Larry Moss: Bringing communities together via art
Larry was one of our last minute additions to the program. Because of this, his talk was quite a bit shorter than we would’ve liked, but I think he manages to hit the mark brilliantly in the time allotted. An artist with a most unusual medium, Larry uses his talents not just to entertain, but to educate and bring people together. He has worked with disparate groups all over the world, and was able to get people who didn’t even share a common language to help build some of the most amazing structures I’ve ever seen.
On a personal note, if you got to meet Larry at the conference you learned the same thing about him as I did: he’s one of the nicest, most genuine people I’ve ever met. I am very glad I got the chance to meet him and learn more about him, and I thought his talk was both inspiring and highly entertaining. Enjoy…
Van Gogh used paint, Rodin worked in bronze, Larry Moss shapes air with his medium of choice: balloons. Larry has displayed his "airigami" in 12 countries on four continents. His achievements have been recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records, Associated Press, CNN, PBS, Smithsonian Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, American Profile and Ripley's Believe It or Not!
In this talk, Larry explains how art has the power to build, unite, and transform communities. Over the past 10 years, Larry had used his art to draw people together in creative environments. He says "I've found that the art I create is more accessible to larger audience, due in part to my chosen medium, latex balloons. I've brought together artists and inexperienced volunteers to create family-friendly exhibits and events that have benefited local communities in many ways. When the public is empowered to create art, they embrace their ownership in the work and go out of their way to share it with others, spreading smiles and, in some cases, even raising money with their art to further benefit the community. Through examples of past community art projects, I will demonstrate the power of art in communities."
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Original comment posted at tedxrochester.com
ResponderExcluir===============================
It is great to see Larry in front of this group with his story. He is a long time leader and wonderful representative of the best in our worldwide balloon community and industry.
We use translucent film made with sap drained from trees or made with oil drained from the earth. We sculpt envelopes for air. We transform them with hands, with machines and with imagination.
In the process we inflate not just balloons, but our own sense of self worth as we are transformed by rewards of money, smiles and praise.
In the process we stretch not just balloons but the imaginations of our customers with the possibility that they too might become creators and not just creatures.
In the process we color not just the light seen through our balloons but we color the emotions and attitudes of those persons whom we engage with our displays.
As we exercise our balloon arts we have daily opportunities to expand business, stretch imaginations, and color attitudes in positive ways. When we do these things, the momentum of our individual influence combines with others in a world wide Balloon Arts Movement that can significantly alter and improve the world around us.
Well, I did not intend to sound quite so much like a recruiter for more balloon artists. But, we would love to have you join us, or at least help track down sponsors for Balloon Manor 2010 (and a few other great balloon arts events).
Graham Rouse
November 25, 2009