# Inflatable Seahorses Mike Charlton Uses Hot Air Vents as Recycled Artistic Inspiration By Brian G Randles | Published 2009-10-11 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mike-charlton References: [coroflot](http://www.coroflot.com/public/image_file.asp?individual_id=241830&portfolio_id=2869689) & [linkedin](http://www.linkedin.com/pub/mike-charlton/2/6a8/bb7) Mike Charlton decided that he would do something about all of the [unused waste](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/objects-from-frames) in this world. Taking one step at a time, he set off to find places in his community where he could use waste as a backdrop for art. His first project came in the form of turning a [hot air vent into an inflatable](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/forest-dancer) seahorse-creature. Always thinking of the big picture, Mike Charlton has championed resourceful and eco-friendly art. **Implications** - Consumers in modern society are looking for a sense of whimsy in all of their products. Everyday items that feature an element of entertainment appeal to those with hectic lifestyles. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.9/10 - Popularity: 24% | Activity: 24% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Whimsical Products:** Opportunity for businesses to create everyday items with a sense of whimsy to appeal to consumers with hectic lifestyles. - **Resourceful Art:** Potential for artists and entrepreneurs to repurpose waste materials into artistic creations, promoting sustainability and eco-friendliness. - **Inflatable Art:** Growing trend of using inflatable structures as artistic installations, offering unique and eye-catching experiences for viewers. ### Who This Affects Most - **Product Design:** Potential for product designers to incorporate whimsical elements into everyday items, enhancing consumer appeal and differentiation. - **Eco-friendly Art:** Emerging industry focused on creating art from recycled or repurposed materials, tapping into the growing demand for sustainable art. - **Art Installations:** Opportunity for artists and event organizers to create inflatable art installations that provide interactive and visually striking experiences for audiences. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Recycled Bar Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bar-installation.md) - [Deflated Balloon Clothing Hangers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chong-shop.md) - [Artful Garden Inflatable Spheres](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/this-is-air.md) - [Inflated Design Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/air-as-a-main-material.md) - [Colorfully Inflatable Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blowup-art-the-hague.md) - [Mask-Made Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tidal-stories.md) - [Waste-Incorporated Chair Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/knoll-chairs.md) - [Sustainable Car Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/we-harvest-wind.md) - [Sophisticated Upcycled Home Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/basket-sculptures.md)