Explore the idea of capturing stunning photoshoots at party venues. Imagine the birthday star dressed in a dashing aviator outfit, posing with oversized balloon props against sky-blue balloons. How about a miniature hot air balloon basket for the cutest clicks? Add a dash of magic with cloud-shaped cushions for a soft landing spot. Let’s not forget the enchanting fairy costumes for the little guests. Each photograph will capture the joy and excitement of this unique theme, making the party an unforgettable journey. So, fasten your seatbelts and let your camera capture these precious memories as you soar high in the world of imagination!
Art Now and Then
“Art Now and Then” does not mean art occasionally. It means art NOW as opposed to art THEN. It means art in 2020 as compared to art many years ago. sometimes many, many, MANY years ago. It is an attempt to make that art relevant now, letting artists back then speak to us now in the hope that we may better understand them, and in so doing, better understand ourselves and the art produced today.
Click on photos to enlarge.
Tuesday, July 22, 2014
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| A recent hot air balloon Rally in San Diego |
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| Early balloon designs befoe 1800. |
A few weeks ago, my daughter-in-law (a former Marine) took her first hot-air balloon ride. She and our son live in Arizona where hot-air ballooning is more than just a passing fad. A few days later she read of a hot air balloon becoming entangled in power lines, crashing, and killing its occupants. Asked if she planned to take any more such aeronautical jaunts, the answer was a resounding “NO!” The sport/hobby is not for the weak of heart or those weak in the wallet. I wouldn’t mind trying it, but like my son’s wife, probably only once. I’m not exactly lighter than air even though I’ve been accused a few times of being full of hot air. In any case, the diagrams at right illustrate an early scientific explanation of the how and why as well as a few suggestions as to balloon design. It’s basically a propane torch, an air bag, and a wicker basket. If that doesn’t sound reassuring, you’re in good company.
Balloon painting.from around 1900, artist unknown.
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| Ascent of the Montgolfier balloon, Versailles, 1783 |
The first hot air craft dates as far back as 1783 (right) when the French Montgolfier brothers persuaded Francois Pilatre de Rozier and François Laurent d’Arlandes to put all their legs in one basket, then untethered the whole thing allowing it to drift off into the skies over the royal palace of Versailles while Louis XIV presumably enjoyed the spectacle immensely. For the next two-hundred years, hot air ballooning made great technical strides but any connection to art had mostly to do with paintings of balloons (above) and the decorative embellishments of the broad expanse of nylon separating the hot air inside from the cooler air outside, allowing the balloon to lift off. Then, around 1970, perhaps taking their cue from Macy’s Thanksgiving extravaganzas, ballooners were no longer satisfied with even the most colorful creations, began crafting shaped envelopes.
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| Forbes Balloon patterned after his Normandy chateau |
| Has NASA tried this? |
One of the biggest balloon rallies in Europe takes place at Balleroy, France, not far from Malcolm Forbes’ lavish Chateau de Balleroy, a replica of which which he had made into a balloon (above). After setting several distance records, Forbes started something of a fad, adding a new element to hot air ballooning. Since then, the sky has literally been the limit where shaped balloons are concerned. The only other limitations seem to be costs, the imagination of their owners, and perhaps their sense of humor.
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| Locomotives are not quite what one first thinks off as anything so light as a balloon. |
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| Vincent rises to new heights. |
From French chateaus, there evolved locomotives (above), space shuttles (above left), all manner of cartoon-like animals, and, of course, balloons designed to advertise. Even Vincent van Gogh made the cut, his portrait head floating among the clouds, literally turning heads of those gazing up from below. Quite apart from the sculptor’s art in putting together such floating images, there’s a rather complex bit of aeronautical engineering involved as well. Such crafts, if they’re to be flown, are quite literally a matter of life and death. A traditional cone topped with a spherical shape is ideal, a rectilinear French chateau is a different matter. Their parade cousins are tethered to a team of handlers trying to prevent the helium-filled inflated sculpture from rising more than a few dozen feet into the air.
