Art marks the spot

Deepa Bharath

Newport Beach -- A giant balloon is not something you would usually

see drifting over a sculpture garden at an art museum.

But this summer, visitors to the Orange County Museum of Art’s

biennial exhibition, to take place from May 26 to Sept. 8, will see a

balloon -- representing one of the exhibits -- hovering 50 feet above the

building.

The balloon is a 24-foot replica of a 24-inch sculpture crafted by San

Diego artist Roman de Salvo. The so-called Accretion Balloon is tethered

to de Salvo’s sculpture created from field stones and mortar.

“It’s a sculpture with its own ad,” de Salvo said.

A typical advertising balloon is usually not something that would be

associated with sculptures right away, the artist said.

This balloon, which has been filled with five tanks of helium, seems

enigmatic with its lumpy form and earth tones, he said. But it’s the

mystery of it all, says de Salvo, that may attract attention.

“People see this thing from outside and they can tell it’s something,”

he said. “But they can’t really tell what it’s about. Maybe they’ll be

curious and will walk into the museum to find out for themselves.”

Apart from being a novel idea, publicity and prominence are welcome

bonuses that come with the balloon, said Brian Langston, the museum’s

director of marketing and public relations.

“Given the museum’s inconspicuous location, I think this balloon will

help put us on the map,” he said. “It’ll let people know, at least local

people know, we’re here.”

The museum is on San Clemente Drive near Fashion Island, but it is

difficult for visitors to locate or passersby to recognize because it is

not visible from the street.

Museum directors have also received city permits and have had

discussions with the Police Department and even the Federal Aviation

Administration to ensure the balloon is legal, Langston said.

“We cleared it with the city and Police Department because their

helicopter flies here,” he said. “We will crank down the balloon most

nights, but the nights we do have it up it’ll be lighted. We think that’s

going to look really beautiful.”

FYI

The Orange County Museum of Art is at 850 San Clemente Drive, Newport

Beach. The hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday.

Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for seniors and students. Information:

(949) 720-0030.