Float to Eat

Ask the duo about the meaning of their artwork,and Sagot replies,“It is not about the food actually but more about escaping the bonds that tie us all down. The helium balloons represent the free spirit tied down by the earthly wants. Once a patron comes in and looks at the food boxes and the balloons tying them down,they take off the boxes and let the balloons escape. This idea applies to life as well.”

The piece has been wrongly interpreted in several countries,says Becquemin. People ask them more about the food than the artwork. “You know how in buffets,people keep running towards the food,we wanted to present this novel idea of escapism through food. But it was misinterpreted in many countries barring Asia where people wanted to know more about the work,” she adds.

The duo admit setting up in Pune was a nightmare logistically. The installation is usually done indoors and here,they had to do it outdoor,since helium usage is not permitted indoors. It was a challenge to creating a setup where the balloons would not be affected by the wind. “We had to ensure ambient lighting with the food boxes would stay put. Besides,making sure that people would enjoy the experience. We pulled it off successfully.”