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| Floating Turtles? |
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| Floating Elephants? Peanuts, not Dumbo |
The hot air shaped balloon today employs a design theme. Yet, not only are they not tethered, but they must be stable enough, once airborne, to be piloted and at the same time protecting those in the basket below, all while soaring thousands of feet into the sky. That’s pretty serious art, giving new meaning to the old saying, “art is not a matter of life and death–it’s more important than that.
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| So this is where babies come from. and how they may arrive. |
Posted by Jim Lane at 12:01 AM
Details for a Carried Away Hot Air Balloon Birthday Party
Get ready to take flight with a hot air balloon-themed birthday party! Let your creativity soar as you transform your venue with vibrant balloon decorations, cloud-shaped balloons, and mini hot air balloon centerpieces. Use vintage maps for party invitations and tablecloths for an adventurous touch. Serve food in picnic baskets to give the feel of an actual balloon ride. For activities, consider a ‘balloon lift-off’ where kids can release helium balloons into the sky. How about a DIY station where little guests can decorate their paper hot air balloons? And don’t forget party favors—mini hot air balloon keychains or cookies are perfect.
When planning a hot air balloon-themed birthday event, party venues take center stage! Find a sprawling outdoor location with large balloon decorations and enough room for entertaining balloon-centric games. A clear, open sky is crucial to create the illusion of embarking on an exciting hot air balloon journey. If available, opt for a place with a grassy patch for a picnic-style feast. A locale with trees can be perfect for hanging mini hot air balloons and lanterns. If you’re considering an actual hot air balloon ride, ensure the venue has the required permissions and safety protocols. The proper venue will kindle everyone’s imagination, making them feel part of a whimsical, sky-high adventure!
Outdoor Party Ideas for a Carried Away Hot Air Balloon Birthday Party
Celebrate your child’s big day in style with a hot air balloon-themed birthday party! Outdoor adventures like balloon rides, scavenger hunts, and sports games will ensure your guests have a blast. Adding a hot air balloon theme will undoubtedly make your party stand out. Decorate with a vibrant red, blue, and yellow color palette, and fill the space with balloons of all shapes and sizes. Keep your guests happy and refreshed with juices, sodas, and bottled water. Why not add a “unicorn” twist to the party for an extra sprinkle of magic? Provide colorful hats and face paint for added fun. No matter how you plan it, your hot air balloon birthday party will be memorable for everyone!
What’s a party without some mouthwatering party food that’ll leave you craving for more? Start with cloud-shaped sandwiches or balloon-shaped cookies. Go for colorful fruit skewers to match the theme’s vibrancy. A cake decorated like a hot air balloon will be the showstopper. For drinks, serve colorful fruit punch in clear glasses to mimic the colors seen in hot air balloons. You could also have a ‘build your own’ ice cream sundae station with a rainbow of toppings. Don’t forget to include popcorn or cotton candy resembling clouds for extra fun. With these imaginative food and drink ideas, your guests’ taste buds will be on a gastronomic journey as thrilling as a hot air balloon ride!
Cake Ideas for a Carried Away Hot Air Balloon Birthday Party
And now, indulge in a deliciously sweet treat for the pièce de résistance. the birthday cake! Picture a multi-tiered masterpiece, frosted in shades of blue to imitate the sky, with a fondant hot air balloon taking center stage. Or, go for individual cupcakes adorned with tiny edible balloons. You could even opt for a round cake designed to look like a bird’s eye view of a hot air balloon. If you love surprises, consider a rainbow-colored inside to mimic the vibrant colors of a real hot air balloon. And don’t forget about cake pops shaped and decorated like mini hot air balloons!
Creating the perfect table setting for a carried-away hot air balloon birthday party is simple and fun! Start by picking out a tablecloth in a bright, cheerful color; try pastel blue, yellow, or pink for a light and airy look. Then, pick out plates that feature hot air balloons to keep the theme consistent, add a few colorful napkins, and place them in a basket or on the table. Finish off the table setting with a few fun favors. Place a mini hot air balloon in each place setting or fill the balloons with candy or small trinkets. Kids will be excited to take home a special balloon as a party favor.
