Video captures RedBall Project's attempted escape
High winds dislodge 15-foot, 250-pound inflatable ball
8/20/2015
At left, RedBall artist Kurt Perschke poses with ICE Restaurant & Bar owner Donna Weisner for people taking pictures as Starr Jarvis takes a selfie with the Red Ball Wednesday on Madison Street in Toledo, Ohio.
The big red ball made a brief escape Wednesday evening.
RedBall Project, normally a stationary art installation, took off from its Wednesday location at Roulet Jewelers on Madison Avenue, Toledo Museum of Art spokesman Kelly Garrow said. It was dislodged and carried by high winds and a brief downpour, she said.
Its time on the lam was short though, coming to a stop around the corner. The recovery team included members of the traveling crew, museum staff, bystanders, and a waiter from Ice, Ms. Garrow said. Some can be seen in a video sprinting after the ball as it turns the corner from Madison Avenue onto St. Clair Street.
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The ball was damaged during its escape and had to be patched in several places, she said.
She said staff documented damage to a street sign that may have been bent in the incident and she was not aware of any other damage, but said anyone with damage to report should contact the museum.
RedBall, a traveling performance art piece by artist Kurt Perschke, is a 15-foot, 250-pound inflatable red ball, meant to draw attention to city spaces often overlooked by its residents, the artist said in a forum at Promenade Park on Tuesday.
The museum brought the project to Toledo as part of the Play Time exhibit. RedBall has appeared in nearly two dozen cities worldwide.
The ball is up and running today on the 300 block of Erie Street downtown, and is secured to a vehicle, she said. It is here in Toledo through Aug. 23.