Months before it hits the skies in time for the 2006 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, artist Chad Person’s project is gathering static. One pilot quit after getting pressure by his employers, who “didn’t like the idea.” Just this week, Person found another.
He’s also looking for money to pay for the 105,000-cubic-foot gadget that calls to mind “The Gadget,” code name for the first atomic bomb tested at White Sands.
“It’s meant to be campy in a way,” said Person, 27. “I like to splash in some humor. If you can’t see humor in the world around you, we’d all go crazy.”
Person’s goal is to highlight two dissimilar but important aspects of New Mexico history: nuclear weapons and hot-air ballooning.
“It’s sort of like a dirty secret,” Person said of the state’s relationship with the deadly weapons. “We don’t embrace it.”
More details about the project at Person’s website. If it flies over Albuquerque, I think Washington, DC should be next.
Some funny balloon rockets for your vehicle.
Awesome… I also like the red, white and blue in the pic.
Many countries possess nuclear weapons these days, but the good ole USA is the only country to have ever used them against an enemy.
I guess they won’t be welcome in Japan.
This sort of thing could cause an international flap.
Little toy atomic bomb balloons would be a big seller.
Great fun for the kids at the Spring BBQ.
Made in China no doubt! We can’t make toy balloons in the USA.
Maybe we can. We have the model now.
hmmm… interesting idea. It might bomb, but let’s see if it flies.
Better than an atomic bomb that looks like a balloon.
Is there something wrong with atomic bombs?
Only if your under one when it goes off Me.
Some of the profs in the UNM physics Dept. calculated that if there ever was an “Oops!” — with the number of atomic warheads stored under the Manzano Mountains next to Albuquerque — we’d end up with a crater about 250 miles in diameter.
Eideard: Did they say what the colateral damage would be? We cant stop either, pandoras box has been opened. What a dumb thing we humans created. As for the balloon, as a lover of satire i find it humorus. The very object of death floating gentaly through the summer skys.
Really, it would take care of the northern hemisphere with fallout. I don’t know anyone estimating fewer than a third of all US-stored warheads being under the Manzanos. Most guesses are higher.
I was once told that close counts in horse shoes, hand grenades, and nuclear warfare. Love the balloon. Great imagination.
I’ve been through the hot air balloon museum in Mitchell SD. There’ve been a lot of really interesting designs.
These guys should do a companion design that looks like a mushroom cloud.