It's controversial. Is a balloon hat a work of art?
(c) Addi Somekh and Charles Eckert, Used by Permission.
In the Balloon Hat Experience, a single balloon and an entire gallery of photographs of those confections may both be considered art. Perhaps the "performance" aspect of the process is also artwork.
Addi Somekh is no birthday-balloon-hat clown. This California-based balloon virtuoso and New York photographer Charlie Eckert collaborate to document the wearing of balloon hats. In 2008, the two began traveling and shooting photographs of people wearing hats, which, I assume, Addi makes. They have gone to at least 34 countries. Over 10,000 photographs are the result of the project. I have no data as to how many balloons have gone into the creations.
(c) Addi Somekh and Charles Eckert, Used by Permission.
(c) Addi Somekh and Charles Eckert, Used by Permission.
(c) Addi Somekh and Charles Eckert, Used by Permission.
The two have been traveling across the globe designing fantastical shaped balloon hats and snapping photographs in a wide variety of locations: Nigeria, Ghana, Louisiana, Florida, Turkey, the Amazon, Norway and others. The photographs are beautiful--not just for the settings but for the incongruity of colorful, whimsical balloon hats on what often are somber faces or the smiling faces of uniformed professionals.
(c) Addi Somekh and Charles Eckert, Used by Permission.
While the article I first saw about the project in the July/August 2012 issue of Mental Floss stated they found that people couldn't help but smile while wearing a hat, the photographs clearly indicate that is not necessarily the truth of the matter. Additionally, in some photographs, only a single person is wearing a hat while a group of peers seem to be either unaware of or derisive of the hats and perhaps the person wearing it. I tried to imagine some of the people I know wearing them. With a few, it was a no-brainer fashion statement with which they would adore being adorned. For a few others, it is absolutely impossible for me to imagine them putting even the most beautiful of the hats on and of course this led me to wish that there was a morphing program where I could try out different balloon fashion statements on different people--not unlike the paper dolls I used to enjoy.
(c) Addi Somekh and Charles Eckert, Used by Permission.
One example of the lone hat wearer and the group attitude is the photo of the man in East LA wearing a wild hat--not
only does he look less than thrilled, one has to wonder what sort of
razzing he received from his friends later when the art team had left.
(c) Addi Somekh and Charles Eckert, Used by Permission.
While I find the photographs fascinating, more interesting to me is how they went about seeking out the people featured in the photos and what was the conversation leading to their agreement to wear the hats and be photographed. Did those chosen to wear them understand what they were or why they were going to wear them, much less have a photograph made while wearing them? Did they find it a strange American thing to do? Did it impact them in any long term or positive manner? I couldn't help wondering how people who were living in quite poor conditions and very likely struggling just to survive would greet the "need" to wear a balloon hat. Was it a bright moment in an otherwise bleak life? Or did it seem frivolous and ridiculous in the face of more serious concerns? Did anyone say no to wearing balloon hats?
(c) Addi Somekh and Charles Eckert, Used by Permission.
While I have not seen the 10,000 photographs, I hope they will be put into an affordable book (hey Addi, if you're reading this--I'd love to help you design and put one together!). I'd buy it if it was reasonably priced. As for the hat wearers, it is my hope that more of them were given a happy spark than a feeling of having to do something that made no sense to them.
While it may seem in some way humorous or about creating happiness, the project itself juxtaposes what appears silly or childish with some serious facial expressions and environments. The artwork excites and invites further dialogue and discussion about the process and the outcome.
I especially find it intriguing that Charles' work portfolio is newsy and fairly serious, even though some of those photographs are quite 'artful.' It seems a bit of a departure for him to photograph balloon hats on first blush. In retrospect, his ability to capture the human face is quite impressive and astounding. To see more of Charlie's work, check out his Portfolio. His stated goal "is to continue to make art that opens the lines of communication amongst different people."
(c) Addi Somekh and Charles Eckert, Used by Permission.
Addi is also a member of a balloon band called The Unpopables. Still think they aren't serious? Addi provides workshops and has a client list that includes O Magazine, Disney Networks and Wired Magazine. And he's worked with the Martha Stewart Show. More of the Balloon Hat Experience can be seen here. My hat is off to both Addi and Charles. Let's face it. It's hard not to smile when you see someone wearing the colorful balloons on their head. In the end, it turns out, I'm a fan.
Text (c)SZing, 2012. The photographs and video are (c) Charles Eckert and Addi Somekh, 2008-2012, Used by permission of Addi Somekh. Martha Stewart video (c) Martha Stewart Show.
