Have you ever wondered what it would be like inside a giant bouncy castle? Well wonder no more and go see the Architects of Air Luminaria down at the Lakeside Theatre, where they are premiering their Katena Luminarium.
This Nottingham based art organisation is now famous worldwide and tours internationally thanks to its founder, designer and artistic director Alan Parkinson who began this project in the 1980’s, where local school children were his first audience. You may remember early prototypes in the playing field if you went to school in Carrington back then!
However attending this year was my first experience of these wonderful pneumatic sculptures that play with your senses. At first I didn’t really see what could be so captivating about wandering around a giant plastic tent that contained no artificial lights or trickery, however from the moment I stepped through that flapping entrance I was mesmerised. The skill and vision behind each room takes you from serene to sublime. Everywhere you looked, young (and I mean a few weeks old) and old alike were being hypnotised by the different colours and patterns that surrounded them.
The Luminariam is down at the lakeside before touring internationally until 5 June, advanced tickets are sold out but head down for £4 general admission. Entrance is via 15 minute slots so be prepared for some queuing.
For more information see http://www.lakesidearts.org.uk/children-and-families/event/3183/wheee-luminarium.html
Review by Josie Opal
