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Who is this Môssieur Ballon?
Hi, it's me... Pierrick, an enthusiast with a cross-disciplinary background in volunteer work, music, puppets, Open Source development or even old buildings renovation, but essentially, for more than 20 years or so, in balloon artistry.
It was the children who spontaneously gave me this nickname from the start, then I added the circumflex accent for fun.
Other similar spelling going around on the net can be plagiarism. But since "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery", it's to be taken as a compliment.
Mission
Popularize the amazing artistic properties of balloons.
Balloon twisting is not magic, it is an art that should be shared just like music, painting or juggling. And if there is a plethora of circus schools or music conservatories, there is still no balloon art school, or so few that it is quite difficult to find.
Yet there is so much to learn in this area: the classic little balloon animals so popular with children, but also balloon weaving that can sometimes be found in fashion shows highlighting breathtaking dresses in balloons. There is also the meticulous art of balloon flowers (whose concept is probably at the origin of the popular balloon distortion), and much more.
On a related note, we have all seen classic balloon decorations, usually in the form of arches, garlands or columns, at birthdays, weddings, political rallies or business events, but do you know that it is also possible to make giant decorations, with life-size houses, trees, characters or animals, entirely made with balloons?
Journey
1996First Balloon Animal
A friend suggests that I give balloon animals to the children after my puppet shows (I used to have a puppet show) and she gives me Marvin L. Hardy's book along with a balloon twisting kit. That year, I try, with a trembling hand, my very first balloon sculpture, on page 12 of the book, the mouse.
1998First Balloon Events
First public events for the benefit of the Beau P'tit Monde association of which I am a member at the time. This organization works in Benin, where I spent my childhood.
2000First Balloon Decorations
In response to several requests, I start balloon decorations. Very simply at first, mainly arches, garlands and columns.
2006The Official Birth
Registration of Môssieur Ballon brand and creation of the first logo.
2009First Tutorials
Preparation and video editing of the first balloon twisting tutorials that will be published a few month later on YouTube.
2010Balloon Show
First balloon show in Cholet, which will be the start of a long series of shows where balloons and children are kings.
2011Meeting other Balloon Artists
Balloon convention, in Dourdan close to Paris, where I learn balloon weaving.
2012Salon Linux
Multi-purpose mission at Zarafa stand at the Solutions Linux summit in Paris: translation, counsel and balloon twisting !
2013Giant Balloon Scenery
Like an ice sculptor, this is my first live performance in Montpellier, to create this Robinhood themed balloon decor, with life-size characters and animals. Again this will be the beginning of a long series to come..
2014Back to India
Short trip to India where I lived in the 80s and got married. Here in Pondicherry with the children of the neighborhood where I stay, introducing them to balloon twisting.
2015Balloon Puppets
I am adapting my old puppet show to balloons. The booth is replaced by a castle entirely made with balloons and the puppets play on its ramparts.
2016Publicity Billboards
Besançon covered with 4x3 publicity posters advertising the show and the giant sculptures of M(ôssieur) Ballon.
2016Balloon Automatons
This project, which has been brewing for several months, is finally coming true. Balloon automatons slip into the giant sets to bring them to life. It is magic!
2017Giant Balloon Wall
10,000 balloons to make this giant billboard, 15 meters long and 3 meters high.
2019Giant Balloon Elephant
Life-size elephant in balloon weaving. Okay, maybe not quite life-size, but almost... let's say an Asian (baby) elephant, which as everyone knows is less imposing than its cousin, the African elephant.
2020Life-size Balloon Motorbike
Ten hours needed to make this Harley Davidson, which combines several balloon techniques such as balloon twisting and balloon decoration, as well as balloon weaving and balloon distortion.
New Chapter
To sum it all up, after these twenty years, tens of thousands of kilometers and hundreds of thousands of balloons, it's time to switch gears.
In other words, moving from action to education:
- by resuming the regular publication of new video and photos tutorials on balloon twisting,
- by opening new learning sections on classic balloon decoration and on giant balloon decorations,
- by setting up a structured method and a real follow-up for all those who want it or who feel the need for it.
This program is being put in place gradually, it is now the priority behind the new version of this Website!
