Have you noticed a big, silver, inflated thing in front of the Long Center? No, it’s not a giant bouncy castle from a carnival. Nor is it an early SXSW corporate promo venue. it’s actually a Luminaria, an inflatable sculpture you enter to be transported to a magical place, created by British art company Architects of Air,

This last weekend, a group of friends and I hit up the Architects of Air Luminaria. Even after reading all about Luminarias and watching videos on the Architects of Air site, we had no idea what to expect. What we discovered was probably one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.

When you’re inside, you totally forget about the real world. Beautiful colors bathe walls and wash over skin, making things look surreal. And veins of light flow throughout the ceiling, as if on a set for Tron.

When you are walking around inside the Luminaria, it’s kind of like walking around the inside of  a space station. There’s something clean, minimal, and airy about the structure. But it doesn’t feel fragile.

Some of the rooms soar like an Arab mosque. And the calming awe that permeated my body as I wandered from tunnel to chamber was probably what the unwashed peasants felt when they walked into a cathedral for the first time. Both magnificient and peaceful, I could understand why they quickly converted to Catholicism.

Exploring the structure really turned all of us into little kids. Lying on the floor in the big chamber, we looked at the ceiling and giggled. Other folks did some yoga poses.We wanted to fly. We pretended to be aliens and robots. We wanted to live there.

The Luminaria itself, made of a special tarp-like plastic, is handcrafted over four months. The things that look like glowing lights are actually light collectors that channel the sun light.

Planning your trip to the Architects of Air in Austin:

• Try to get a group together. Not only does it get you a little bit of a discount, if you call the Long Center, they’ll arrange for you to skip the line once your group is present.
• You’re gonna have to take off your shoes, so be sure to wear clean socks–especially if you’re one of those people who can’t stand to walk around barefoot.
• Bring a camera!!
• Get their early. The lines can be upwards of an hour to get in.
• The structure is cold in places and hot in others. Bring a hoodie.
• Go with someone who will explore and play. It’s also a great place for a date.
• You’re kids will love it–but they may be frustrated with not being able to jump on the walls or climb. Most of the kids there were super chill. I think the Luminaria has that effect.

EXPERIENCE: Architects of Air; (Thursday, 01.19; Friday 01.20); 10A-5P (Last admission at 5PM); The Long Center (701 W Riverside Dr, 78704); Tickets 8$ (For group pricing, please call 512.457.5161); More info

For more pictures, you can also check out my personal flickr page, here.

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