Huge bunnies, immense spinning Earth, Pianos for Peace, and a Moon on the way — a look at the temporary art installations around Charlotte

Some of the most memorable components of Charlotte SHOUT! were the large-scale temporary public art installations. Although Charlotte SHOUT! was canceled for 2021, some of these installations are in Uptown Charlotte now, as standalone features. In addition, an exciting (very large!) installation, unrelated to Charlotte SHOUT!, is coming to the town of Belmont soon, and several colorfully painted pianos have popped up around the city.

Read on to learn about each of these installations, but don’t forget to check out our list of huge public sculptures in Charlotte that you can see any time, including a huge, sparkling metal head, nested hives that you can go inside, a giant cube made of crushed Pepsi cans, and more.

Intrude

These bunnies might look familiar. At the first Charlotte SHOUT! festival they were a huge draw on The Green. Now they’re in First Ward Field, next to First Ward Park, 301 E. 7th Street, Charlotte. You can’t miss them. They’ll be here through October 12th, 2021.

The official hours for visiting the bunnies are 10 a.m. to midnight. Kids love them! You’re welcome to pet them gently, as you would a real bunny, but don’t hit them or climb on them, or any nonsense like that.

Gaia

Gaia is a touring artwork by artist Luke Jerram. This Earth is 23 feet in diameter and was created with detailed NASA imagery. It rotates slowly. if you stand 211 meters (692 feet) away from it, you can see what Earth looks like from the moon.

Gaia is in Founders Hall, in Bank of America Corporate Center, 100 N. Tryon Street which is at Trade and Tryon. It will be there through October 1st, 2021.

You can visit Gaia day or night. We think night is best!

Pianos for Peace

Five artfully decorated pianos have been placed around Charlotte. They are available to admire or to play. The pianos will be around through October 4th, 2021. You’ll find two at Queens University of Charlotte, one at Camp North End (at the entrance to Immersive Van Gogh) and two at Mint Museum Uptown and Blumenthal Performing Arts.

After October 4th, the pianos will be donated to schools and nursing homes.

Learn more about Pianos for Peace.

Museum of the Moon

For three weekends this fall, Museum of the Moon will be in Downtown Belmont. It will be the centerpiece of Belmont’s Moonlight on Main event. This installation features a giant moon, made by Luke Jerram, the same artist who created the Earth, that has been in Founders Hall.

Jerram’s moon is 23 feet in diameter and features detailed NASA imagery of the lunar service.

The exhibit will be accompanied by poetry readings, art exhibitions, theater performances and concerts. It’s free to visit the moon, and many of the accompanying events are free as well.

 

Upcoming Events in the Charlotte area

Check out our full events calendar, where you can enter any date, or look at the events for the next few days here: