MacArthur’s Balls

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macarthur_balls_cvjYou should go and see them! (Click image for larger view.) Nobody seems to be talking much about this – or I’m utterly out of touch these days since I’ve not seen a thing about this and nobody I asked seems to know either – but there’s a wonderful thing to see down at MacArthur Park. (No, it is most definitely not a cake left out in the rain, since… you know… no rain.) There are about 2500 spheres floating in the lake, and looking quite splendid, I might add. I love this highly neglected park, and so am glad that someone feels the same way and got (I read after gingerly googling “balls macarthur park” and finding this article) about 10,000 volunteers to help paint and launch these balls in an art project aimed at bringing the park back into people’s minds, at least for a while.

The panorama (click for larger view) does not do it justice, since it flattens and shrinks, by necessity, so I recommend going along and getting up close and having a look (as I ought to have done, but was on my way home in a rush and only had time to pull over and look from afar this time). The balls are huge and painted in all sort of designs.

Perfect thing to do on a hot weekend, and while down there, get some of Mama’s Hot Tamales right there on 7th (if that excellent store is still there).

Think you might remember some other fun art-in-MacArthur things I’ve blogged about? See the SmartGals event here in particular, and here for a search.

-cvj

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34 Responses to MacArthur’s Balls

  1. barbara finwall says:
    September 13, 2015 at 12:52 pm

    I’d love to see this. It looks beautiful. It’s always been one of my favorite L.A. places. I used to eat lunch here back in the early 60’s while going to Chouinard Art Institute which was right near by.
    Had a great time with Amy in France at the wedding. Wish you could have been there, too.

  2. maryandres_usc says:
    September 12, 2015 at 10:39 am

    Thanks for posting about this and sharing a picture! I have been trying to plan a time to come across town, but am waiting for a break in the heat wave. The event goes to the last week of September according to the FAQ page.