Charles Pétillon is a French photographer and installation artist, known for his works depicting large clusters of white balloons. These staged temporary interventions appear as giant, fragile clouds, transforming the way places are viewed. For this project, UAP collaborated with the artist to adapt his temporary art practice into a permanent public art installation for the new commercial mixed-use development Beijing Vanke Times Center in China.

Comprised of nearly 100 hand-finished aluminium spheres of different sizes, The Cloud is a direct reference to Pétillon’s earlier works and is a dramatic arrival statement suspended within the entrance atrium. Certain orbs illuminate from within, adding to the unique visuals viewers discover as they experience the space. UAP worked together with the artist to develop, fabricate and install the work, and source the most appropriate materials and lighting to emulate the weightlessness of balloons. The resulting installation offers a powerful contribution to the space, harmoniously integrating both art and design elements within the atrium.