Hirshhorn Bubble Bursts

After four years of planning and fundraising for an inflatable structure that would have seasonally occupied the center of the Hirshhorn Museum's courtyard, the Smithsonian Institution has canceled "The Bubble." A statement from the Smithsonian cites financial difficulties as the main reason for canceling the Diller Scofidio + Renfro-designed project, which had grown to a $15 million price tag, not including operation and storage of the structure. The decision comes a couple weeks after the announcement that Hirshhorn Director Richard Koshalek is stepping down, and two months after Michael Bloomberg promised a donation of $1 million toward the project; the latter was not enough to reach the final amount nor quell doubts within the Hirshhorn's board.

Lastly, the Smithsonian statement points to a different future for the Hirshhorn: "The Smithsonian remains committed to offering year-round art installations, performances and cultural programming in its various venues around Washington. Although the Bubble will not be built, the Smithsonian is working with an architectural firm known for its innovative designs, the Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), on a master plan for the South Mall that includes the Hirshhorn and the Arts and Industries Building, which is scheduled to reopen in September 2014."