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Snarkitecture's giant beach-themed ball pit stars at Sydney Festival
New York design studio Snarkitecture have once again revived The Beach, their popular installation involving an indoor seaside experience and an ocean of plastic balls.
Sydney is the latest destination to host the piece, which doubles as an artwork and an attraction and was first created in 2015 for the National Building Museum in Washington D.C – where it attracted 200,000 visitors in just two months.
Taking cues from the familiar experience of a summer day at the beach, the installation utilises everyday materials, including scaffolding, panelling, and mirrors to create a sloping pit leading to an ocean of 1.1 million recyclable, antimicrobial plastic balls.
According to the designers, people of all ages are encouraged to “explore, play and relax in an immersive and extraordinary setting.”
The 60m wide shoreline offers visitors a beach-like experience, but without sand and with protection from the sun.
The attraction will be located at Barangaroo Reserve until 29 January as part of the annual Sydney Festival. This is the first time it has travelled outside the US. Previously, the Washington iteration was replicated temporarily in Tampa, Florida – where it was doubled in size.
The balls in Sydney have been transported from Tampa especially for the festival, and will be recycled locally after it is over.
Following Sydney, The Beach will continue to tour worldwide, with the next venue being announced in the next few months.