On the West Lawn of The Long Center from November 20-29, visitors will be in for a special treat, as Architects of Air returns for its 2015 Texas debut. The series of amazing, life-size sculptures will feature a brand new luminarium: Pentalum. It will be the third U.S. appearance for the exhibit in 2015 and the only Texas appearance.
Visitors will be able to walk into the inflatable structure, where they can “experience a spectacular and surreal world, spending up to 30 minutes touring the visually stunning interiors of the luminarium. Light and color combine for an intense experience that lends itself to meditation, relaxation and fun,” according to a Long Center release.
Nearly 10,000 people visited the exhibit last year, in only one week. The exhibit transforms the Austin skyline and is visible from across the city, including downtown Austin and all along Lady Bird Lake and the trails.
The next-generation Pentalum Luminarium is said to be the most visually exciting luminarium ever built, as well as having enhancements in modularity, safety, and control. “A celebration of the beauty of geometry,” luminarium are based on the Platonic solid, the dodecahedron, and the variants subsequently described by Archimedes and Catalan. Designer Alan Parkinson favors these forms because they don’t have symmetrical axes to settle the viewer into the space and, therefore, complement a sense of discovery.
Architects of Air grew from a theatre project for people with learning disabilities and is designed to be appreciated by all ages and abilities, including wheelchair users and the elderly.
The H.E.B. sponsored-event will be open to the public November 20-29, except for Thanksgiving Day. It will be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekends. Tickets may be purchased from the Long Center, same day as entrance, for $12 per adult, $8 for ages 3-17, and free for children under 2.
Top photo by Jeroen van Zwieten. Bottom photo by Ian Allen. Both pictures courtesy the Long Center.