The Tranquil Dream Pools of Artist Jared Pike

Creating imaginary spaces that linger on the border between dreaming and wakefulness.

Soft light that caresses the surface water. A faint scent of chlorine and freshly cleaned surfaces. The sound of plunging into a pool. The feeling of cool water on your skin. The experience of swimming in a pool is not only familiar, but also evokes all of these sensory experiences. Perhaps that’s why the Dream Pool series created by Jared Pike is so fascinating. The New York City-based 3D artist and designer uses the theme of indoor pools to bring liminal spaces to life. In his Dream Pool series, the water becomes a character in of itself, along with the angular or rounded forms of the surrounding walls, covered in white tiles.

Reminiscent of Alain Capeillères’ spectacular swimming pool he designed in the 1970s for his summer house, the images feature modernist interiors with clean geometric forms as well as white distinctive tile patterns. Jared Pike infuses his dreamscapes with a feeling of familiarity but also with a touch of mystery. Some are located in places that remind of either hotels and public areas or expansive residential retreats. In other images, the water seems to inexplicably rise from the depths of buildings, reaching spiral staircases and narrow flights of stairs. All of the artworks, however, display a sense of calm and serenity, sitting at the border between dreaming and a state of wakefulness. Jared Pike uses Blender to create his fascinating 3D spaces. You can buy prints of his work online, from $22 to $35, with international shipping available. Images © Jared Pike.