Get blown away! Pop Air from Rome floats into Singapore until August 2025
Explore whimsical and magical inflatable art at Pop Air till the end of August 2025!
WHAT: Pop Air – Art is Inflatable
WHEN: Until August 31, 2025
Sunday to Thursday, 10 AM to 7.30 PM
Friday, 10 AM to 8.30 PM
Saturday, 10 AM to 9.30 PM
WHERE: Exhibition Hall F, Basement 2, Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands
TICKETS: Buy here.
Weekdays: S$45 (adults), S$40 (teens), S$35 (kids 4–12)
Weekends/PH: S$60 (adults); S$50 (teens), S$45 (kids)
– Media from balloon_museum
When I first heard that Pop Air – Art is Inflatable was coming to Singapore, I was already mentally clearing out my calendar. This touring exhibition by The Balloon Museum in Rome caused quite a stir in Europe, and now, it’s finally drifted to our shores and is hovering until the end of August!
It opened last June 7 at Marina Bay Sands’ Bayfront Pavilion. It features 17 installations in total and is a full-blown (pun unintended!) immersive playground for the senses.
I made sure to explore every corner, and here are my favourite highlights (though honestly, every room has something worth lingering over).
“Soft Hurricane,” The Poetry of Air
– Media from balloon_museum
You don’t need complete interactivity to be completely mesmerised by this piece. Soft Hurricane is one of those installations that pulls you into a kind of meditative trance without much effort.
Picture soft balloons hovering atop air vents, choreographed by invisible currents of air and light. The balloons dip and bounce slowly to ambient music in a strangely hypnotic rhythm. Touching the balloons is allowed, but chances are you’ll want to simply sit and watch this graceful air ballet.
“Hypercosmo,” A Ball Pit for the Bold
– Media from balloon_museum
Forget everything you know about ball pits before entering this zone. Hypercosmo is massive, like a full-size swimming pool, but filled with glowing transparent balls that light up the entire room. It was easily one of the most popular zones in the entire exhibit.
I watched a group of adults giggling like kids, “swimming” through or staging slow-motion dives for the ‘gram. There’s also a mini light show that happens periodically, where suspended orb lights above pulse and shift in time to the music.
Do note that shoe covers will be provided for hygienic reasons, and staff will remind you to empty your pockets so you won’t lose anything in the pit. There’s no jumping in, either; small ladders provide graceful entry into the installation.
“Aria,” Reflections and Revelations
– Media from balloon_museum
As far as first impressions go, Aria delivers. It’s the very first room in the exhibition, and easily one of the most photogenic. You step into a mirrored space (take care to wear trousers, not skirts!) where projected rainbow balloons stretch across every surface.
As the music swells, the visuals morph in shape and intensity, until finally, a face made of balloons slowly materialises from the projection. It’s eerie and beautiful all at once and is honestly unforgettable (and Instagrammable!).
“Crazy Love for Polygons,” Just Like Inflatable Lego!
– Media from victor_zhuo
Imagine a room full of bouncy, oversized pentagon balloons, basically gigantic Lego pieces meeting inflatable sculpture. In Crazy Love for Polygons, you’re free to stack, toss, arrange, or rearrange them into whatever wild structure your inner child dreams up.
I built a balloon fort and a wobbly tunnel and started a geometric (but gentle) pillow fight with my friends! There’s no wrong way to play here, and that’s the beauty of this kinetic, colourful, and fully interpretative installation.
“Cloud Swing,” A Dreamy Glide Through Sunset Skies
– Media from tatlersingapore
Cloud Swing is all about nostalgia done right. Suspended beneath glowing orbs that shift colour with your movements, these swings invite you to languidly drift back to simpler times.
Set against a pastel, sunset-like backdrop, the whole space feels weightless and calm, like floating through a cotton-candy sky. I love the absence of gimmickry here and enjoyed the gentle, joyful pause in the middle of all the action.
“A Quiet Storm,” Smoke and Silence
– Media from balloon_museum
I wasn’t expecting one of the most subtle installations to leave such a strong impression on me. A Quiet Storm is set in a darkened chamber, with a single spotlight illuminating the space. Bubbles drift softly around you, but there’s a twist.
When these bubbles pop, they release little trails of smoke that spiral and fade like ghosts. It’s a quiet, contemplative moment in a show that’s otherwise playful and vibrant. It’s also the perfect breather between all the high-energy zones.
“Swing,” A Chain Reaction You Can Dance With
– Media from victor_zhuo
Swing turns a room full of suspended black and white balls into a gigantic kinetic sculpture. Each ball hangs from an elastic cord, and with just a light push, you set off a mesmerising ripple effect with balls bouncing, spinning, and colliding in rhythm.
It’s oddly satisfying to watch the chaos unfold, especially when multiple people join in. But do watch for small kids wandering into the middle, as the bouncing balls are big enough to sweep them off their feet!
“Glowing Ballet,” Chaos, Calm, and Ultraviolet Swirls
– Media from victor_zhuo
If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to stand in the eye of a balloon storm, Glowing Ballet has the answer. Picture dozens of UV-printed balloons caught in a whirlwind of shifting air—sometimes they swirl violently like a tornado, other times they drift like dancers in slow motion.
The glow-in-the-dark patterns add to the visual magic, especially when caught under the blacklight. For that dreamy photo op, stand right in the centre and wait for a gentle breeze (bear in mind that the balloons sometimes pop, in case you get easily startled!).
“ADA,” The Art That Moves With You
– Media from ariana.sky.walker
Out of all the installations, ADA is the one that made me feel most like a co-creator. It looks simple at first glance: a giant helium balloon lazily drifting through a white room. But get closer and you’ll notice it’s covered in spiky charcoal extensions.
As the balloon floats and bounces around, it leaves smoky, abstract trails on the walls, turning the entire space into a living canvas. You’re encouraged to interact with it; push, gently swat, or nudge it along for spontaneous charcoal drawings (just wear something that charcoal won’t smudge or stain!).
More Bouncy Highlights
– Media from stanley_chee
Beyond the headliners, a few other gems stood out to me. Bau(ncy) Haus is an inflatable maze lit up with shifting LED colours, while Spiritus Sonata was pure joy for my little nephews and nieces with its cuddly-looking inflatable creatures that light up and “breathe” with pulsing colour.
And then there’s Silenus, a quiet contrast to the rest. This still sculpture of a man appears to be asleep, but if you look closely, you’ll notice the gentle rise and fall of his breath. It was meditative for me and reflective of the fragility of life.
After the final installation, swing by the Flower Bar for a quirky souvenir. A small flower balloon costs S$10, while intricate animal designs go from S$15 to S$30.
If you find your breath taken away by all that whimsical and thought-provoking inflatable exhibition, take a breather at The Balloon Bar and grab a cappuccino or some refreshing passion fruit tea or beer. There are also tasty bites like curry puffs, brownies, ham and cheese wraps, and sweets like cakes and doughnuts to bite into.
Before you head out, make a quick detour to the gift shop like I did. It’s packed with fun merch like soft toys, hoodies, colourful stationery, keychains, and even Balloon Museum-themed Rubik’s Cubes.
So yes, the hype holds up at Pop Air for those wanting to indulge in true experiential and visually stunning contemporary art. Think of it as a gallery, playground, and dreamscape rolled into one. And yes, I’ll probably go again before August ends!