Corkscrew Balloon I:
Construction
Here is how
the Corkscrew Balloon I was brought into existence. These
photos, taken at the balloon factory, show the construction
process. Click to expand them!
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The artist fills in all of
the colors for each panel on the balloon, and she
sketches in the corkscrew design. Here, she is
pointing to the production work sheet for the first
balloon. She would normally work from a sketch like
the one lying there, in anticipation of it being the
one for the second balloon. |
| This information is then
loaded into a computer. The computer creates the huge
templates that are used for cutting the fabric for
the balloon. It also generates the art work. |
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This shows me holding a
transparency that was used to make one of the five
corkscrew designs on the balloon. In the foreground
is a partial view of the artist's sketch for
Corkscrew Balloon I. |
| The paper templates in the
cutting room are overlayed with balloon fabric. |
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The panels are bundled and
sent to those who do the sewing. |
| The panels and gores are
sewn by teams assigned to each balloon. |
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Then they sew some more,
just to be sure! |
| Usually, several balloons
are in various stages of production at any one time. |
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