Purity in the City …
So, what would purity in the city look like? How visible would just a small amount of purity in the chaos and distraction of New York City? That was a recent question in my mind. Through a somewhat strange, off beat mental journey I came up with white balloons filled with helium. You don’t usually see a big bunch of balloons in the ciy. And when you do … Well, there is something refreshing about that sight.
I walked around Manhattan for a few hours toting my 25 balloons, camera and some light gear. And let me tell you … What an experience! I had more random conversations, smiles, giggles, waves, gestures, and hellos in those three short hours than any other three hours in my life!
New York City is such a surprising place.
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26. May 2009 at 07:34
This is such a beautiful visual story. Why is it that a balloon can say so much? They make me happy.
26. May 2009 at 11:12
yes, jenny- quite happy. Is it b/c balloons remind us of childhood? Yet why do we not remember the time when we wailed as we watched our balloon escape? The joy outlives the pain? Is that only true for children- before innocence lost?
My faves were the bench and the last shot w/the sunset…really, really good ones, NB!
29. May 2009 at 15:18
Hi ladies … I agree all around. What is it about balloons that capture such an avid interest from innocent bystanders? It really was a great way to spend an afternoon!
I’m thinking we’ll have to do this balloon thing a few more times … sort of a social experiment. I wonder what type of reaction I’d receive if I were toting 25 black balloons, and wearing all black clothes. That’d be interesting!
20. July 2009 at 11:38
[...] in the City’ was initially a personal photo project of Neil Brown’s that he graciously let us appropriate on a larger scale, taking balloons from Riverside [...]