If you are looking for fun things to do with kids in Pittsburgh this summer, we had an incredible time taking the kids down to the latest exhibit in the Cultural District, Architects of Air: Daedalum. My son described this as an "epic" adventure and really enjoyed himself exploring the maze of illuminated colored domes. While our kids were surprisingly calm and adhered to the "no running" rule, it was hard for me not to imagine this being the most incredible place to play hide and seek! But the kids totally understood the assignment, taking in all the beauty and wonder Daedalum had to offer.
Daedalum takes its name from Daedalus; a figure of Greek mythology, father to Icarus, and architect of the labyrinth of King Minos of Crete. An awe-inspiring, immersive inflatable sculpture known as a “luminarium”, Daedalum’s core element is a maze of 17 egg-shaped domes & the arrangement of their translucent dome tops and pods, designed to produce vistas and hues of considerable variety and subtlety.
 Aerial view of Daedalum in the Backyard in the Cultural District. Did you know that this exhibit is half the size of a football field? |
The massive Main Dome, which is a new major element brought to fruition by Meko, son of Architects of Air founder Alan Parkinsonutilizes, uses indirect illumination to skew interior colors according to the sun’s direction. Constructed of 600 pieces in an arranged pattern, the Main Dome’s ceiling calls upon influence by Rome’s Pantheon and a drawing from Gustave Doré, which sees angels circling heavenward in Dante’s paradise.
 The photo on the left was taken inside the Main Dome with an Insta 360. |
The second major element added by Meko is Daedalum’s Tree, an adventurous assembly of intersecting volumes rising above the visitor with inspiring complexity.
 Daedalum’s Tree (left) and the Main Dome (right) are both new elements brought to life by Meko. |
Spiritual, radiant, stimulating and soothing, Daedalum’s organic purity provides a vessel of light & hues that draw all visitors to become part of the living luminarium experience, available only in Pittsburgh!
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Architects of Air: Daedalum will be in Pittsburgh from July 1st through September 4th, 2023. Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door.
Weds - Thurs 5pm - 9pm — $25 (regular), $15 (16 and younger), Pittsburgh Cultural Trust members 15% off
Fri - Sun 12pm - 9pm — $30 (regular), $15 (16 and younger), Pittsburgh Cultural Trust members 15% off
