A New Chapter for Inflatable Art: “POP AIR” at Arena Berlin

The traveling exhibition “POP AIR” captivated Berlin with a fresh and playful vision of inflatable art

Pop Air – Art is inflatable

The Balloon Museum proudly presented its event, “POP AIR,” which opened at Arena Berlin on December 13 and ran until April 27. After captivating more than 6 million visitors worldwide—across cities such as Rome, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Naples, New York, London, Atlanta, and Barcelona—the traveling exhibition brought a timely interpretation of inflatable art to the German capital. Visitors immersed themselves in large-scale installations and discovered new ways of interacting with art, all centered around the singular element of air.

The Berlin edition closed with an extraordinary achievement of over 300,000 visitors.

Featuring 15 international artists and a total of 17 unique creations, “POP AIR” transformed familiar materials into astonishing works designed for sensory exploration and shared experiences. Through unexpected shapes, movable structures, and direct interaction, each installation encouraged visitors to touch, discover, and engage in communal dialogue.

This approach highlighted the Balloon Museum’s innovative perspective: using art as a platform for social interaction in an unconventional and captivating format.

Since its inception, the Balloon Museum had won accolades for its original format. In “POP AIR,” visitors witnessed how air could manifest as both a tangible structural element—giving rise to towering inflatable sculptures—and an ethereal force that shaped floating atmospheres. The installations delved into every aspect of air, illustrating its monumental forms and delicate, near-otherworldly traits. Each of the 17 works redefined physical, digital, and cultural spaces through creative participation

Highlighted Artists

A diverse lineup of talents brought “POP AIR” to life:
Karina Smigla-Bobinski (POLYHEADRA), Lindsay Glatz & Curious Form (Cloud Swing), Hyperstudio (Glowing Spiral), Plastique Fantastique (Tholos), Cyril Lancelin (Knot), Motorefisico (Never Ending Story), Pepper’s Ghost (ARIA: The Breath immersive experience), Jimmy Kuehnle (Bau(ncy) Haus), Pneuhaus & Bike Powered Events (Canopy), Rub Kandy (The GINJOS), Filthy Luker (The Goofs), Eness (Together Forever), Ultravioletto (Into the Rainbow), Quiet Ensemble (Soft Hurricane, A Quiet Storm), Max Streicher (Silenus)

From interactive light installations to inflatable sculptures of monumental proportions, each piece promised a memorable, playful, and thought-provoking journey.

“The Balloon Museum is a place where art inspires emotions and invites the public to become director, actor, and spectator in an open, ever-changing dialogue.” – Roberto Fantauzzi, President of Lux Entertainment

“POP AIR” served as a vibrant homage to inflatable art, reflecting fresh artistic expressions and techniques while championing the promotion of contemporary works. It was the first exhibition fully dedicated to inflatable art, making air visible through an array of inflatable sculptures and interactive installations.

Stay Tuned

“POP AIR” at Arena Berlin has now concluded after a thrilling journey that welcomed over 300,000 visitors.
Stay tuned for upcoming projects and new adventures from the Balloon Museum, where creativity continues to take shape in ever more surprising forms.