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File this under things you didn’t know you needed: Chicago Bulls mascot Benny the Bull will make a surprise appearance inside one of the city’s most surreal art experiences.
For one morning only on Sunday, April 26, Benny will pop up at "EmotionAir: Art You Can Feel," the immersive inflatable exhibition currently taking over The Fields Studios. The activation is part of a new partnership between the Bulls and the touring Balloon Museum, which has been drawing crowds with its large-scale, interactive installations.
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The appearance itself is shrouded in a bit of a mystery—Benny is scheduled to show up at an undisclosed time during the morning—but that’s part of the appeal. Visitors who arrive when doors open at 10am will have the best shot at catching the mascot in action, whether he’s mugging for photos, hyping up the crowd or, presumably, finding a way to turn inflatable art into a basketball-related bit.
“We are thrilled to partner with the Chicago Bulls to be able to bring the franchise’s mascot, Benny The Bull, to Balloon Museum,” said Roberto Fantauzzi, CEO of Lux Entertainment, in a statement. “Benny brings such joy and excitement to Chicagoland, aligning with our mission of bringing that same joy, inspiration, and emotional connection to Balloon Museum visitors.”
If you’ve somehow missed him at a game, Benny is one of the most endearing mascots in professional sports, known for slapstick antics, high-flying stunts and a commitment to chaos. It’s a pretty perfect pairing, since "EmotionAir" itself leans into that same sensory delight, with installations by international artists designed to be experienced physically as much as visually. The Fields Studios is stuffed with glowing tunnels, towering inflatable forms and environments that shift as you move through them, turning the day into more of an interactive playground than a hushed museum experience.
The show runs through September 7, but Benny the Bull stops in for just the one morning. Admission to the museum includes access to the pop-up, so if you’re already planning a visit, consider this a bonus. And if you’re not? Well, there are worse ways to spend a Sunday morning than wandering through inflatable art and meeting a 6-foot-tall red bull.
The Fields Studios is located at Gate 1, 2828 N. Pulaski Road. For tickets and more information, click here.