Director Alexandros Pissourios here captures the cosmic weightlessness and surreal beauty of Floating Point, the stunning new performance-based installation by United Visual Artists (UVA), the London-based visionary interactive art and design practice. Shot on location at east London’s regenerated Aske Gardens, this exclusive film captures the launch performance that took place on a sweltering summer night. The event marked the worldwide launch of FlyKnit Collective, a globally connected roll-call of artists and installations curated by art and culture guru Neville Wakefield (former senior curatorial adviser for PS1 Moma in New York and curator of Frieze Projects at Frieze London). Other members of the collective include New York’s Jenny Sabin and Tokyo’s Shigeru Ban.

UVA, inspired by Nike’s FlyKnit technology, drew on its notions of performance and lightness to create an epic, public installation made up of three audiovisually integrated trampolines, each of which triggered different sounds and lights. By solo jumping or getting involved as a team, participants’ movements create different soundscapes for the park. “We’re used to working in public spaces, but usually with institutions,” explains UVA creative director Matt Clark, referring to his practice’s work for the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Royal Academy of Arts. “This is quite free-for-all – it has to appeal to the whole community. Our installation is about creating an inclusive, playful spectacle that acts as a beacon, that brings people together. We’re pushing ourselves into new territory both with the technology and our overall approach. This project is something that we have never done before, and that’s exciting.”

The opening performance was choreographed by Ella Robson Guilfoyle, who earlier in the summer hosted workshops at 1948 London as part of the FlyKnit Collective London series, inspiring the participants to explore personal expression through movement and refined energy.

Hackney’s Aske Gardens was rejuvenated by brilliant young architect practice We Made That. Founders Oliver Goodhall and Holly Lewis brought a sustainable approach to the east London space, creating new basketball and tennis courts and providing beautifully subtle details around the park to celebrate form and function. Aske Gardens is now fully open to the public, an inspiring legacy of the monumental summer of 2012. Its sporting accessibility is in the hands of the local community to enjoy and take into the future.  

Photography by Devin Blair
Video by Alexandros Pissourios