The Red Line at the Salton Sea. | Photo: Courtesy of Doron Gazit.
A plump red tube snakes along the desolate shores of the Salton Sea, past abandoned bird nests, sun-bleached fish carcasses and resort town ruins. Once an inland playground for Hollywood elite, the rapidly shrinking sea nestled in the Coachella and Imperial valleys has morphed into a polluted pool inundated with algae blooms.
To environmental artist Doron Gazit, The Red Line resembles a scarlet artery. But instead of blood, it's pumping air -- the very breath of life.
I see in front of my eyes the environment is being destroyed, explained the Los Angeles-based artist and industrial designer, who originally hails from Israel. With my own language, with my medium, Im trying to draw attention to and raise awareness of all the catastrophes that are happening around us.
In his first-ever museum exhibition, Gazit explores his project The Red Line. The show, which runs April 1 through May 30 at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art, pairs photographs of Gazit's past work with an installation that winds through the museum and around its blocky exterior like a contented plastic python.
The Red Line marks the first time the museum has hosted such an art installation, exhibition and development director Ruta Saliklis said, noting that the show is part of a broader effort to focus on environmental issues. Its exciting, she said. I like seeing peoples reactions to it and talking about it.
Inflatables form a colorful rainbow, or, airbow, in the Judaean Desert in Israel. | Photo: Courtesy of Doron Gazit.
If you ask Gazit, it all began with the balloon. Specifically, his fascination with inflatables -- I dont use the b-word, he said with a laugh -- found its foundation on the streets of Jerusalem.
I used to sell twisty balloons to make my living as an industrial design student at Jerusalems Bezalel Academy of Arts, Gazit explained. Shortly after, it turned into my inspiration.
Realizing that the balloons were, in fact, three-dimensional lines that he could draw with as effectively as a pen or pencil, he developed long, flexible inflatables known as Airtubes.
In 1984, Gazit was invited to decorate the Olympic Games in Los Angeles, leading to the creation of his company Air Dimensional Design, or, AirDD. Gazits colorful Airtubes have coiled up columns at the U.S. Customs House in New York City, tethered Tokyos Fuji TV building and entwined 17 towers of metal scaffolding at a Luciano Pavarotti concert in Mexicali, Mexico; theyve also appeared at Burning Man, the World Cup, the World Expo, three Olympics and five Super Bowls.
The Red Line at the Dead Sea. | Photo: Courtesy of Doron Gazit.
Over the years, the company based in North Hollywood has branched out into all manner of inflatable shapes, from undulating scrims to waffle-patterned walls to illuminated blooms, tusks and tentacles.
I can take any environment and change it for a one-day event and make it look spectacular, said Gazit, who sees his success as proof that inflatables are no longer just for birthday clowns.
Thats something Ive had to fight for many, many years -- the preconceived notion of what is a balloon. People say its for children, its [a toy thats] good for only two hours, he said. People are now used to the idea that art is being done with glass, with metal, with wood and paper, but balloons still really stay in the category of kids parties.
At least one design popularized by AirDD wouldn't seem out of place at such a gathering.
The company holds the patent for the Fly Guys, dancing humanoid figures that debuted at the closing ceremony of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. The flailing inflatables, also known as AirDancers or SkyDancers, have since become ubiquitous at gas stations, shopping malls and used car lots; and theyve even been parodied on the animated show Family Guy.
Sculptig the wind on sand dunes in Israel. | Photo: Courtesy of Doron Gazit.
Im surprised -- Im shocked, actually -- to be [connected] to something so popular, Gazit said, noting that he no longer manufactures the Fly Guys. (Rather, he licenses the design to companies such as Above & Beyond, Inflate Co. and Look Our Way Inflatables.) Lately, hes grown less interested in the commercial aspect of his work.
I had to make my living, so I had my company. But all the time -- Im talking more than 30 years -- I did my environmental art, Gazit said. It was only for my family, my friends. I see myself now as an environmental artist coming out of the cabinet.
About nine months ago, Gazit began to work on The Red Line, which examines ecological turmoil on the ground level. Its literally drawing the line, drawing attention to the catastrophes that are happening all over the world, Gazit said. Im trying to raise the consciousness and awareness to climate change, to the drought, to global warming and also mans misuse of the environment.
