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‘Air’
Nov 2022 - Apr 2023

Tomás Saraceno b.1973 / Drift: A cosmic web of thermodynamic rhythms 2022 / Dimensions and installation variable / Purchased 2022 with funds from the Neilson Foundation through the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Foundation / Collection: QAGOMA / © Tomás Saraceno / GOMA, March 2023 / Photograph: J Ruckli, QAGOMA

Expansive and inspiring, ‘Air’ at GOMA showcases more than 30 significant Australian and international artists, reflecting the vitality of our shared atmosphere. ‘Air’ draws together the work of artists from Australia and across the globe over five chapters, giving shape to the invisible and exploring our reliance on this unique mix of gases.

Featuring beautiful and breathtaking moments, ‘Air’ is anchored by an expansive canopy of gently moving, giant air-filled spheres from artist Tomás Saraceno — in his most ambitious works to date. Iconic Gallery Collection favourites including Ron Mueck’s monumental human sculpture In bed, Anthony McCall’s enveloping installation Crossing and Jonathan Jones’s lyrical evocation of wind, breath and bird call, untitled (giran) offer deeply immersive experiences.


 

‘Air’ was held in GOMA’s Gallery 1.1 (The Fairfax Gallery), Gallery 1.2 & Gallery 1.3 (Eric and Marion Taylor Gallery) from 26 November 2022 to 23 April 2023. Visit the full Collection Online feature to learn more.

 

Feature image: Tomás Saraceno's Drift: A cosmic web of thermodynamic rhythms 2022 installed at GOMA for ‘Air’, March 2023 / © Tomás Saraceno / Photograph: J Ruckli, QAGOMA

Collection artworks featured in ‘Air’

Artwork Black Cloud this artwork made of 30 000 black laser-cut and handfolded paper butterflies (30 different butterfly and moth species in five sizes with a wave wing pattern), created in 2007-01-01

Black Cloud 2007/2018
Artwork In bed this artwork made of Mixed media, created in 2005-01-01

In bed 2005
Artwork Mallacoota fires in the sky 3 (from 'Mallacoota fires in the sky' series) this artwork made of Inkjet print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag paper, created in 2020-01-01

Mallacoota fires in the sky 3 (from 'Mallacoota fires in the sky' series) 2020
Artwork Mallacoota fires in the sky 6 (from 'Mallacoota fires in the sky' series) this artwork made of Inkjet print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag paper, created in 2020-01-01

Mallacoota fires in the sky 6 (from 'Mallacoota fires in the sky' series) 2020
Artwork We do not all breathe the same air (inner-city, Melbourne) this artwork made of Carbon and soot (PM2.5, PM10) filter paper, created in 2022-01-01

We do not all breathe the same air (inner-city, Melbourne) 2022
Artwork Biosphere this artwork made of Woven nylon rope, acrylic, created in 2009-01-01

Biosphere 2009
Artwork Rainbow herbicides this artwork made of Graphite and spray paint on Canson paper, laminated and mounted on aluminium, Queensland maple frame, created in 2018-01-01

Rainbow herbicides 2018
Artwork At Victoria Mill, North Queensland this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1978-01-01

At Victoria Mill, North Queensland 1978, printed 1987
Artwork Saraji mine (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1986-01-01

Saraji mine (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) 1986
Artwork Escalator site at Parliament Station, Melbourne this artwork made of Type C photograph on paper, created in 1977-01-01

Escalator site at Parliament Station, Melbourne 1977, printed 1994
Artwork Night and mirrors this artwork made of Oil, silver and palladium relief, pearl on linen, created in 1999-01-01

Night and mirrors 1999-2000
Artwork Tall pine and stubby palm this artwork made of Pencil on sketch paper, created in 1914-01-01

Tall pine and stubby palm c.1914-17
Artwork Garden steps with climbing plant this artwork made of Pencil on paper, created in 1910-01-01

Garden steps with climbing plant c.1915
Artwork Untitled (storm series) this artwork made of Pigments on mylar, created in 2018-01-01

Untitled (storm series) 2018
Artwork Chalk Fall this artwork made of Chalk on blackboard, created in 2018-01-01

Chalk Fall 2018
Artwork Crossing this artwork made of Two double video projections (20 minutes), haze machine and sound, created in 2016-01-01

Crossing 2016
Artwork Mallacoota fires in the sky 2 (from 'Mallacoota fires in the sky' series) this artwork made of Inkjet print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag paper, created in 2020-01-01

Mallacoota fires in the sky 2 (from 'Mallacoota fires in the sky' series) 2020
Artwork Mallacoota fires in the sky 5 (from 'Mallacoota fires in the sky' series) this artwork made of Inkjet print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag paper, created in 2020-01-01

Mallacoota fires in the sky 5 (from 'Mallacoota fires in the sky' series) 2020
Artwork Mallacoota fires in the sky 8 (from 'Mallacoota fires in the sky' series) this artwork made of Inkjet print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag paper, created in 2020-01-01

