Jason Hackenwerth

Jason Hackenwerth strings together balloons to create his beautiful sculptures, which have been hung in galleries, paraded down sreets and used to entertain large groups of kids. Here he tells us a little bit more about his unusual art form

What inspired you to use ballons when creating your sculptures?

I had been using balloons as a street performer since 1989. While in art school I made my living as a clown making poodles and swords.

Where do your ideas come from? What imagery do you use for research, if any, or are they just conjured up from your imagination?

My sculptures and titles are often inspired by events, conversations, discoveries, books I’ve read, and even movies.

How are your sculptures made and is there a particular process you go through?

There is a process. I blow up thousands of balloons and I twist them all together.

Have you ever been asked to do a kid's birthday party?

I have done more kids parties than I can remember. People do still ask but usually as a lame joke.

Are you working on any projects at the moment? Any exhibitions coming up?

I am working on permanent sculptures for a show in Vermont at the Fire House gallery in April and will be creating sculpture at Purdue University as well as the TED conference in Jan Feb.

What do you aim to achieve in the next few years?

World domination.

Where would you most like to see your balloon sculptures and why?

It would be wonderful to see my work in the Guggenheim some day, but the intention of the work is to be accessible to all. I started out putting installations in the Subway Stations here in NYC. I still love to get it out there and surprise people with colorful, playful, fun art.

Jason Hackenwerth www.jasonhackenwerth.com

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