norton flavel inflates massive wine cask bag on australian beach

norton flavel inflates massive wine cask bag on australian beach
(above) image courtesy of sculpture by the sea

australian artist norton flavel has inflated ‘bulk carrier’ on the waterfront of cottesloe beach in perth, australia, its thin, glistening skin silently swaying on the sandy shore. created for the 2014 sculpture by the sea, flavel’s towering installation takes the form of a wine cask bag, an australian invention popular throughout the continent, complete with a mouthpiece and screw-on cap. the drink pouch both celebrates the artist’s cultural connotations and the medium he traditionally works with — the flexible silver pocket is like the metals flavel frequently creates with. ‘bulk carrier’ stands as a symbol of big things — like vast cargo ships packed with merchandise — and the effect of consumerism — all the objects and items we keep and carry around. at a massive scale, the huge ballooned volume soars over visitors, juxtaposing the powdery sands and bright blue water it stretches across, and engages adults and children alike with its witty sense of style.

visitors to cottesloe beach in perth, australia interact with ‘bulk carrier’
image courtesy of sculpture by the sea

the sculpture of a wine cask bag is complete with a mouthpiece and cap
photo by jessica wyld / image courtesy of sculpture by the sea

inflated on the sandy shores
photo by jessica wyld / image courtesy of sculpture by the sea

the outdoor artwork engages visitors on a cultural and creative level
photo by jarred seng / image courtesy of sculpture by the sea

the silvery pillow, reflecting the sunset on the beach
photo by jarred seng / image courtesy of sculpture by the sea