Note: The project is now complete. Check out the pictures of the finished sculpture.
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| As seen in the video above with Stan Munro, this head is an early prototype of one soccer player's head. After construction a decision was made to modify the design for the final sculpture. |
IBS (International Balloon Services), a Belgian balloon distributor, and Pioneer Balloon Company, a maker of high quality latex balloons, are co-sponsoring a world record attempt by Larry Moss and Royal Sorell. The subject of the attempt is the largest non-round balloon sculpture. The sculpture will depict soccer players in the colors of the national teams of Belgium and the Netherlands.
Building of this massive sculpture will commence on June 1, 2000 in Mol, Belgium as a precursor to The Millennium Jam where balloon twisters from around the world will meet.
Balloon sculpture takes on a variety of forms. Most large balloon sculptures these days use round balloons. These sculptures require materials such as string, mono filament line, or some type of framing in order to hold them together. Non-round, or twisty balloons, which are most often thought of as the balloons used to make balloon doggies can be shaped and connected without the use of additional materials.
As the time grows near, many preparations are being made. Below are some of the early sketches and a prototype of some of the more difficult pieces of the final sculpture. Photos of the previous record sculpture can be found here.
Royal Sorell and Larry Moss have designed a sculpture that will stand 25 feet tall. The sculpture will consist of soccer players, a soccer ball, and a goal. This subject was chosen due to the popularity of football in Europe and the upcoming European Football Championship 2000.
The materials to be used include 50,000 non-round latex balloons of varying shapes and sizes. All balloons will be connected by twisting them together. No frames or other materials will be necessary to form the figures. Upon completion, rigging materials will be used to hold the figures upright in order to make viewing easier.
Larry Moss is a balloon artist, magician, and juggler that has performed in venues including street corners, restaurants, classrooms, stages, rock concerts, and television. He has taught classes in balloon art in 11 countries on three continents. Publications include two books on balloon art with a third coming out soon, and the largest balloon art web site on the Internet. Larry unofficially holds the current record for the largest balloon sculpture in the world. Larry lives in Rochester, NY.
Royal Sorell is a balloon artist, magician, mime, and character clown with credits including performances at Boston's Faneuil Hall, Entertainment Tonight, The White House, and the Entertainer of the Year award from the International Balloon Arts Convention. He is known internationally as an instructor of balloon art. Royal lives in Peabody, MA.
Learn more about the artists:
The team working to build this sculpture consists of 20 balloon twisters from the US and Europe. Each of these twisters is a skilled artist in his own right. Combined, they will produce a piece of artwork unlike any that has been seen before.
Royal Sorell and Larry Moss are available for on-air interviews. To schedule an interview, send email to moss@fooledya.com.
Television appearances related to the Guinness record attempts:
The following sketches were used early in the design phase to establish the scale of various pieces. Both artists involved prefer to work with balloons over paper, but the interstate collaboration required sharing of ideas. Drawings are easier to fax and email than balloons.
Note: The project is now complete. Check out the pictures of the finished sculpture.