At ICD Brookfield Place in Dubai, an array of cheerful inflatables hangs from a vaulted ceiling, forming a lively suspended display of colorful shapes. This engaging installation, named “Under the Sun,” is the latest creation by the artistic pair Craig & Karl.
“Our goal was to encapsulate the warmth, vibrancy, and joy of summer into a single space, allowing it to be experienced within the expansive summer garden atrium. It’s a method to bring the season inside,” the duo explains about their work. The display features hot-weather essentials such as flowers, beach balls, inner tubes, and a glowing sun.
This immersive piece is part of Craig & Karl’s Mateys series, featuring a vivid array of inflatable characters. Whether they appear on a bridge or hang from a ceiling like in Dubai, these expressive figures add a playful and whimsical touch to often-overlooked architecture.
Despite living in separate cities—Craig is in New York, and Karl is in London—they continue to collaborate globally. Their projects evolve through a dynamic exchange of ideas, with each contributing and building upon the other’s concepts until they find the right fit. This working relationship is strengthened by their college days spent in the same studio, which established a lasting trust and bond crucial to their current practice.
Follow Craig & Karl and their international projects on Instagram.
