Addi Somekh Charlie Eckert "The Varieties Of The Balloon Hat Experience"

Every once in awhile something happens in the world that is of significant social value for society. The mainstream media, specifically the American Associated Press, and other world-wide news agencies may not recognize immediately the importance of such an event when it occurs, so sometimes it begins and concludes without much circumstance. That doesn't reduce the impact an event like this has on the people in the world that witness it. Such an event occurred in 2008, when a documentary was done about a couple of fellow artists named Addi Somekh and Charlie Eckert. That documentary was called "The Varieties Of The Balloon Hat Experience." 

http://www.balloonhat.com/diggy/#

It was produced by Andy Wermouth (pronounced vermouth) email: vermouth@zebrameat.com

and was the story of how happiness is a universal language, represented by balloons in all cultures across the globe. "Smiles" are always the common reaction from both children and grown-ups whenever a balloon artist takes the time to make an air-sculpture or a balloon hat, even when given to someone in a third-world country or in a place where war has ravaged the land and spirits of all the people that live there. The simple truth is that balloon art makes people happy all over the world. 

"The Varieties Of The Balloon Hat Experience" 

http://www.balloonhat.com/diggy/#

is a documentary film that chronicles the life and travels of two guys with a vision. Addi Somekh is a gifted balloon artist and Charlie Eckert is a photographer and together they set out on a trip around the world to take pictures of people laughing and having fun with balloons and show that no matter what the situation may be, people have the capacity to experience joy. People are wired to be naturally happy, even if just for a moment, under the worst conditions, people, when given the choice will find a way to show happiness and love. This film is about BALLOON ARTISTRY and PHOTOGRAPHY (Those that know me know these are two very important topics for me) The film is also about people, and how we are wired to  experience joy from our surroundings as well as love for each other. The link I have included will give you a preview of the experience. There are many pictures with captions that show and tell the story. As soon as I locate the movie, I will post instructions for viewing it. I am setting up a date in Tampa so that everyone can see the movie and help us raise money for a purpose which is to be announced. Please let me know what you think, I appreciate your comments and I hope learning about this documentary has  brought YOU a whole lot of joy!

              CREATIVE INFLATION
ART FOR A CAUSE - REASON FOR APPLAUSE

LIVE RICH!
=RICK=

EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP

I get that many of the folks that follow my blog are interested in the business of balloon artistry. They want to know Who I am, What I do, Where I'll be, and How I do it. Of course, there's always the "What does it cost?" question too, to which I usually respond,  "Price will vary" and then quickly begin answering the other more important questions that actually have to do with the ART form itself. It's not about the money, really. For me it's about the ART. It always has been. Artists have to make a living too, but the primary focus for us is in the creative processes that make the ART possible. Our "message" trumps our "money" for lack of a better way to explain it. This isn't a job. It's passion for a purpose. I call it ART FOR A CAUSE and I enjoy the pursuit of artistic excellence as much as I do the ART itself, even if we are just talking about some silly balloon animals! I expect people's natural curiosity to bring them here. If for nothing else than to just see what all the buzz is about. The pictures alone make this site something of interest for people who stop by. Thanks again for your interest in CREATIVE INFLATION. We wouldn't be what we are if it were not for our fans.


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I wanted to take a minute and let you guys know that there is a movie you need to see.
EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP is a movie that should be seen by both artists and non-artists alike. It is the unlikely story of how a French shop keeper named Terry Guetta in LA who sells vintage clothing to the Los Angeles, Bohemian Art-Crowd develops an obsession with "STREET ART", better known as graffiti, and decides to make a documentary about the experience. Armed with nothing more than a video camera, VERY little film making skills, and a passion for the art scene, Terry records thousands of hours of footage detailing the underground life and meaning of the artists from L.A. to England who risk arrest and prosecution for vandalism in their mission to use art to make statements that often flare with political unrest and poke fun at the establishment. Many of you will recognize the iconic images in the film and probably remember seeing them recently, somewhere in the real "DIRT" world before. Perhaps the most recognizable image is the Obama HOPE poster done for the Presidential campaign that got President Barack Obama elected as our first black president.This image was done by SHEPARD FAIREY who is a prolific street artist who is also responsible for the GIANT OBEY stickers that were mysteriously seen posted  throughout the world a few years ago on the sides of buildings and in cities on other surfaces of other structures where they seemed to appear overnight (which they did) and ultimately communicated a message that seemed authoritative, yet unclear. If you have seen these images and wondered what they meant, especially the image of the giant that commands you to "OBEY" then you can go to Shepard's website and hang out there for a while. Buy some of his art. It's way cool and I highly recommend it!

