Kurt Perschke's RedBall Project

RedBall Project made a series of installation appearances in the historic city of Barcelona. This series was made possible working with Can Serrat, members of Espai 22a, and the curator Jeffery Swartz, a series of six installations were completed in Barcelona including sites at the city’s oldest Roman wall, and the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Barcelona (MACBA). The series ended with an exhibition at Barcelona Culture Studios.

July 11, 2002 [ Riereta 20 bis, 2, Barcelona ]

Featuring a projection room of installation imagery, photographic prints, and RedBall in the main room, the exhibition was both a documentation of RedBall’s travels in Barcelona and an end of run celebration for all those who helped, participated, or just watched. In attendance were supporters of the project from 22a, friends of Barcelona Culture Studio, artists from Can Serrat, and throughout the studio building, as well as all those who had helped make the project possible. Special thanks to Art Larson, founding member of 22a and filmaker/performance artist/sculptor for his amazing generosity and patience, Jeffrey Swartz for bringing it to his space and making all those calls, and Can Serrat for the trusty Renault van, and the last minute projector loan from photographer Marti Llorens (above). Appreciation also to the Mayor of El Bruc, and Manuel Borja-Villel, Director of Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Barcelona (MACBA), for giving permission for the respective installations.

Read Curator Jeffrey Swartz’s catalog essay.

Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Barcelona, MACBA, July 8, 2002
Installation at Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Barcelona, MACBA, designed by architect Richard Meier. Thanks to Manuel Borja-Villel, Director of Museo de Arte Contemporaneo de Barcelona (MACBA), for giving permission for the installation. www.macba.es

The RedBall spent some time on the boardwalk above the beach where it was inflated, but was soon thrown over the railing down onto the beach. In no time an English boys football club decended upon it, and spent a few hours crushing each other with it. The RedBall Crew got into the spirit of the day and everyone spent some time under it. RedBall’s scale relationship to the body was enthuastically highlighted on this day at the beach.

Unfolding the ball on the walkway above the beach, Amalie’, myself, and Leslie in a pre-inflation moment. Even once it was up and inflated, nearby police patrols just walked on by.

Though not much fun on concrete, the beach was the perfect location for getting squashed under the ball. A surprisingly addictive activity based on how many hours these guys spent doing it. Though weighing 250 lbs, once inflated it

Installation at c/ Jaume I, near the Jaume Metro Station and the Just i Sants Pastor.

The Jaume site brought one of the most potent visual experiences of the project right to the center of the city

Installation was in the Raval off the Roman Wall, at c/ Sots Tinent Navarro, below c/ Jaume I, near the Jaume Metro Station.

This site is a pedestrian walkway cut-through nearby a metro stop. The small walkway is a border between the original 4th century Roman walls and newer turn of the century construction that defines modern Barcelona. On top of the Roman construction are layers of Medieval construction from the 13th and 14th Century.

Against the Roman wall the ball lunged over a busy sidewalk. Everyone going by reached out, took pictures, jumped into it, or took shelter. My favorite was the businessman who discreetly reached behind him to touch it as he passed, a secret moment. Both a marker of place and a piece of magnetic tactile presence, this was the RedBall

Installation in El Bruc. Oldest building in the city itself. Residence of the Mayor of El Bruc.

This installation cut off a small section of town as this is its only access point. Fortunately people on their way to shopping could be rerouted through an adjacent almond grove. Many locals came by to take snapshots, including the Mayor. El Bruc is home to Can Serrat International Artist Center home base for me during the RedBall Project, and site of many great dinners under the grape arbor.
http://www.canserrat.org/