Glow Inflatables were delighted to collaborate with Berlin-based art collective, Slavs and Tatars on their large-scale sculpture ‘Samovar’. This was the first of three annual commissions presented in partnership with the Bagri Foundation who aim to weave traditional Asian culture with contemporary thinking.
Samovars are traditional tea brewers and they originate from Russia in the mid-18th century but are still commonly used across Eastern Europe, the Middle East and some parts of Asia.
Slavs and Tatars often use humour to tackle sensitive topics and this striking installation, in the form of a giant inflatable water boiler and teapot, was no exception. This is the largest piece designed by Slavs and Tatars so far and it serves as a symbol of the long-established culture of tea-making in Britain and its links with multiculturalism and colonialism.
The huge mirror finish samovar was made to appear to be floating through the brutalist architecture of the iconic Hayward Gallery at the Southbank Centre. The shiny silver urn sat on the ground floor level with the matching smaller teapot on the upper part of the building, both playfully overlooking the River Thames.
Slavs and Tatars really appreciated the commitment of the Glow Inflatables team and their attention to detail. They commented that the team had worked ‘tremendously hard’ to see the project through to completion and that they were grateful for our ‘professionalism and dedication throughout the project’.