MESA, AZ — An inflatable art sculpture big enough to walk through and lay inside will make a visit to the Valley in 2019.
"Albesila" is nearly the size of half a football field at 147 feet long and 82 feet wide, and has a number of color-changing tunnels that lead to 27 16-foot-high domes, according to its website. Some of the domes have geometric shapes and patterns at the top.
It is the latest sculpture from artist Alan Parinson's "Achitects of Air."
It will be temporarily installed at Pioneer Park, 526 E. Main St, in Mesa for a nine-day tour, Feb. 9-17, 2019.
People will be able to walk, sit and lay throughout the sculpture in 30-minute sessions. The cost will be $7 per person, or $24 for four people (a savings of $7), according to a news release. There is no charge for kids under two.
Tickets for members of the Mesa Arts Center went on sale Wednesday, Dec. 12. The rest go on sale, Friday, Dec. 14. They will be available via https://mesaartscenter.com/air, at the box office or phone, 480-644-6000.
It is the third luminaria from Architects of Air to visit Mesa; the other visits were in 2011 and 2012.
"Given the delight experienced by visitors were 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," Cindy Ornstein, Mesa Art Center's executive direction, said in a prepared statement.
The luminaria will be open from noon to 9 p.m. each day, except Feb. 9, 2019. That day, the installation will close at 8 p.m. for the "Color + Light Party."
