Dezeen Magazine

Jaime Hayón installs Tiovivo animal-shaped play equipment at Atlanta museum

Children can crawl into the rear end of a wooden pig when visiting this playground installation by Spanish designer Jaime Hayón at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.

Tiovivo: whimsical sculptiures exhibition by Jaimé Hayon at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta

Hayón's Tiovivo: Whimsical Sculptures have been installed on the museum's Carroll Slater Sifly Piazza this month.

Constructed from wood, the pieces are designed to be climbed over and clambered inside – providing an area for children to play.

Tiovivo: whimsical sculptiures exhibition by Jaimé Hayon at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta

They are shaped to look like animals or everyday objects, and decorated with different colours and patterns.

"Each whimsical structure features a colourful pattern, ranging from polka dots to stripes, and sets of stairs and slides with openings specifically sized for children that encourage guests to interact with the sculptures," said the museum.

Tiovivo: whimsical sculptiures exhibition by Jaimé Hayon at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta

A pig covered in red and white chevrons has a small flight of steps leading up to its back end, so small visitors can climb inside and hide in its hollow belly.

Children can also step into the mouth of a yellow head with rounded ears and a cylindrical snout, or slide out of the belly of a seated black and white monkey.

Tiovivo: whimsical sculptiures exhibition by Jaimé Hayon at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta

The designer is well known for the use of animal forms in his work. Recent examples include a table formed from a concrete cartoon monkey and a mirror that resembles a beast-like mask.

Tiovivo also includes a blue-spotted bell with two access staircases either side of a slide. The sculptures are scattered around the courtyard, which offers views of the city's Downtown skyscrapers.

Tiovivo: whimsical sculptiures exhibition by Jaimé Hayon at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta

"The installation transforms the space into an outdoor art gallery, playground and summer refuge, creating an atmosphere for socialising and recreation," said the institution.

Tiovivo runs from 3 June to 27 November 2016 at the High Museum of Art, 1280 Peachtree Street, Atlanta.

Tiovivo: whimsical sculptiures exhibition by Jaimé Hayon at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta

The project builds on the 2014 and 2015 commissions titled Mi Casa, Your Casa and Los Trompos (The Spinning Tops) by Mexican designers Héctor Esrawe and Ignacio Cadena.

Tiovivo: whimsical sculptiures exhibition by Jaimé Hayon at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta

Hayón's previous installations have included a giant chess set in London's Trafalgar Square and the refurbishment of a room at Arne Jacobsen's SAS Hotel in Copenhagen.

Photography is by Jonathan Hillyer.