About this Project
My name is Jordan Selha and I am taking a class in Art Concepts. One of my assignments is to create an art project that expresses the idea of memory and utilizes a form of mail art. To fulfill the assignment, I have "released" helium balloons into the world*. Each balloon includes a message inviting the recipient to visit this blog to participate in a dialogue. If you have been directed to this site from an Aired Memoirs Balloon, I invite you to post your comments about having received the balloon. Tell us your thoughts and feelings when you first encountered the balloon and share any memories that may have been triggered by it.
If you discovered this website on your own, or followed a link from another site, feel free to leave your own thoughts about the project and/or any memories it evokes for you.
Why balloons? One of my strongest memories from childhood is waking up in the morning to find helium balloons floating down into our yard. This happened on at least one occasion and it included a return address inside. I used to dream about this regularly and I remember laying on the grass in our front yard (see background photo) wishing for it to happen again. The idea of communicating via balloon was appealing to me as it spoke to an interest in fantasy, random occurrence, and adventure as well as a desire to be linked to others outside of my very small, quaint existence in rural Iowa.
*Due to environmental concerns, I tied the balloons where they could be easily found on cars that were in short term parking lots (grocery stores, second hand stores, restaurants, mall, gas station, drug store). In most cases, I tied them to car antenna or door handle.
My name is Jordan Selha and I am taking a class in Art Concepts. One of my assignments is to create an art project that expresses the idea of memory and utilizes a form of mail art. To fulfill the assignment, I have "released" helium balloons into the world*. Each balloon includes a message inviting the recipient to visit this blog to participate in a dialogue. If you have been directed to this site from an Aired Memoirs Balloon, I invite you to post your comments about having received the balloon. Tell us your thoughts and feelings when you first encountered the balloon and share any memories that may have been triggered by it.
If you discovered this website on your own, or followed a link from another site, feel free to leave your own thoughts about the project and/or any memories it evokes for you.
Why balloons? One of my strongest memories from childhood is waking up in the morning to find helium balloons floating down into our yard. This happened on at least one occasion and it included a return address inside. I used to dream about this regularly and I remember laying on the grass in our front yard (see background photo) wishing for it to happen again. The idea of communicating via balloon was appealing to me as it spoke to an interest in fantasy, random occurrence, and adventure as well as a desire to be linked to others outside of my very small, quaint existence in rural Iowa.
*Due to environmental concerns, I tied the balloons where they could be easily found on cars that were in short term parking lots (grocery stores, second hand stores, restaurants, mall, gas station, drug store). In most cases, I tied them to car antenna or door handle.
Post your comments below
ReplyDeleteWhen I first saw the balloon, I thought great another advertisement. Can't they just leave me alone? But when I read the note I felt a little tingle run down my spine. I felt special because I had been picked. It really made my day. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI think this is an amazing project and hope you get many more wonderful comments like your first one.
ReplyDeleteI, like Anonymous, when seeing the random balloons tied to cars in the shopping center parking lot thought one of the business' was advertising a special deal. I was somewhat jealous thinking that someone just got a free years membership to the fitness center or a free meal at one of the restaurant's or some free groceries at the food mart. Now knowing the story behind the balloon I see a greater vision....a memory of a child growing up and hoping that my child would have all of the knowledge it takes to succeed and survive in life as well as be happy. One thing that I didn't realize I was teaching this child was how important it was to learn to live with creativity. Jordan, my son, I am so proud of your creativity and think this project was amazing as you are.
ReplyDeleteI've sent out around 25 balloons now with 6 more today. Hoping for more responses...
ReplyDelete