Yesterday, New York City-born Israeli artist Sivan Sternbach began putting up the anticipated installation “Scatter My Balloons at Bergdorf’s,” an installation of ceramic balloons in the windows of the 5th Avenue department store, Bergdorf Goodman. Sternbach has exhibited at the Israel Museum Jerusalem and has been sculpting ceramic balloons for private collectors out of her studio in Tel Aviv. She was inspired by the documentary film “Scatter My Ashes at Bergdorf’s” but the process from then to today is a tale of perseverance.

According to the press release,

The day after seeing the film, Sivan fired off an email to David Hoey, Bergdorf’s long-time senior director for visual presentation. A whole year passed before he invited her to a meeting. After sending him countless emails, she finally resorted to sending him a sample ceramic balloon via Bergdorf’s mailroom – and that did the trick. Sivan met with David in New York, where he sketched all of Bergdorf’s display windows and they discussed the overall design.

There will be about 100 ceramic balloons in different sizes, shapes and colors, and in installation called “A Pile of Four Balloons” featuring four gigantic balloons made of fiberglass.

Next, check out the private penthouse that used to be in Bergdorf Goodman.