Steve Messam’s inflatable installations highlight how landscapes and architecture shape communities and culture — Colossal



History of artistic design

#architecture #inflatable #installation #landscapes #public art #sculpture #Steve Messam

Whether coaxing new life out of derelict structures in sprawling landscapes or drawing attention to modest urban features, Steve Messam it causes changes of perspective and new ways of seeing our surroundings. County Durham-based artist creates site-specific, inflatable systems that recontextualize ruins, statues or majestic architectures in temporary public sculptures. Working internationally, many of his projects also focus on locations around his home in the north of England, drawing attention to landscapes steeped in history whose relics are easy to overlook.

Messam plays with the concepts of visual landmarks and follies in his series Architect of the Ruins, highlighting a handful of crumbling remains around Weardale and Teesdale, ranging from the Second World War forts to disused railway bridges to crumbling industrial remains. “By highlighting these often overlooked structures, the project aims to reveal the narrative layers that make up the history of the landscape, from mining and agriculture to the transformative effect of railways and the role of landowners,” he says.

In another recent work, « Belltower », the artist draws attention to the recognizable House Bell Turret of ushaw in Durham, which has “more go up architecture than you can wave a gothic stick,” says Messam.

“Belltower” (2020), Ushaw Historic House and Gardens, Durham, UK

Opting for a more modern canvas, Messam created « Crested », part of Blow Up Art The Hague—atop a contemporary underground garage entrance, playing with language and form to create a pointed, abstract crown. His installations for the program last fall interpreted historical landmarks and this year he wanted to reframe something clearly not historical. « A crest is something you have on a bird—something on top of a head—but it’s also the whiteness of a wave when it breaks, » she says. “It doesn’t get any more ‘not noteworthy’ than entering an underground car park.” By installing huge red spikes atop a functional building designed for camouflage, Messam gives it “the moment of him,” transforming an unassuming structure into a focal point.

Blow Up Art The Hague continues until May 28 and the series Dating TO Bicester Village remains visible until June. It also has four new pieces a Clerkenwell Design Week later in the month, and the National Railway Museum in York will unveil a new permanent installation in July. See other works on his website, Instagramand a growing archive of projects on Video.

“Cottage” (2022), Killhope Lead Mining Museum, County Durham, UK

Part of ‘Architect of Ruins’ (2020), Weardale and Teesdale, County Durham, UK

“Cottage” (2022), Killhope Lead Mining Museum, County Durham, UK

“Star” (2022), Killhope Lead Mining Museum, County Durham, UK

Part of ‘Architect of Ruins’ (2020), Weardale and Teesdale, County Durham, UK

“Belltower” (2020), Ushaw Historic House and Gardens, Durham, UK

Part of ‘Architect of Ruins’ (2020), Weardale and Teesdale, County Durham, UK

“Bungalow” (2023), Sassoon Docks, Mumbai, India

Part of ‘Encounters’ (2023), Bicester Village, UK

#architecture #inflatable #installation #landscapes #public art #sculpture #Steve Messam

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