September 2, 2015 at 4:48 pm

Artist Installs 100,000 Balloon ‘Cloud’ Inside London’s Covent Garden

by twistedsifter

charles petillon invasion 100000 balloons covent garden (3)

Photograph by Paul Grover

 

If you’re in London, there’s an amazing installation currently on display at Covent Garden (South Hall) until 27 September 2015.

“Heartbeat” was created by French artist and photographer Charles Pétillon and is part of his ongoing balloon series entitled, Invasions. It’s his first ever public art installation outside of France.

[via designboom]

 

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Photograph by Paul Grover

 

In Heartbeat, 100,00 balloons fill the grand interior of the 19th century Market Building stretching 54 meters (177 ft) in length and 12 meters (39 ft) in width. To simulate the beating of a heart, Pétillon employed a gentle pulsating white light.

 

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Photograph by Paul Grover

 

“The balloon invasions I create are metaphors. Their goal is to change the way in which we see the things we live alongside each day without really noticing them. With Heartbeat I wanted to represent the Market Building as the beating heart of this area – connecting its past with the present day to allow visitors to re-examine its role at the heart of London’s life.” – Charles Pétillon

 

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Photograph by Paul Grover

 

In addition to the installation, a pop-up gallery on the Piazza at Unit 5, Royal Opera House Arcade, will showcase Charles’ series of Invasions photographs as well as some of his other work. The Covent Garden installation will be on display until September 27th. For more information visit their official website.

 

 

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Photograph by Paul Grover