The scale of the installation The Titan and the Fireflies is gigantic, especially when you consider the medium used to create the sculptures – balloons. After seeing this exhibition you'll never think of balloons in the same way. If you have always been amazed by clowns making dogs and hats out of balloons this will be enough to send you into anaphylactic shock.

The party was a spectacle and the crowd took more photos of the work than I've ever seen at an installation. Children and adults had the same look on their faces when the stepped through the entrance. Their eyes got big and their mouths fell open. They walked and ran between and under the Titan and the fireflies (which looked like shrimp to me).

The Skybox was dark, lit only by a few prism spotlights and ambient light from the second floor. It was a bit like swimming in an aquarium with luminous creatures and small black entities darting here and there lighting at the bar and buffet.

If you want the full impact of the experience don't look at the photo slideshow or any of the process videos until you see the exhibit in person.

These are photos from the opening party.

The Titan and the Fireflies
New Work by Jason Hackenwerth
Curated by Eileen Tognini

Opening Party: Friday, October 30, 2009 7 – 10 pm
Exhibition: October 31- November 28
Gallery Hours:
Tuesday – Saturday
12 - 6 pm

The Skybox
2424 East York Street
Philadelphia, PA 19125