I recently visited the Bedford Gallery at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek and enjoyed Blow Up — Inflatable Contemporary Art. From the moment I approached the door to the gallery I was smiling and so was everyone else I saw in the gallery that day. Here are just a few reasons why:
Billie Grace Lynn created White Elephant 1 in 2007 from ripstop nylon, chiffon and a fan. This lovable elephant is 8 x 6 x 10 feet and he begs to be hugged — but I didn’t. Click on an image for a larger view.
Paranirvana (Self Portrait) was created by Lewis deSoto in 2012 using painted nylon and a fan. At 6 x 26 x 7 feet, this quietly resting piece takes a lot of space in the gallery.
I’m certain that you are smiling broadly now! These delightful figures can’t help but lighten your day. Momoyo Torimitsu created Somehow I Don’t Feel Comfortable in 2000 using inflatable nylon balloons. Each figure is 15.8 x 6.5 x 6.5 feet. The man in the photograph is 6′ 3″ tall.
In the final room of the gallery viewers played with Andy Warhol’s Silver Clouds, created in 1966 of silver plastic film, helium and air. Dimensions of the clouds were variable.
This exhibit took me back to those summer days when the carnival came to town. If you are anywhere near this exhibit, don’t miss it. The creations are light as air, but they provide a ton of fun!
The exhibit continues through June 21, 2015
Bedford Gallery
What a fun exhibit!! Thanks for brightening my day!
You are welcome Gay. This is the kind of exhibit that you, Carol and I would hoot about for weeks. Wish you were closer.
oh drat, you shouldn’t have shared this, now I must make an inflatable.
Ahhhh, inspiration! It comes from the most unlikely places. Do circle back and let me know what you create.
I just LOVE the elephant!
Yes! It was soooo very hard for me not to give it a big hug.
Leave it to you to give this exhibit a light touch! Thanks for sharing
Ha! I smile just remembering our visit. It was so fun to play with other adults at this exhibit. And with Andy Warhol art no less!
David has never looked better!!!
Cute photo of him, isn’t it?! The exhibit was such fun!