EB, A2 and me making our way through the Luminarium.
The Architects of Air came through Austin with the newest rendition of the Luminarium, Exxopolis. Apparently this happens annually, as a gal in line informed me. A gal in the two-hour line, I might add. But it was worth it to spend our allotted 20 minutes cruising around inside of an inflatable wonderland.
A murky day, and a long wait, but it was worth it. The Luminarium is in the background.
Almost to the front of the line 1.5 hours later.
Toy Joy was at least there to give the kids something to do. A race!
At least A2 slept the whole time.
The airlock.
We tried to go the first weekend – twice – but the first time flopped because we waited until after Eebs woke up from nap and the Luminarium volunteers deemed it “at capacity” since the length of the line indicated that by the time you got inside, it would be closed. It closed at 5 everyday because the wonder of the experience is reliant on sunlight. Behold.
Only 4 colors of plastic, but so many colors inside.
The center pod.
Luminarium details by Hubs.
Luminarium details by Hubs.
We tried to go a second time but thought the line would be too long to keep a toddler happy, so we pushed our visit to a third and final try this past weekend. We got there before it opened at 10 am and, cheese and rice, the line was still out of control, even on an overcast day. I worried that we would wait in the almost-rain and it wouldn’t be as cool inside, but somehow, it was still glorious.
Cathedral in the Luminarium.
Inside the Luminarium cathedral.
Luminarium details by Hubs.
EB testing out the integrity of the walls.
I read somewhere that it feels like being in a womb. Yes. I felt that. The ambient music made you want to nestle in a stare at the unique spaces and colors, hues created from only 4 different colored plastic. EB was amazed, and it was hard to keep her from trying to rock the inflatable walls like a bouncy castle/moonwalk. Everyone in there spoke in hushed voices, and had a look of awe on their face.
Maxing and relaxing.
Hubs taking pictures with the better camera…until it ran out of juice. The blur is EB, obvs.
Everyone, except for this amazon gal with too much makeup and her boyfriend taking pictures of her in every room/pod. They were a spectacle trying to be a spectacle. ”Are you looking at me posing big and pseudo-modelly?”–Amazon. ”Yes, but not because I want to.”–Me. It was like eavesdropping because someone wants to be overheard and there’s nothing you can do to focus on what you’re doing so you end up hating yourself for giving them the attention they so dearly want. This happened to us on a plane to Germany once with the Band, Panic at the Disco, sitting right behind us. But I digress.
Me and A2.
Luminarium details by Hubs.
Magic, beauty, wonder; it’s amazing what a well-designed space will invoke in an audience, be they young or old, or in between. Go check it out to see when it’ll be hitting up your city. Go early, be patient, and let your kids run around while one person in your party holds the place in line. It will only be in each city for a short time, so don’t miss your chance. The twenty minutes inside will be so worth that $10 entrance fee, if just for the photos. Oh, and make sure you charge your camera and empty off your phone so you don’t just end up with a handful of pics like us. (Yes, this is a “handful” to me.)
Illuminated Jells.
Ed. note – I know I promised a tutorial on how to make an organizer wallet on my FB post last night, but I want to make another one, so the measurements might change. Soon, my pretties.
I wanna go.
PS I’m a horrible eavesdropper. I’m not even subtle about it. I’m a bad person.
Oh, I’m not saying I don’t eavesdrop. I do. All the time. I just don’t want some to WANT me to eavesdrop. Then I’ll have nothing to do with them.
EXactly.
That is like the raddest thing I’ve ever seen. Was this up when we were there? I’m guessing not. Omg the colors! I wanna go. I guess it’s a good excuse to come back?!
It was only up for two weekends. Here’s a handy cut + paste, but I think you’re SOL unless you’re planning a trip soon.
Double Texas? Don’t they know that Austin and Houston are close together and they might’ve wanted to route the tour a little differently?
19 – 27 January 2013 Austin, Texas
7 – 21 February 2013 Muscat, Oman
9 – 16 February 2013 Helsingborg – Sweden
28 April – 5 May 2013 Exxopolis Houston. Texas
9 – 11 May 2013 Cleveland, Ohio
15 -19 May 2013 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
27 May – 2 June 2013 Miracoco Nottingham – UK
10 – 13 July 2013 Annecy, France
22 Aug – 2 Sept 2013 St Paul, Minesota
Hmm never mind. I think I’ll go to the one in Sweden. Much more convenient.
That looks like the neatest thing EVER. And damn it, I don’t see it anywhere closer to me than Houston.
It’s the craziest tour I’ve ever seen. Who do they think they are, Bjork?
There is nothing on this earth that would cause me to enter that queue. There is bound to be an excellent art gallery that has to be empty since all the people are in that line. Or a nearby mountain to be hiked.
And all the colours didn’t frighten the bejapers out of the kids, no ?.
Not freaky, don’t worry. Maybe if someone were on psychedelics they’d get freaked out, but it was like being in a tent the size of a large building, but with rounded edges. Everything was soft and subdued. Very soothing. I’m particularly overwhelmed by tight spaces, and my claustrophobia was not at all triggered.
Are you still making the kombucha. I read a post from early on where you were describing a recipe. Do you drink it instead of water tea and coffee.
I unfortunately let my batch go bad when I went on a vacation over the summer. I should have bottled it before I left but instead let it sit fermenting for a MONTH. It was grody so I threw it out. I am waiting on a new SCOBY from my cousin so I brew again. I need to drink it – it helps me so much. I don’t drink coffee because of stomach issues. I do drink tea though – and that’s what the kombucha is brewed with.
Are you a fan of Kombucha or are thinking of trying it?
I’ve had antibiotics a while ago. Afterwards it seemed everything I put in my mouth acted like one of those apple corers on my belly. The agony in joints was not to be believed, and the muscle cramps, wow. Someone put me on to chewable Acidobifidus but that stuff is costly and it’s dead. Same with the Carpe Diem that has been pasteurized. Yes, you get the temporary benefit from the enzymes but to get the good you need the live culture.
But I’ve just discovered it and am trying to find out how much I’d need to keep a stock in. I’ve done homebrew years ago so I know the drill, in general.
Anywoos, that’s why I asked if you drank it exclusively or nearly so. Or do you have a pint once a week. A glass with your morning sunnysides or just when the mood is on you.
Very cool! Though, I wonder if I would get a little panicky in there? I might get claustrophobic. Looks like Eebs was loving it. Lily and I will catch it in Sweden! Haha!
It had the dimensions of a full size room- sometimes bigger. A cross between a huge tent and a big venue. Not scary! Maybe I’ll meet y’all in Sweden to catch it on the flip side!
OMG, this is awesome. Just looking at the pictures is an experience. Thanks for sharing.
So glad it translates in pics!
Ridiculously cool!
Great post!