http://obeygiant.com/archives/page/3

The film features art by a variety of street artist, but none is probably more famous or INFAMOUS than the artist known as BANKSY. His identity is unknown, being kept a secret by those closest to him and even in the film he made his face is constantly obscured and his voice is digitally enhanced to prevent identifying him. BANKSY has done street art all over the world and though his true identity remains a mystery, his art has become so famous that it sells to some of the richest people in the world. Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Christina Aguillera, are just a few of the wealthiest buyers who recognize that ART FOR A CAUSE, the very theme of the CREATIVE INFLATION blog, is worth whatever price is asked if it means furthering the mission. BANKSY ART commands prices that are thousands and thousands of dollars, and if you are fortunate enough that he Tagged one of your buildings you are trying to sell, then chances are that the art will be worth more than the real estate itself! The statements made by manipulating iconic images found in popular culture has a powerful effect on the minds of the masses. We are so used to seeing images, designed by slick agencies who are hired to sell services and products, that when we are faced with an image with a message, designed for no other purpose than to just be ART, our minds are temporarily shaken and our reactions can be totally unpredictable. That's precisely what ART should be. It needs to stir in us a response that reminds us to stay conscious of what the advertising guerrillas are really attempting to do. They wish to control our minds. Street Art attempts to liberate your mind and help you unplug from the temple of hyper-consumerism that seems to be sucking us in to what I imagine to be a vortex, constantly spinning and pulling us down.  I could go on but instead I just ask that you see the movie, "EXIT THROUGH THE GIFT SHOP." You will be glad you did. Also, I want it to be known that I am made humble every time someone appreciates my balloon artistry. I never expected it to move anyone. It does, however, and that's how art should be. A force that moves the world to think and to feel, even if just for a moment. If balloon artistry is what you do, then your chosen art-form should be no exception. Presented in interesting ways, intelligently conceived, and thoughtfully presented, the right art, be it street art or even balloon art, may just change the world.

ART IS LIFE! 
=RICK=

ART FOR A CAUSE HALLOWEEN 2010 LARRY MOSS, ARTIST AND FRIEND

Hi Guys! (and Girls) It's October 2010, which is Halloween time, a particularly busy time for those of us who make a living entertaining, marketing and fund-raising with  balloons. Fall festivals and Halloween carnivals are big this time of year. SO if any of my students would like to know the best approach to getting invited to one of these family-friendly events as a FEE PAID entertainer, then leave a comment or shoot me an email creativeinflation@gmail.com and I will do my very best to answer your questions as accurately as I can. We like suggestions here too, so if anybody would like to suggest anything of value on the subject of working in October in the balloon industry, your comments are also welcome. In fact, comments are the life-line of any good blog, so please, comment away!

As many of you know, I am now offering private lessons in the Tampa Bay Area, to anyone who would like to learn how to twist balloons either for fun or profit. Just email me at: creativeinflationinstructions@gmail.com if you would like more info. on prices for group classes or for private lessons.

