By Steven Krolak
NEW ALBANY, Ind. — Balloonacy reigns in New Albany!
The social sculpture class of Indiana University Southeast’s Fine Arts program will host the art installation, “Balloonacy: Lost in Inflation,” in a historic downtown building on Wed., Oct. 28, from 7-9 p.m.
Over 1200 balloons will fill the space and serve as a screen for hand-made 16mm video projections, allowing the viewers to move within, and become part of, the artwork.
The nine students and their instructor, Associate Professor of Fine Art Brian Harper, have collaborated on a project that breathes new life and purpose into the building, immersing the public in an interactive space.
“The concept has been a living thing that has grown and changed,” said sophomore Bethany Barton. “One balloon or just a few isn’t impressive, but when you bring them all together, it really is something.”
“This isn’t your typical event,” said sophomore Liz Walker, a double major in fine arts (ceramics) and English. “The brick walls are our frame, the balloons our canvas, the projections our medium, and the attendees our paint brushes. Instead of just working on fitting all of the works into a space, we were all working on a space as the piece itself.”
“One of the best things about our group is that we are all so different,” Walker said. “We’ve got digital artists, theatre production students, audio artists, painters, print makers, ceramics throwers and sculptors, and photographers.”
“In projects like these, listening and having an open mind is the key,” Barton said.
The social sculpture class encourages the act of creating artwork within the community.
“Balloonacy: Lost in Inflation” will take place on Wed., Oct. 28 from 7-9 p.m. at 110 Market Street in New Albany. Admission is free. Refreshments are provided by Joy Luck. For further information, please contact Brian Harper at harperba@ius.edu.