Mesa, AZ (Dec. 4, 2018) Mesa Arts Center, in partnership with Mesas Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities, will present a nine-day installation of Albesila, a monumental inflatable sculpture and immersive art installation by Architects of Air in Mesas Pioneer Park February 9-17, 2019. Albesila, the newest luminarium designed by Alan Parkinson and one of seven currently touring the world, will be available for 30-minute visits noon-9 p.m. each day, except for Feb. 9 when the installation will close to visits at 8 p.m. to host a special ticketed event Color + Light Party. Single tickets for Albesila are $7 per person, or 4 for $24 (plus additional tickets at $6) and go on sale to Mesa Arts Center members on Dec. 12 and to all others on Dec. 14. Tickets will be available at mesaartscenter.com/air, at the Mesa Arts Center box office, or by calling 480-644-6500.
This is the third Architects of Air luminarium to visit Mesa, after Amococo in 2011 and Mirazozo in 2012. The visitors experience of this giant inflatable sculpture is like walking inside a work of stained glassbreathtakingly beautiful, serene and contemplative, said Cindy Ornstein, Executive Director of Mesa Arts Center and Director of Arts and Culture for the City of Mesa. Given the delight experienced by visitors during the earlier Architects of Air installations, we are excited to introduce new audiences of all ages to the spectacular and magical creations of Alan Parkinson.
From the Guggenheim in Spain to the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the monumental and
interactive walk-in sculptures of Architects of Air have received audiences across the globe. Architects of Air has toured the luminaria since 1992 and visited 43 countries. Albesila, like the other luminaria, is a mix of engineering and design, appropriate for all ages and all methods of personal mobility. With a footprint half the size of a football field, the light- and color-filled dome-like spaces invite visitors to wander, explore or sit or lie down and enjoy the ambiance of the space.
Visitors to the Mesa installation are also encouraged to explore Mesas Pioneer Park (renovated and reopened in late 2017 with treehouse play structures, water wall and splash pad), and enjoy Mesa Feastival Forest, a gathering of food trucks at Pioneer Park Saturday nights, 5:30-9 p.m., which will be in operation throughout the Albesila installation. On Saturday, Feb. 9 attend a 21+ Color + Light Party in and around the luminarium, 8-11 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance ($30 at the door) and include admission to Albesila, one beverage, snacks and live music/entertainment. On Saturday, Feb. 16, visitors can combine their experience with spark! After Dark, Mesa Arts Centers free outdoor art party every third Saturday, 8-11 p.m. October-May each year.
Pioneer Park is located at 526 E. Main Street, Mesa, AZ 85203. Mesa Arts Center is located at One East Main Street in downtown Mesa.
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About Mesa Arts Center
Mesa Arts Center, owned and operated by the City of Mesa, is a unique, architecturally stunning facility located in the heart of downtown Mesa. Arizona's largest multidisciplinary arts center is home to four theaters, five art galleries in the MCA Museum, 14 art studios, and The Store, and artists cooperative gallery. Guests, patrons, and students come to Mesa Arts Center to enjoy the finest live entertainment, performances and festivals, world-class visual art exhibitions, immersive engagement programs and outstanding arts education classes. The Mesa Arts Center mission is to inspire people through engaging arts experiences that are diverse, accessible, and relevant. For more information, visit mesaartscenter.com.