The Many Art Installations and Activities happening for Charlotte International Arts Festival

By CLTure

September 18, 2023

With over 200 attractions (many of them free), Charlotte International Arts Festival is taking over the city with events, art installations, pop-up performances, and activities. The second-year event spans 17 days showcasing the arts in its many forms from around the world, celebrating diversity and culture. 

 

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From scavenger hunts to LED installations to illuminating bubbles, there’s an assortment of visually and mentally stimulating art, live performances, and activities taking place in Uptown and Ballantyne’s Backyard. 

Sky of Bubbles 

September 15 – October 1, 2023 
Levine Avenue

The Sydney, Australia-based design studio Atelier Sisu aimed to encapsulate the ethereal quality and magic of bubbles in this art-meets-architecture exhibit. Made up of 50 inflatable spheres that split into an array of colors, this light mosaic creates a unique experience for the audience that changes as the sun moves across the sky during the day with glowing lights at night. Internally illuminated and individually pixel mapped, the canopy also comes to life with animations. The exhibit is accompanied by an original soundtrack created by Charlotte composer Jason Hausman of Hot Sake Sound. 

 

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100 Tiny Things

September 15 – October 1, 2023
Ballantyne’s Backyard

100 Tiny Things is an art scavenger hunt in Ballantyne’s Backyard. An eight-minute walking trail with playful and curious installations that are a joy to stumble upon. The soundtrack for 100 Tiny Things is also created by Charlotte musician Ryan Persuad (Sweat Transfer). 

Aqueous by Jen Lewin 

September 15 – October 1, 2023 
Ballantyne’s Backyard

A sequence of interactive LED platforms connect to form a trail of lights in this exhibit designed and fabricated by artist Jen Lewin. The installation is illuminated at night, interacting with human touch, changing colors, and mirroring the sky during the day. Composed of hundreds of modular platforms, Aqueous is one of the first pattern-based sculptures built at this size. 

Fantastic Planet 

September 15 – October 1, 2023 
Ballantyne’s Backyard

Taking inspiration from the 1973 Czech/French film Fantastic Planet, these giant illuminating humanoids designed by Australian visual artist Amanda Parer are sure to enliven your evening stroll. 

Gaia 

September 17 – October 1, 2023 at 10 a.m. 
Founder Hall

A massive rotating sculpture designed by artist Luke Jerram returns to Founders Hall in Charlotte. Measuring seven meters in diameter and created from 120dpi detailed NASA imagery, the installation allows us to view Earth as it appears from the moon. 

Climb the Matterhorn! 

September 16 – October 1, 2023 
Ballantyne’s Backyard

A physically challenging rock climbing activity for are skill levels. Select one of four climbing paths with a trained staff on hand to encourage and support your venture up the mountain wall. 

Birdmen 

September 15 – October 1, 2023 
Ballantyne’s Backyard

Illuminated larger-than-life bird puppets roam Ballantyne’s Backyard for these pop-up performances produced by Close-Act Theatre, an interactive street theatre company from the Netherlands. In addition to the scheduled performances at Ballantyne’s Backyard, there will be pop-up performances at Levine Avenue, Freedom Park, The Amp Ballantyne, and Symphony Park. 

 

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Charlotte Chess Center Pop-Up 

September 15-29, 2023
Levine Avenue

The Charlotte Chess Center, an educational hub for chess in the Charlotte area, will host a chess pop-up activation at the Oktoberfest Biergarten. With chess boards provided and coaches on site, this is an opportunity to learn the game, and even compete against some of the toughest chess players in the world. 

Open Play: September 15 (4:30-6:30 p.m), September 23 from (12-4 p.m.), and September 29 (4:30-6:30 p.m.)

Play the Master Blitz: Saturday, September 23 (4-5 p.m.) 

Waterbombs

September 22 – October 1, 2023
Ballantyne’s Backyard

A huge 100-water balloon fight with dramatic opera music scoring the comedic battle with no words. The “laughter-filled” show also includes some fun crowd participation. Check out the complete schedule of showtimes for Waterbombs.

The Journey – An Exhibition by International House

September 15 – October 1, 2023
Founders Hall

The International House, a Charlotte cultural center established in 1981, has partnered with Blumenthal Performing Arts for an art exhibit, The Journey. The exhibit at Founders Hall showcases visual arts illustrating the harrowing and hope-filled journeys of immigrants and refugees coming to the United States. Thirteen artists reveal works representing their unique migrations, allowing the community to experience their story and perspective. 

 

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Tour de Ballantyne – The International Roller Skate Party 

September 15 – October 1, 2023 
Ballantyne’s Backyard

In partnership with Rollin’ CLT and SweatNET, Ballantyne’s Backyard will host roller skating parties with local DJs playing your favorite jams. There will also be special Taylor Swift, Michael Jackson, and Disney themed days for skaters of all skill levels to enjoy. Check out the full schedule of roller skating sessions at Ballantyne’s Backyard. 

Lotty by Moradavaga 

September 15 – October 1, 2023 
Ballantyne’s Backyard

Inspired by the 2017 Taipei Public Arts Festival theme, “Story of a River,” Moradavaga is an art collective born from architects Manfred Eccli and Pedro Cavaco Leitão. They’ve created an interactive acoustic installation in “Lotty,” a gigantic squid sculpture.

Mentalgassi

September 15 – October 1, 2023 
Ballantyne’s Backyard

Mentalgassi, a trio of German artists, specialize in creating large-scale photographs on outdoor objects. Combining photography, sculpture, image manipulation, and street art, they transform ordinary objects into wondrous works. Five Charlotteans were captured and printed onto these larger-than-life balloons by the artists. 

From September 15 to October 1, there’s also free live music and cultural performances happening on the Levine Avenue and Wells Fargo Plaza in Uptown. Check out the full lineup for Charlotte International Arts festival 2023. 

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