Portfolio > Trash Bag Inflatables

ARTJAIL Gallery, new york, clive murphy - clive murphy artist
Trash bags, adhesive tape. electric air blower, automatic timing switch
2011
Triple Triangle
[Youtube]
Trash bags, adhesive tape. electric air blower, automatic timing switch
2011
clive murphy artist
Trash bags, adhesive tape. electric air blower
Dims variable
2009
clive murphy artist
Trash bags, adhesive tape. electric air blower
Dims variable
2009
clive murphy artist
Trash bags, adhesive tape. electric air blower
Dims variable
2009
clive murphy artist
Trash bags, adhesive tape. electric air blower
Dims variable
2009
clive murphy artist
Trash bags, adhesive tape. electric air blower
Dims variable
2010
I WANT TO BE YOU
[Youtube]
Trash bags, adhesive tape. electric air blower, automatic timing switch
variable
2005
clive murphy artist
Trash bags, adhesive tape. electric air blower, automatic timing switch
Dims variable
2005
clive murphy artist
Trash bags, adhesive tape. electric air blower, automatic timing switch
Dims variable
2010
clive murphy artist
Trash bags, adhesive tape. electric air blower, wood, automatic timing switch
Dims variable
2007
Index festival, new york, clive murphy - clive murphy artist
Trash bags, adhesive tape. electric air blower, automatic timing switch
Dims variable
2011
clive murphy artist
Rubberised vinyl, glue, electric air blower
16ft x 15ft x 15ft
2006

This is a an ongoing series of installation works dating from 2005 which comprise of site-specific architecturally orientated inflatable constructions created from adjoined black domestic trash bags.

A number of these works have been kinetic, where the air blower has had an automatic timer attached which makes the structures rise and fall on a pre-set cycle.

I wanted to make inflatables that didn't look like inflatables, but closer to monumental minimalist structures.

Thrash bags ended up being the perfect material as they readily accesible, both in a logistical and conceptual sense.

They are modular. A trash bag is a tube with one end sealed, open that end and add another and another you have an long tubular form

They have a weirdly metallic structural look to them when inflated,

The real trick was working out how to make the geometric corners, right angles, multiple joints, etc. I had to adopted the mindset of both an architect and a tailor and create the structures as 3D auto-cad computer designs, then build actual physical models, and then patterns like those of a dress-maker.