is a nuanced interpretation of specific emotions, personal behaviours, and individual experiences that have left an indelible mark. The emotions explored span a broad spectrum and manifest in myriad forms: from the formidable Cube Abyss installation by Cyril Lancelin, evoking a visceral sense of fear, to the expansive pink rabbits crafted by Momoyo Torimitsu, a poignant expression of frustration and discomfort.
Artists like Lucas Zanotto and Jason Wilsher-Mills celebrate the joy and empathy in various forms, while Rub Kandy with his extravagant GINJOS celebrates ecstasy. Prepare to be amazed by the works of Michela Picchi and Kalman Pool, lifelike video installations by Anotherview, and the interactive Swing by Motorefisico. Italian collective Hyperstudio presents two works: Too many Thoughts and Hyperfeeling. The latter, in collaboration with international studio Sila Sveta and artist Kissmiklos, is the heart of the exhibition, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in thousands of spheres.
The modified entrance by Steve Messam, the immersive kinetic installation ELECTRIC MOONS by Christopher Bauder, and the astonishing Volatile Structure by Geraldo Zamproni are also truly captivating. Showcasing the impact of sound, Thom Kubli’s intriguing work Black Hole Horizon – where sound appears trapped in floating bubbles – adds another dimension.
Embark on a visual odyssey through the vibrant and whimsical world crafted by Miranda Makaroff, where creativity knows no bounds. Encounter the extraordinary realm of Motomichi Nakamura, where monstrous and enchanting creatures engage in a dance of conflicting yet narratives. Immerse yourself in the kaleidoscopic wonders envisioned by Karina Smigla-Bobinski’s masterpiece, Kaleidoscope, inviting visitors to conjure infinite colour combinations. Witness the mesmerising interplay of light in the innovative work of Alex Schweder, titled The Third Thing, where artistry transcends conventional boundaries.
Each artist’s creation unfolds as a unique and captivating chapter in this immersive journey of artistic exploration.
Featured artists and artworks include:
· Steve Messam: Façade
· Christopher Bauder: ELECTRIC MOONS
· Cyril Lancelin: Cube Abyss
· Momoyo Torimitsu: Somehow, I Don’t Feel Comfortable
· Hyperstudio: Too many Thoughts
· Motomichi Nakamura: Cannonballs
· Kalman Pool: Voyage
· Alex Schweder: The Third Thing
· Karina Smigla-Bobinski: Kaleidoscope
· Miranda Makaroff: Synchronized Chaos
· Motorefisico: Swing
· Hyperstudio – Sila Sveta – Kissmiklos: Hyperfeeling
· Geraldo Zamproni: Volatile Structure
· Jason Wilsher-Mills: The Argonaut
· Thom Kubli: Black Hole Horizon
· Anotherview: Skyscape #1
· Michela Picchi: Playground Love
· Rub Kandy: The GINJOS
· Lucas Zanotto: SQUEEZED IN
