Joshua Allen Harris is an artist who, in 2008, created inflatable sculptures that were inflated using subway exhaust. These sculpture resembled animals and creatures, and were inflated by the exhaust pushed out of subway grates by passing subway trains.

What feature of the work could we specifically evolve into a technique for wearable kinetic sculpture or costume? 

Something I thought was interesting was how the sculpture would inflate when subway trains passed by below, and after the train had passed it would deflate. Since the sculptures resemble animals or creatures, it creates and effect where the animal looks like it comes to life when it inflates, and dies as it deflates. We could use this in our wearable kinetic sculptures/costumes to make them look as if they are a living and dying creature.

What details of the artwork or concept are not immediately apparent and how do they inform the work?

Something that wasn’t immediately apparent to me was that the sculptures we created using trash bags and shopping bags. When the sculptures are deflated, this makes them look like regular trash on the side of the street. This creates a surprising effect when they inflate, as it is unexpected.

Are there closely related works?