‘Balloon Swing’ is a playful temporary sculpture which engages families at the Socrates Sculpture Park. The colourful & flamboyant hot-air balloon, tethered to the ground, supports a simple rope swing, allowing children a unique & memorable ride within the protection of the surrounding trees.

The Socrates Sculpture park sits beside the East River in Long Island City NY, containing a diversity of spaces, both open and sheltered. A destination very popular with families.

The installation gains its inspiration from a protective grove of trees on the site, a perfect place for children to play; a family comfortably enjoying a picnic in the shade. The sculpture sits in the center of a small clearing in the trees, providing a swing for children to enjoy.

Using a economy of means, the proposal borrows 70% of its infrastructure from the vibrant hot air ballooning community of NY. This move simplifies construction, the sculptures complexity captured within the existing balloon. Reductions in cost & wastage are also achieved, the balloon unit & tanks borrowed and returned, with ropes and supports donated.

The ‘Balloon Swing’ provides a beautiful high impact sculpture, as well as utilitarian swing. Its colour and associations to play & childhood adding to the parks identity & sense of place.