Architects of Air's Daedalum Display Pops Up in The Cultural District

By Layla Joseph

An immersive and colorful luminarium will be center stage in the Cultural District until September 4, allowing Pittsburghers to experience an art exhibition like no other. 

Alan Parkinson founded Architects of Air (AoA), a UK-based company, in 1992 and since then, Parkinson’s art has reached millions of people traveling to over 40 countries across five continents.

AoA: Daedalum is currently open for the people and visitors of Pittsburgh to walk through. The exhibit was named after Daedalus, an architect who created the labyrinth for King Minos of Crete in Greek mythology. A labyrinth is similar to a maze and features passages that are difficult to navigate.

While the goal of Daedalum is not to cause confusion for its guests, the 50 yard installation features nearly 20 “egg-shaped domes whose spatial arrangement creates mysterious sight-lines,” according to the website. The caves, domes and tunnels in the inflatable use sunlight to reach the extraordinary color. 

According to AoA’s website, a team of approximately six people built the luminarium by hand using polyvinyl chloride and the Main Dome’s ceiling was created by a 600-piece pattern. 

The installation of these unique inflatables takes about four to six months to create, ensuring the safety and appearance is up to par, and will be showcased to people over the span of four years before it is dismantled and recycled. 

Hours to experience the installation are Wednesday through Friday evenings from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with extended hours Saturday and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. 

Enjoy the offerings of Pittsburgh’s Cultural District and travel into Backyard at Eighth Avenue and Penn Avenue to experience the luminarium and grab a bite from one of the food trucks set up in the Backyard. 

Tickets are priced $20 for adults and $10 for children and are available for purchase online, onsite and at the Theatre Square Box Office.