Art

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Stephanie Lin is a Canadian designer and educator based in New York and Arizona, leading the innovative design studio Present Forms. Her work bridges artistic and architectural thinking, crafting environments and objects that reveal cultural narratives through ephemeral materials. Lin has exhibited work both independently and with her design collective, Office III, at prestigious venues including MoMA and the National Academy of Design. As Dean of The School of Architecture, she champions material exploration and was honored with the 2023 AIA AZ Design Pedagogy Award for her impactful teaching.

Stephanie Lin’s Taffy is a vibrant spectacle featuring seven towering cylinders, ranging from 25 to 50 feet tall, adorned with scalloped mesh that creates dynamic moiré patterns. The colors of the towers were inspired by midcentury desert modernism. Their hues shift with the sun’s movement. Beneath this colorful canopy, open-circle plywood benches invite festivalgoers to sit and explore. Taffy serves as a stunning visual frame for the event, evoking the ephemeral beauty of desert blooms and fostering a connection with the landscape.

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Uchronia, an innovative design collective led by the visionary Julien Sebban, redefines spaces into enchanting realms where imagination reigns. Founded on the principles of utopia, this multidisciplinary French firm specializes in transforming retail, residential, and hospitality environments through a brilliant blend of architecture, design, and visual identity. With a playful approach, Uchronia infuses joy into every project, utilizing vibrant colors and simple, whimsical shapes. From ephemeral exhibitions to large-scale installations, they create uplifting experiences that inspire and delight.

Inspired by the desert’s wildflower blooms, Le Grand Bouquet is a vibrant celebration of color and joy with the groovy aesthetics of the 1960s and ’70s. Towering at 32 feet, the main bouquet features 19 inflatable flowers, each glowing softly at night, and invites festivalgoers to relax on petal-shaped seating. Six smaller satellite bouquets each have three inflatable flowers. This immersive space embodies a playful spirit and encourages gathering and contemplation under the shimmering petals.

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Isabel + Helen Studio, the London-based studio of design duo Isabel Gibson and Helen Chesner hovers on the intersection of art and design, creating experimental installations and animated sculptures exploring themes of transformation, form, and function. Since their collaboration began in 2015, they’ve created work for prestigious brands like Hermès and Moncler and have been showcased in renowned venues such as the V&A and Saatchi Gallery. With a playful approach, they invite viewers into a world where simplicity meets complexity.

Inspired by 19th-century flying machines, Take Flight embodies the spirit of adventure and inventorship, responding to the environment and winds of the Coachella Valley. Towering 60 feet high and creating a mesmerizing experience, the central tower contains a network of intricately crafted spinning turbines whose hypnotic beauty honors the potential of wind power. As you walk, dance, or move around and beneath the sculpture, the shifting perspectives create a sense of wonder and discovery. Additional components extend Isabel + Helen’s ongoing exploration into energy-generating wearables, fitting a pair of turbines onto the human body, and two similarly outfitted carts. When the carts dock in the tower, the massive sculpture appears ready for takeoff. During the day Take Flight has a peaceful, calming presence. When night falls, the installation illuminates and transforms into a vibrant spectacle. By encouraging interaction and exploration, Take Flight — the largest in Isabel + Helen Studio’s series of works exploring the power of wind energy — fosters a sense of connection, making it a memorable, thought-provoking celebration of creativity and industrial beauty.