Giant, illuminated egg inflatables become a dazzling spectacle at the Perth Festival.

Background

Perth Festival is a not-for-profit multi-arts festival that brings world-class performance, music, film, visual arts and literary events every summer to Perth, Western Australia.

The festival has celebrated Perth, its people and culture on the Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River) shores for nearly 70 years as Australia’s longest-running arts festival.

The Design and Fabrication

Imagine a colossal inflatable egg, weighing in at a staggering 118 kg and crafted from over 200 square meters of material! This impressive feat of engineering was fast-tracked for production, completed in late September just in time for its grand debut at the Perth Festival. Despite its massive size, the design remained delightfully simple – a timeless egg shape. The colossal inflatable egg at the Perth Festival wasn’t just a giant white orb. It was a marvel of design and fabrication.

A 3D model helped visualize the final product and calculate material needs. High-quality, lightweight PVC fabric was chosen for durability and printability, then meticulously cut using computer-controlled machines based on the model’s precise pattern. Every seam underwent rigorous inspection before a silent, high-capacity fan system was integrated for inflation. To achieve a fast-track production schedule, overlapping design and fabrication stages along with readily available components were key. Finally, the colossal egg received a final inspection, cleaning, and perhaps even a custom paint job before gracing the Perth Festival with its awe-inspiring presence.

The Results

The egg presented a stunning spectacle on its own, dwarfing the human scale. Upon its installation at the Perth Festival, the display was awe-inspiring, sitting upon a net-like cradle with lights and projections.