Doron Gazit and an assistant install The Red Line at the San Luis Obispo Museum of Art. | Photo: Courtesy of the artist.
Although his previous works have mostly featured happy colors such as yellows, oranges and greens, Gazit said red seemed like a more appropriate hue for this project. Now I feel that I need to shout. I need to scream, he said.
Using a method he alternatively refers to as sculpting the wind and visualizing the invisible, Gazit channels air currents through 500-foot-long inflatable vinyl tubes. (Outdoor installations rely on the wind to hold their shape, while he uses a blower known as an air fountain for interior works.) He then photographs his creations before disassembling them and moving on to different sites.
When Im working in nature, nature actually turns out to be my canvas, said Gazit. As much, he seeks out visually striking backgrounds where humankinds impact on the environ
Most recent headlines
17/02/2025
TVBEurope talks to the team who brought a piece of broadcasting history back to life on BBC Wales last night
By Jenny Priestley
Published: February 14, 2025 ...
17/02/2025
Eligible studios will receive the relief directly from their local authorities, with no need to submit a claim
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 17, 20...
17/02/2025
As DEI initiatives come under pressure in the USA, supporters of Rise, which promotes diversity in the media and entertainment sector, discuss the continuing im...
17/02/2025
EIB Global loan will partially fund SES's continued O3b mPOWER medium earth orbit (MEO) fleet expansion enabling additional capacity worldwide. O3b mPOWER s...
15/02/2025
At Nielsen, Business Resource Groups (BRGs) play a critical role in nurturing a ...
15/02/2025
Innovation to empower creativity: Explore the latest in Lightroom
Rob Christensen February 15, 2025
0 Comments
Whether you want to remove distracting ...
15/02/2025
Wisycom, a worldwide leader in RF technology and provider of wireless solutions, announces a new distribution agreement with EQUAPHON. An Argentinian profession...
15/02/2025
DPA Microphones, the leading manufacturer of high-quality microphone solutions, is pleased to welcome Nicholas Nick Mariano and Vincent Vince Divine to the ...
15/02/2025
Tuxera, a leading provider of quality-assured file systems and networking solutions, will showcase how Tuxera Fusion SMB enables unprecedented performance for m...
15/02/2025
Bitmovin's latest Video Developer Report indicates an increasing role of AI, the slow adoption of next-generation codecs, and continuing challenges when it ...
15/02/2025
When Michelin Enterprises set out to promote its prestigious Hotel Guide in the new Sleepless in the Kitchen , campaign, veteran German/Slovenian gaffer Robert...
15/02/2025
Formula E, the world's first all-electric racing series, revolutionizing motorsport with cutting-edge technology and a commitment to sustainability has sele...
15/02/2025
Agile Content, a global leader in TV and video technology solutions, announces its rebranding to AgileTV.
The transition to AgileTV stems from a commitment to ...
15/02/2025
Hiltron Communications will promote the latest additions to its range of satellite communication products, systems and supporting services at GovSatCom 2025. Th...
15/02/2025
Following the success of the original Airglow Booklight, DoPchoice debuts a new addition to their inflatable line the Float. This lightweight, inflatable, round...
15/02/2025
LAS VEGAS Marshall Electronics has announced that it will debut its newest camera controller, the RCP Plus, at the 2025 NAB Show at Booth N2649 between April 5 ...
15/02/2025
ATLANTA Gray Media has named Blake Sebo as the next general manager of KTUU and KYES, Gray's NBC and CBS affiliates in Anchorage, Alaska....
15/02/2025
KOKKEDAL, Denmark DPA Microphones will feature its new CORE+ technology for distortion-free microphone sound at the 2025 NAB Show, April 5-9, in Las Vegas....
15/02/2025
SWANSEA, U.K. QuickLink will launch StudioPro-NDI and StudioPro-3, two new models of its QuickLine StudioPro video production platform, at the 2025 NAB Show, Ap...
15/02/2025
Live From 2025 NBA All-Star Game Weekend: After 25 Years, Turner Sports All-In F...
15/02/2025
NASCAR Driver Cam on Max Embraces Cloud-Based Workflow for 2025 Season Chris Brown of WBD Sports says Mobii will play key part in delivering signals from the tr...
14/02/2025
Last month, we officially launched the Spotify Partner Program, a powerful new m...
