Granite balloons unite many Dundas residents in baffled response and inspire local paper

A $145,000 public art installation of five boulder-like 'balloons' was installed at Dundas Driving Park in 2022 and has prompted local debate. It also inspired a biweekly free broadsheet called the Granite Balloon, started by Austin Strutt.

A public art installation called The Big Bounce — five large sculptures made to look like balloons — sits along a walking path at Dundas Driving Park. The pieces were commissioned by the City of Hamilton and were created by B.C. artists Paul Slipper and Mary Anne Liu before being installed in 2022. The $145,000 project has drawn mixed reactions from residents and visitors. The installation also inspired a biweekly printed broadsheet, the Granite Balloon, produced by Austin Strutt of the Dundas Museum and Archives. What is known: - The Big Bounce consists of five boulder-sized sculptures designed to resemble balloons and is located at Dundas Driving Park. - The work was commissioned by the City of Hamilton, made by artists Paul Slipper and Mary Anne Liu, and installed in 2022. - The city spent $145,000 on the installation, and the sculptures are used to post information about community events and local history. - The Granite Balloon is a two-page, biweekly broadsheet started in June by Austin Strutt; each issue prints more than 1,200 copies and is distributed at local stores and restaurants and online. - Dundas has a long local newspaper history; the Dundas Star ceased printing in 2023 amid a restructuring of community newspapers. Summary: The sculptures have prompted local discussion about public art and community identity in Dundas. The Granite Balloon has adopted the installation’s imagery and name as a vehicle for local history, humour and commentary. Undetermined at this time.