French artist Charles Pétillon has created “Heartbeat“, a stunning installation that features an enormous cloud of low-flying white balloons that seemingly invaded the Covent Garden Market Building in London before coming to a halt and taking its place, hanging delicately over shoppers. According to the artist, the balloons represent change in perspective.
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. Each balloon has its own dimensions and yet is part of a giant but fragile composition that creates a floating cloud above the energy of the market below. This fragility is represented by contrasting materials and also the whiteness of the balloons that move and pulse appearing as alive and vibrant as the area itself.
The installation, Pétillon’s largest to date, will remain on display through September 27, 2015.
A look behind the scenes of the installation.