Bubble Pack Bench #1 and #2

Bubble Pack Bench #1 and #2 are a pair of cast bronze benches made by Dylan Collins in 2010. They are permanent installations at the Creative Arts Center. Structurally, both works are simple benches consisting of a sitting area supported by two wide legs on each end. However, the surfaces of the sculptures are cast from bubble pack and display the distinctive rows and columns of small domes. Bubble Pack Bench #1 features bubble pack with smaller bubbles, while Bubble Pack Bench #2 uses larger bubbles. Collins intended the works to toy with the seemingly contradictory notions of preservation and disposability intrinsic to bubble packaging. Additionally, Collins chose benches as the medium for his exploration of bubble pack because they encourage physical engagement and touch.