Opening today on Paddle8 is the Eighth Annual BAMart Silent Auction with all proceeds going to support their dynamic and innovative programs. Brooklyn Curated by BAM is our editorial project inspired by the borough as a creative ground for artists past and present.
When engineer and artist Billy Klüver first introduced Warhol to the material Scotchpack, a metalized plastic film primarily used for packaging food, the pop-artist reportedly reacted by saying, “Let’s make clouds.” The resulting piece, entitled Silver Clouds (1966), is an otherworldly installation of helium and oxygen filled pillow-shaped balloons, floating seamlessly through the Leo Castelli Gallery. Carried only by the natural air currents of the space, the reflective-pillows move and come to life in the room, say hello, and touch and interact with the audience.
Inspired by the buoyancy of the artwork and the element of human interaction, Cunningham, who viewed Silver Clouds with Jasper Johns, described how he “immediately thought [the installation] would be marvellous on stage.” The resulting work, entitled RainForest (1968), featured original choreography by Cunningham, costume design by Jasper Johns, and set design by Warhol. The piece, which was recently re-performed in BAM’s Legacy Tour, allowed six dancers to interact, mold, and shape the space with the floating decor. It’s hard not to think about the childlike gentleness, innocence and fantasy of merely dancing amongst friendly clouds!
Check out another exclusive video courtesy of the BAM Hamm Archives of RainForest and be sure to check out more selections on the Eighth Annual BAMart’s Silent Auction including a selection of original Andy Warhol Polaroids of Keith Haring, Truman Capote and Dolly Parton. For more Brooklyn inspirations, view our Tumblr page and Brooklyn Curated by BAM.