Balloon Museum: Art You Can Feel in San Francisco
Somewhere between a childhood dream and the whimsical concept of Willy Wonka as a conceptual artist lies the Balloon Museum. This internationally acclaimed installation has arrived in San Francisco, now perched in the iconic Palace of Fine Arts. The opening night on March 28th delivered on its promise of fun, starting with the immersive “Invisible Ballet” by The Hyperstudio Collective (Italy). This installation allowed visitors to step inside a swirling tornado of silver balloons, creating an experience where hair stood on end, music and laughter filled the air, and the wind of whirling spheres spun all around.
In another room, an orange “Swimming Pool”(also Hyperstudio) made an appearance — a vast pit filled with orange balls reminiscent of a Chuck E. Cheese ball pit. But unlike childhood memories of static ball pits, this one erupted intermittently with manic music and figures dancing on the walls and ceiling. Even my mild germaphobe tendencies couldn’t resist, and I plunged into the pool. For my efforts I received a moment of pure joy and one of the few times I might associate the color orange with something happy for the next few years.
Emotionair: Art You Can Feel showcases 20 interactive inflatable artworks by well-known artists, including ENESS, Michela Picchi, Kalman Pool, and Karina Smigla-Bobinski. The installation aims to evoke a range of feelings, from nostalgia to unease, excitement, and humor. With over 7,000 square feet of space, the exhibit prompts a full spectrum of emotional responses. One standout piece, a giant helium-filled ball covered in charcoal spikes, offered guests the chance to draw on the walls. The show’s appeal is universal, with attractions for both children and adults alike, making it an Instagram dream. No surprise, Emotionair sold out during its preview weekend.
Produced by Lux Entertainment from Rome, the exhibition includes about 200,000 inflatable components. Remarkably, it was assembled in just 10 days by a team of 10 based in Rome.
Emotionair runs through September 7 at the Palace of Fine Arts.
Details:
“EmotionAir: Art You Can Feel,” Palace of Fine Arts, 3601 Lyon St., San Francisco
1-7 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays. Through Sept. 7.
Tickets: $32.50-$54
https://tickets.balloonmuseum.world/emotion-air-san-francisco
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