Mallacoota fires in the sky 8 (from 'Mallacoota fires in the sky' series) 2020
Artwork Biosphere 02 this artwork made of PVC, woven nylon rope, nylon monofilament, acrylic, Tillandsia plants, air pressure regulator system, hydration system, created in 2009-01-01

Biosphere 02 2009
Artwork Drift: A cosmic web of thermodynamic rhythms this artwork made of 15 Aerocene spheres, transparent and metallic mylar, tape, pump with overpressure release, polyester rope, kinetic system Aerocene station: Newspaper, pamphlets, books, photographic prints on paper, ripstop fabric, sensing device, gloves, rope Aerocene backpack: Ripstop balloon, canvas backpack, sensing devices, research materials, created in 2022-01-01

Drift: A cosmic web of thermodynamic rhythms 2022
Artwork Origin II (Burning of the Houses) this artwork made of Custom environmental chamber (reactive electronic system, compressor, valves, 3D printed elements, aluminium, acrylic, LED light, glass, wood, paint), organic and synthetic pigments, diatomaceous earth, FX dust, felt, created in 2019-01-01

Origin II (Burning of the Houses) 2019
Artwork Blackwater mine (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1986-01-01

Blackwater mine (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) 1986
Artwork Mount Isa mine (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1986-01-01

Mount Isa mine (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) 1986
Artwork Saraji mine (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1986-01-01

Saraji mine (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) 1986
Artwork Untitled (Central Australian landscape) this artwork made of Watercolour and pencil on paper, created in 1950-01-01

Untitled (Central Australian landscape) c.1955-59
Artwork Palm; Creepers on rocks this artwork made of Pencil on sketch paper, created in 1914-01-01

Palm; Creepers on rocks c.1914-17
Artwork Bamboos near corner of Park and River Roads; Trees in Milton this artwork made of Pencil on sketch paper, created in 1915-01-01

Bamboos near corner of Park and River Roads; Trees in Milton c.1915-16
Artwork has not been digitised or not available due to pending copyright clearence, thus not currently available online

untitled (giran) 2018
Artwork Mallacoota fires in the sky 1 (from 'Mallacoota fires in the sky' series) this artwork made of Inkjet print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag paper, created in 2020-01-01

Mallacoota fires in the sky 1 (from 'Mallacoota fires in the sky' series) 2020
Artwork Mallacoota fires in the sky 4 (from 'Mallacoota fires in the sky' series) this artwork made of Inkjet print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag paper, created in 2020-01-01

Mallacoota fires in the sky 4 (from 'Mallacoota fires in the sky' series) 2020
Artwork Mallacoota fires in the sky 7 (from 'Mallacoota fires in the sky' series) this artwork made of Inkjet print on Canson Platine Fibre Rag paper, created in 2020-01-01

Mallacoota fires in the sky 7 (from 'Mallacoota fires in the sky' series) 2020
Artwork Biosphere this artwork made of PVC, woven nylon rope, acrylic, air pressure regulator system, created in 2009-01-01

Biosphere 2009
Artwork Biosphere 05 cluster this artwork made of PVC, woven nylon rope, acrylic, air pressure regulator system, created in 2009-01-01

Biosphere 05 cluster 2009
Artwork Origin I (A Stag Drinking) this artwork made of Custom environmental chamber (reactive electronic system, compressor, valves, 3D printed elements, aluminium, acrylic, LED light, glass, wood, paint), organic and synthetic pigments, diatomaceous earth, FX dust, felt, created in 2019-01-01

Origin I (A Stag Drinking) 2019
Artwork Origin III (Snow Storm) this artwork made of Custom environmental chamber (reactive electronic system, compressor, valves, 3D printed elements, aluminium, acrylic, LED light, glass, wood, paint), organic and synthetic pigments, diatomaceous earth, FX dust, felt, created in 2019-01-01

Origin III (Snow Storm) 2019
Artwork Mount Isa mine (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1986-01-01

Mount Isa mine (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) 1986
Artwork Saraji mine (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) this artwork made of Gelatin silver photograph on paper, created in 1986-01-01

Saraji mine (from 'Journeys north' portfolio) 1986
Artwork pillow for the dead this artwork made of Silk organza, thread, air on medium density fibreboard painted pedestal with perspex cover, created in 1998-01-01

pillow for the dead 1998
Artwork Moreton Bay Fig at Milton, figure under tree this artwork made of Pencil on paper, created in 1912-01-01

Moreton Bay Fig at Milton, figure under tree c.1912-17
Artwork Tree studies this artwork made of Pencil on sketch paper, created in 1914-01-01

Tree studies c.1914-17
Artwork Untitled (cloud series) this artwork made of Pigments on mylar, created in 2018-01-01

Untitled (cloud series) 2018

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A photograph of someone kayaking under a red post-bushfire sky.

AIR

2022–23