When it comes to radically changing the downtown streetscape, it doesn’t get much lighter, quicker, cheaper, or more accessible than temporary installations of inflatables.
Event producers are offering giant waterslides, obstacle courses, and even public art installations of the air-filled variety. Better yet, some are partnering with nonprofit organizations, giving downtown groups opportunities to raise funds while also drawing crowds to the city center.
In one example, Miami-based artist Alejandro Mendoza has created a traveling public art exhibit called Giants in the City, which he has installed in downtowns around the globe. The inflatable sculptures include a nearly-50-foot tall arm grasping for downtown towers, a net full of clouds captured from the sky, a giant key, a rainbow, puffy topiaries, and more.
And when the event is over, the artwork is deflated and this limited time exhibit is gone.
The full article appeared in our print edition. To always get the full story, read Downtown Idea Exchange.