Balloon Art

Jason Hackenwerth, a New York-based balloon artist, is known for his balloon sculptures of biological forms and creatures, like this anemone-like sculpture, which was on display in the Grand Gallery of the National Museum of Scotland as part of the Edinburgh International Science Festival .



The sculpture represents the artist’s interpretation of the legend of Aphrodite and Eros. The spiraled double helix structure was created with more than 10,000 coloured balloons and hung over 40 feet tall.

Jason, born in St Louis now lives and works in New York and has exhibited his work around the world at galleries and museums including the Guggenheim in New York, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and at the 51st Venice Biennale as well as in Hong Kong and Mexico. "Pisces" is the first artwork that he has created in Scotland.



It took three members of Science Festival staff six days to blow up the 10,000 balloons which were woven into an intricate three dimensional structure by Jason and his assistant Leah Blair. It not only proved to be back-breaking work, but Jason and his team also had to wear ear protectors to protect their hearing from the constant popping and squeaking of balloons, as well as protective tape on their fingers.

The sculpture was on display in the Grand Gallery until 14th April.