14/02/2025
From an island off the coast of Lutruwita to the global stage in France SBS & ...
14/02/2025
The future of electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) land systems is evolving so that ...
14/02/2025
Here are 5 reasons why you should attend ISE 2025
Discover more about Calrec: Learn more about Calrec's legacy of innovation in broadcast audio solutions ...
14/02/2025
World Radio Day: On the same wavelength
By Graham Murray, International Sales Manager at Calrec
To mark World Radio Day, Calrec's International Sales Ma...
14/02/2025
DALLAS and TYSONS, Va. Tegna has concluded a broadcast rights agreement that makes Tegna's KFAA in Dallas the exclusive local television partner of the Dall...
14/02/2025
Amazon's Prime Video has released a new app for Apple TV that the streamer said delivers an improved streaming experiences with faster scrolling, improved s...
14/02/2025
CLEVELAND Telos Alliance announced a software update for its Axia Quasar XR and SR line of audio-over-IP (AoIP) mixing consoles and will show the offering at th...
14/02/2025
Puget Systems Returns to HPA Tech Retreat 2025 with New Analysis Tools for Puge...
14/02/2025
Glass Animals: Tour of Earth Uses Blackmagic Live Production Workflow
Brie Clayton February 14, 2025
0 Comments
80six deploys Blackmagic URSA Broadcas...
14/02/2025
A dispute between Paramount and Youtube TV that would have pulled CBS stations and Paramount's cable channels from the streaming service has been temporaril...
14/02/2025
Colourist Deidre (Dee) McClelland details how she helped shape the distinct look and feel of whimsical Oscar-nominated stop-motion film, Memoir of a Snail
By C...
14/02/2025
BitFire said it intends to introduce forward-looking services that simplify the launch of live production workflows, and enhance real-time collaboration
By Jen...
14/02/2025
The claim by the liquidators is the latest twist in the ongoing saga of the companys collapse at the end of 2021
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: February 14, ...
14/02/2025
A carriage dispute between YouTube TV and Paramount could come to a head today (Feb. 13), with the virtual pay TV provider threatening to pull all of the progra...
14/02/2025
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. LG Electronics USA has opened a new in-house, state-of-the-art virtual production studio at its 360,000-square-foot North American headqu...
14/02/2025
NEW YORK In a bid to help local broadcasters find new ways of monetizing their content, the Coalition for Innovative Media Measurement (CIMM) and TVB have relea...
14/02/2025
WASHINGTON Three Democratic U.S. Senators have sent a stern letter blasting FCC Chair Brendan Carr for the weaponization of the agency for attacking broadcast...
14/02/2025
Years after launching the streaming service Apple TV+ in November of 2019, Apple has finally released a version of its steaming app for Android devices....
14/02/2025
FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. Red Digital Cinema will make its V-RAPTOR [X] and KOMODO-X camera systems available with Nikon's premier Z Mount, providing filmmaker...
14/02/2025
DAYTONA, Fla. The Fox Sports production of this year's Daytona 500 will see the addition of a few new tech elements and the continued unfolding of the broad...
14/02/2025
Watch Bryson Battles Blind Audition on The Voice Get a Four-Chair Turn Michael Bubl said the Boston Conservatory at Berklee musical theater senior might have...
14/02/2025
2025 Daytona 500: FOX Sports Looks To Ride Super Bowl LIX Momentum Into NASCAR S...
14/02/2025
14 Feb 2025
VEON's Kyivstar and the Come Back Alive Foundation Raise USD 2....
14/02/2025
Max Renews THE PITT, Starring Noah Wyle, For A Second Season
Max
Warner Bros. Television Group
The Pitt
New Episodes Of The Medical Drama From John...
14/02/2025
This year, Technicolor proudly celebrates 110 years of shaping the magic of cinema pioneering color, visual effects, and innovation that bring unforgettable l...
14/02/2025
NBA All-Star: More Games, More Teams, More Music, More Sound From the Court Turner Sports' team will deploy familiar tech to capture all the audio By Dan D...
14/02/2025
LIV Golf Continues To Innovate With Drones, Data-Driven Graphics, and All-Access...
The Red Line at the Salton Sea. | Photo: Courtesy of Doron Gazit. 
