Entry No. 19 — the Minneapolis file — filed under: outdoor
House of Balls
Operating for nearly 40 years, this surreal, interactive artist-built environment is the studio and gallery of sculptor Allen Christian, who transforms discarded bowling balls, piano guts, and scrap metal into whimsical, touchable, and mechanical human figures.
The story
For nearly four decades, sculptor Allen Christian has been converting industrial scrap and street salvage into tactile, mechanical humanoids. He operated out of the North Loop for 28 years before transplanting the entire operation—studio, gallery, and inventory—to its current storefront on 7th Street South in Cedar-Riverside.
Inside, you are surrounded by figures constructed from plasma-cut pressure cookers, braised crankshafts, piano guts, and carved bowling balls. Where traditional art spaces post guards to enforce a hands-off policy, Christian built this space on the premise that art should be grabbed, turned, and manipulated by whoever wanders through the front door.
What it's like
Head to 1504 7th St S in Cedar-Riverside, a short walk from the METRO Blue Line. Hit the external buttons set into the facade to kick the window sculptures into mechanical motion before you step inside. The interior feels like a working workshop where Christian is often on-site at his bench. Before you leave, pick up the intercom to leave a voice message—your recording gets fed directly into the gallery's looping soundtrack. Double-check operating hours online before making the trip, as studio access shifts around active work schedules.
The move: Walk in during open hours to meet the artist, push the interactive buttons to animate window sculptures, and leave a voice recording on the intercom to contribute to the gallery's looping audio.
- 📍 Cedar-Riverside
- 💸 $
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 1504 7th St S, Minneapolis, MN 55454
Hours: Added 2026-07-21 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Foci Minnesota Center for Glass Arts (Foci MCGA) — Follow up Christian's scrap-metal workshop with a visit to Minnesota's public glassblowing studio less than a mile away.
- Rockman Sculptures at Federal Courthouse Plaza — Contrast Christian's raw, industrial figures with Tom Otterness's cartoony bronze Rockman sculptures set on the nearby courthouse plaza.
- Wangensteen Historical Library of Biology and Medicine — Trade mechanical, human-shaped scrap metal for centuries-old anatomical flap books and historical medical artifacts across the river.
Good to know
Can you actually touch the sculptures?
Yes. The artwork is built specifically to be touched, cranked, and physically manipulated by visitors.
What happens when you speak into the intercom?
Voice recordings left on the intercom system are added to the gallery's continuous looping audio playback.
How do I get there using public transit?
The studio is located in Cedar-Riverside and sits within walking distance of the METRO Blue Line light rail.
Who operates the space?
Sculptor Allen Christian owns and operates the studio and gallery, creating all the works on site.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Atlas Obscura · minnevangelist.com · doorsopenminneapolis.org · mnartists.walkerart.org
last checked: 2026-07-21