USC in association with Insite Arts will soon present Architects of Air’s Arboria luminarium – a monumental pneumatic walk-in sculpture dedicated to the theme of ‘trees’ and designed to generate a sense of wonder at the beauty of light and colour.

The immersive and interactive sculptures of Architects of Air, designed by Alan Parkinson, have delighted audiences across the globe for 25 years. Architects of Air have toured the luminaria since 1992 in 43 countries welcoming over three million visitors at more than 600 exhibitions across five continents.

The huge, air-filled structure will be exhibited at USC’s Sippy Downs campus from 25 August to 3 September as part of the Sunshine Coast Council’s annual Horizon Festival of Arts and Culture.

The public is invited to register interest now for free tickets to Arboria at www.horizonfestival.com.au. Tickets will become available online from 14 July. The exhibition is accessible to wheelchair users and people with mobility difficulties.

Artist Alan Parkinson said each luminarium was a monument to the beauty of light and colour, offering a dazzling maze of winding paths and soaring domes inspired by Islamic and Gothic architecture.

“It’s an experience which awakens all the senses, creating a sense of wonder and enchantment for all ages as visitors are immersed in a unique sensory experience,” he said.

“In Arboria, visitors start by removing their shoes and entering an airlock. Once inside they can explore freely, follow their map through the maze or just lay back and enjoy the unique experience. Upon entering, a visitor’s first reaction is often one of delight at the unexpected beauty of the light.

 “Through labyrinthine tunnels and cavernous domes, visitors move in a medium of saturated and subtle hues. Vivid reflections of liquid colour spill across the curved walls creating a world apart from the normal and every day.”

Visitors to Arboria also will be treated to a transfixing sound experience of forest and wildlife sounds and a piano composition by soundscape ecologist and musician Alice Eldridge (www.ecila.org).

USC Vice-Chancellor Professor Greg Hill said the University had partnered with the Horizon Festival to help celebrate and foster creative talent and to highlight that people can explore their own creative genius and develop skills at USC.

Professor Hill said an estimated 10,000 people would view Arboria during its 10-day exhibition on campus.

“The Architects of Air Arboria luminarium has toured internationally and this will be a world-first for the exhibition to be displayed in a regional area,” he said.

“We believe it’s the role of our University to surprise and delight its community with new cultural and art experiences, and to expand people’s perspectives by providing things they’ve never seen before.”

— Terry Walsh