mark reigelman inflates white cloud with nearly 100 water balloons

mark reigelman inflates white cloud with 100 water balloons all images courtesy of cleveland public art

american artist mark reigelman was commissioned by the cleveland museum of art, in partnership with cleveland public art (CPA), to create an outdoor installation for the museum’s annual summer solstice party. the result was ‘white cloud’, an installation comprised of nearly 100 eight-foot weather balloons, a dozen 22-foot steel poles and rope.

ground view

it took the reigelman and the CPA nearly two weeks to construct the piece, which appeared to float against the exterior of the museum’s ceremonial entrance. the soft, organic qualities of ‘white cloud’ complemented the symmetrical grandness of the museum. when the wind blew, the balloons appeared to dance precariously above the ground in stark contrast to the  institution’s marble walls.

however, due to thunderstorms, and wind speeds of over 20 miles per hour, the weather inevitably lead to the decision to deconstruct ‘white cloud’.

pumping air into one of the eight-foot high balloons

a single white balloon

up close of the balloons

‘white cloud’ illuminated by night

at night, the installation was lit by local lighting designers, vincent lighting.

various light projections