Balloon Box - 1971
Sculpture (interactive)
Found wooden crate, polyethylene sheet, vacuum cleaner motor, electric switch
Dimensions of chest: 24” x 32” x 24”
Dimensions with balloon inflated: 48” x 48” x 96”
Collection: Vancouver Art Gallery
I made this piece in my fourth year at UBC. I wanted a work that responded to your intervention in such a way that it was evident you had done something, something changed and you have to live with the consequences of your action. Here the viewer opens the wooden chest, activating a fan buried inside the box which inflates a large polyethylene bag. The bag is approximately 4 x 4 x 8 feet and consumes a considerable amount of space. Once inflated the fan stops and the bag slowly deflates. An attendant then has to repack the bag into the box. Most of the parts are found materials. I am starting to use objects and materials we are all familiar with. This is also the first piece where I use electricity.