Air art

So today i found some images of an air whale made from plastic bin bags from a website. It looks like a pretty simple idea and the images came out really well. 

From that, i did some research on an artist i remembered doing something similar called Joshua Allen Harris who uses air vents to create a similar affect. He does this in public places and creates different characters using plastic bags, such as polar bears and lock ness monsters to lay ontop of the vent and when the air goes through the vent, the plastic bags are filled and become a 3d sculpture. I like the idea that when the bags aren't filled with air they just look like everyday rubbish found on the street, and they are brought to life with the air from subways and air in New York. 

His first piece of air art was the well known polar bear which became viral when someone spotted it in New York and posted it on youtube (follow the link above for the video). He then started doing projects such as "air apes" which are a selection of ape characters also made from plastic bags hung and attached to vents.

Work by Joshua Allen Harris

Another artist i found whilst browsing through some of Harris' images, is work by Mark Jenkins who creates street installation using  packing tape.  Although he doesn't use air, his sculptures relate to the work i've looked at. His work is considered as "designs to awaken passers-by from the comfort of their daily activities. Each lonely figure invites a response in the urban jungle, forcing those who see them to confront the thin veneer of civility that hides their inner-being". I especially like the image below of the dogs in the rubbish pile, the positions of the animals give them character and energy.

 I was thinking of doing something like this for my next project and i'll try and fit in somewhere. I like the idea of it being public and being art in a busy place rather than on a beach or in a secluded spot. If i can't fit it into a project i might just do it for fun to put it in a portfolio.