I had the great pleasure of meeting balloon twister Addi Somekh a few years back at a preschool event where he was creating balloon hats for all of the students. We had such fun watching him work that I picked up one of his cards and decided to check out his web site. What I discovered was more than just info on a party performer, this was a guy passionate about his craft, someone who sees colors and shapes coming out of your head, and brings his visions to life in the form of elaborate sculptural balloon hats.

It was Addi’s friend Charlie Eckert, a photographer, who offhandedly suggested bringing balloon hats to random people around the world. Captivated by the idea, Addi and Charlie set out on a journey to create a photo art book drawn from their adventures and to prove their thesis: people everywhere need joy to survive, whether it be the Balkan States in the aftermath of war, the strife-ridden Middle East, or the forgotten jungles of the developing world. A sampling of images from their travels can be found below and many more can be found on Addi’s site which also includes stories and interviews with people they met along the way. I don’t use the word ‘inspirational’ often, but the manner in which Addi and Charlie executed their simple concept fits the bill in a beautiful way.

Photographic prints of several of the above images can be be purchased here.

In the midst of their world travels, Addi and Charlie met A.G. Vermouth, a documentary film maker and well, you can imagine where that might lead. Flash forward several years to June of 2005 and Balloon Hat, the documentary premieres. Learn more here.

Working with balloons on a daily basis, it only makes sense that Addi would become familiar with most every aspect of the inflatables, including the sounds they can produce. In the spring of 2004, he made 50 different balloon drums and then invited two of his favorite drummers to record a set of improvised duets. The results were more captivating than anyone could have imagined and culminated in the creation of the Balloon Drum Album. A visit to balloondrums.com also includes a tutorial on how to create your own set of drums, a great family activity.

Inspired to try your hand at a little balloon twisting? A good place to start is with The Inflatable Crown: Balloon Hat Kit. The kit comes with a 152-page book, a piston-action pump and 30 Qualatex balloons and teaches you how to make balloon hats with simple, full-color, step-by-step instructions, from simple but cool looking hats, to more complex ones.

“The main purpose of any balloon hat is to uplift a person’s spirits.
Here are some common situations where balloon twisting can make a big (and fast) impact.”

1) Showing Gratitude
2) Celebrating Birthdays
3) Making Friends on the Road
4) Cheering up a Sick Friend
5) Procrastinating
6) Break into the Fashion Model Business
7) Earning Money
Rockin’ the Party
9) Becoming a Few Feet Taller
10) Spicing Up the Family Portrait

Join Addi’s mailing list to receive the Balloon Hat photo of the week. Or subscribe to Addi’s Inflatable Minute - weekly YouTube videos featuring his balloon hat adventures.

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