As CREATIVE INFLATION embarks on a new journey towards educating artists to entertain with balloons, I felt it was entirely appropriate to give credit where credit is due. There was a beginning for me once. Years before I grew to become a professional balloon artist, or developed a passionate interest in the photographic arts, I was inspired by a man who is perhaps the most talented balloon artist on this planet. His large-scale installations have drawn scores of people from around the world, who have gazed upon his creations with awe and wonder. From life-sized-orange-flying-balloon-octopuses, to a 10,000 square-foot haunted mansion, constructed entirely out of latex balloons, his creations are as magnificent as his talents are awesome. I was fortunate enough to meet Larry Moss in person at the Diamond Jam Balloon Festival in 2009, in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was one of the designers in the Balloon Dress Fashion Show, which will be the subject of one of my next posts. When I talk about my "Beginning" in the Balloon Industry, I am most certainly referring to Larry Moss and his company in New York known as  

AIRIGAMI...The Fine Art of Folding Air  www.airigami.com/blog

Larry is the kind of artist I appreciate most. With 25 years experience as an artist, beginning as a street performer in New York, he is one of the most recognized balloon artist in the world. Projects that bring communities together are of particular interest to him, according to his website. He has an advanced degree in applied mathematics and computer science, and a masters in elementary education. He's a brilliant small business owner and gifted entrepreneur too. He's published many books on creating advanced, balloon sculptures and he is particularly well known for his generous donations to non-profit organizations, going to benefit causes such as cancer treatment and research. His Haunted Balloon Manor, done in 2004, 

http://www.balloonhq.com/column/lmoss/dec04/

was a 10,000 square foot haunted house installation made completely from balloons, and is credited to have raised more than $34,000.00 in cash from ticket sales which was all given to the cancer center at Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, NY. This kind of thing is rare and respectable to say the least and since there aren't many guys like Larry Moss out there, I thought it would be best to introduce you guys to the artist who first inspired me.

http://www.balloonfunhouse.com/ 

                         photograph of Martha Stewart & Larry Moss courtesy of www.balloonfunhouse.com www.airigami.com                         

His art-work opened my eyes to what was possible with balloons, and more importantly, showed me how to get involved with the community and be a part of things bigger than myself. Larry's work has made a huge impression on me. It took 5 days, 240 community volunteers, 60 artists from 13 states and 2 provinces in Canada, 60,000 balloons and over 2000 hours to create Balloon Manor in 2004! This project is a perfect example of what people can do when they share a vision and commit to a goal. Projects like this are truly amazing! They illustrate for us the power of the human spirit, and reveal to us the depths of creativity locked away in the human mind. What I am most impressed by however, is the generosity shown by Larry Moss and all those who helped create Balloon Manor. These artists donated their time and talent along with $34,000.00 dollars generated from the event that could have made them richer, but instead went towards making people with cancer better. That's a story which must be shared with every aspiring artist from now on, whether they choose balloons as their medium or not. Let's take Larry's idea of 

"ART FOR A CAUSE" and do more extraordinary things for the communities where we live. Air-artistry certainly gets peoples attention. The "Balloon-Man" makes new friends every day. That's my whole point with this!  Is there a chance as a group of artists, we can identify special causes and use our unique art-form to raise money and make a difference and see things change? It has always been my vision to run CREATIVE INFLATION as a For-Profit company, benefiting Non-Profit organizations. As I continue to work out the fuzzy details, perhaps you can help with the logic.  I challenge all the members of my tribe, all the people that read my blog posts, everyone I encounter every day, I challenge you guys to come up with this kind of  "Larger-Than-Life" art project that can be used to spearhead a campaign and raise serious money for a serious cause. I am willing to listen to you, no matter how out of this world it may seem to anyone else, I am totally on-board and ready to assist with this type of project! I believe that when people put their minds together and decide to do something great, there is a magical force which assists them and makes all things possible! So what do you want to do? Who needs help out there? Let's show the world again what a bunch of visionary artists can do with a few balloons! 

I think, with some strong leadership, a common goal, a whole lot of heart and a little bit of talent, we should be able to use air-artistry to REPEATEDLY raise money for good causes and bring hope to people all over the world!  Please submit your proposals and fund-raising ideas by email.  No suggestion is too big or too small. How can we use balloon artistry to make a difference in the world?

creativeinflation@gmail.com

Peace, Life & LIGHT
=RICK=