On Friday, a few of us here at D were invited to take a swim through the Nasher’s new balloon room. Technically, it’s an installation by British artist Martin Creed. But really, the only thing you need to know is that there’s a room and it’s filled, floor to (almost) ceiling, with approximately 9,000 gold balloons. I couldn’t not try it.
After slithering in sideways to displace the least amount of balloons, I lasted about two minutes. The best way I can think to describe the whole bizarre experience is to ask you to imagine that you’re a caribou, plodding warily through some abnormally tall grass. You pause occasionally to eat some of the grass, but you’re on the alert for predators. And then all of a sudden the grass starts moving and there’s a tiger and you’re probably lunch meat. But it was kinda fun, until the rapid balloon movement whenever someone got close to me started to freak me out and I had an unfortunate encounter with a wall.
After that, I pushed my way to the exit, saw Tim, and the first thing he did was laugh at the staticky state of my hair. Thankfully, I was the one with the camera.
If you haven’t already, visit the sculpture center and cross the Arts District off your Dallas Must-Do list.
