Jason Hackenwerth at the High Line Street Festival
by Daniel Sommer | July 16th, 2009
Saturday marked the official opening of the High Line, the 10th anniversary of Friends of the High Line, and the 75th anniversary of the building of the original structure. To celebrate, The High Line Street Festival brought together local artists, marching bands and other events for all ages. Of particular interest was Jason Hackenwerth and his Mega Might Army. Brooklyn Modern spoke to Hackenwerth at the festival to learn more about his work.
“I was given a grant by the Scope Art Fair to go to the Venice Biennale in 2005, so when I went there I wanted to take something uniquely New York. So I made big bed bugs out of balloons and I went around terrorizing and pestering every body at the Venice Biennale as a bed bug.”
Hackenwerths’s balloon sculptures fit over the wearer and allow them to become the character of the balloon animal. Outdoor events like the High Line Festival allow the wearers to explore the performative aspect of the work. All his pieces have different names and behaviors, the first being the Mega Might. At an event like this a piece might last the weekend, but in a gallery they can last significantly longer.
Hackenwerth admits that having attractive people to perform in them helps to get people interested in looking at the work, but sees that as part of the process.
Hackenwerth is based in long island city, but travels around the world creating his works.
More information on his wide range of work, including some great images can be found at www.jasonhackenwerth.com/
