Conceptual art is sometimes accused of lacking substance. There is at least one particular field where the detractors would be, in a technical sense, correct: inflatable art. Since the 1960s, artists have been exploring the potential to create sculptures that are at once monumental and fragile. Warhol’s Silver Clouds (1966) uses a proprietary mix of air and helium to make a scene in which metallic pillows float lazily around a room. Anish Kapoor’s abstract sculptures grow to fill vast spaces, inspiring a sense of awe and contemplation at their overwhelming scale. This story is from Kinfolk Issue Forty-Six Buy Now Related Stories Arts & Culture Issue 51 Emily Gernild The Danish painter breathing new life into an old medium. Arts & Culture Food Issue 51 Imogen Kwok The artist takes food styling quite literally, creating accessories out of fruits and vegetables. Arts & Culture Issue 50 Close Knit Meet the weavers keeping traditional Egyptian tapestry-making alive. Arts & Culture Issue 50 New Roots The Palestinian agriculture collective sowing seeds of community. Arts & Culture Issue 49 Checked Out Why is hotel art so boring? Arts & Culture Issue 49 Cult Rooms The history—and future—of Luna Luna Park.
Arts & Culture Food Issue 51 Imogen Kwok The artist takes food styling quite literally, creating accessories out of fruits and vegetables.
Arts & Culture Issue 50 Close Knit Meet the weavers keeping traditional Egyptian tapestry-making alive.
