NAKED CITY: THE INCREDIBLE INFLATABLES!
The news that the Sydney Festival will install a life-size inflatable replica of Stonehenge as part of its Festival Village has created apoplexy amongst both jumping castle fans and the local Neo-Druid population. Luckily the installation will not be there for the winter solstice and just as well, as we would then be faced with an invasion of crazies, maddies and revellers from all over the world.
The blow-up Stonehenge follows in the wake of the giant yellow rubber ducky, a massive hit at the 2013 festival and back again in 2014 for a reprise performance at Darling Harbour. The ‘duck’ has not been without its controversy, deflating in Hong Kong harbour in May of this year and again only a month ago in Taiwan when its pump malfunctioned during an earthquake. Whether it pulls the same stunt in Sydney remains to be seen.
As history has shown us, giant inflatables like the ill-fated Hindenberg are not without their risks. Even lesser structures such as kiddies jumping castles have been known to blow away (children included) during sudden gusts of wind, landing miles away in neighbouring suburbs. Having said that, the Sydney Festival’s Stonehenge installation is bound to be well anchored to the ground and hopefully not prone to sudden deflation. It will definitely be shoes and stilettos off if you want to experience the primal leaping experience and small vicious dogs with exceptionally sharp teeth need to be kept well at bay.
Should we experience cyclonic conditions in January, (hey, anything is possible the way the weather is), and should the entire ‘henge’ installation become airborne (heading in the direction of Tasmania), we are confident that global positioning technology will keep us in the loop. Imagine the excitement as a flying Stonehenge blows its way down the eastern seaboard with thousands assembling at strategic points to get a glimpse of this flying wonder. Tracking it on the internet would only be part of the fun – watching it shot down over the Museum Of Old & New Art in Hobart (as an aviation hazard) would be a fitting climax.
Like everything these days imitators follow any successful innovation so expect to see a flood of massive inflatables out to out-wow both ‘henge’ and ‘ducky’. Why battle altitude sickness trying to reach Machu Picchu when the Inca wonder could be recreated as part of the 2015 Sydney Festival? Perhaps filling in the huge hole about to occupy the proposed civic square site opposite the Town Hall when Woolies and the surrounding buildings are demolished.
Gilligan’s Island in Taylor Square would look fab with a giant blow up Statue of Liberty and a set of inflatable Egyptian pyramids (the Sphinx included) would not look out of place in the forecourt of the Opera House with camel rides optional. The possibilities are endless and should air pumps malfunction at any time, a selection of Sydney shock jocks and tabloid provocateurs could be invited to supply the necessary hot air!
