Jason Hackenwerth

Jason Michael Hackenwerth--b. 1970, St. Louis, MO--lives and works in NYC.

EDUCATION
2003 MFA Savannah College of Art and Design. Savannah, GA.
1993 BFA Webster University. St. Louis, MO.


Using balloons to make sculptures has magical results, and built in challenges. The works, as closely related to exotic flowers as they are to deep-sea creatures or microorganisms, are instantly recognizable as an exuberant celebration of life. They offer joy, hope and inspiration and require no deep understanding of contemporary art to enjoy.


AT CONNECTICUT PEABODY MUSEUM:

This becomes literal when a person gets inside a “wearable” sculpture called a Megamite to engage audiences or perform choreographed steps. These interactions are meant to personalize the experience between the viewer and the art. Breaking down barriers between contemporary art and modern life.


AT BLOOMINGDALES, NYC:

The challenge of balloons is their temporality. This work is experiential. It’s offered as a bright smile of hope if only ever briefly. Some works last just weeks or months. This fleeting fact increases its rarity and the urgency to see it while it exists

AT COCHAELLA FESTIVAL:

HOT DETAIL:

Kinda sexy - very carnivale - They don't seem to be wearing many clothes under there, play-acting some worm-like sea-creature species - these are called Cnidaria by the way. Second video reminds me of a mating dance. This makes for good sci-fi and manga day dreaming. Also reminds me of Jeff Koons' giant balloon dog.

MAYBE YOU'D LIKE TO PURCHASE ONE OF HIS LIMITED EDITION PRINTS OR JUST DONATE $ TO A HARD WORKING ARTIST. They look like this:

Below are some embedded videos. There are MORE VIDEOS AT MR. HACKENWERTH'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL