Otta Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 Wondering whether anyone has had similar experience.We went to Southbank today, wife took older daughter to an event in the festival hall. I was left with our 3 year old daughter. Just outside there was a woman (prob early 20s, long brown curly hair, I suspect European but not sure) with a big bunch of balloons, usual set up. Daughter wanted the Hello Kitty balloon, so I approached."Hi, how much are the balloons?"Totally ignored my presence."Er, hello? How much for the balloons please?"Same response.Walked away and got some money out. Came back about 20 minutes later tenner in hand."Hi, I'd like to buy a Hello Kitty balloon"Same thing.*waved hand in front of her eyes* "Hellooooooo?" (I was getting vexed at this stage(No reaction whatsoever."This is a really shitty thing to do to kids" *started walking away*3 Year old asks "Daddy why that lady not talking to us?""I don't know darling, because she's a very silly and mean woman"."Daddy I want the Hello Kitty balloon""I know darling, I'm sorry"I swear to God I could have killed the cow. I don't know if it was "art" or a hidden camera thing, but I think playing with kids like that is shit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saffron Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 Wow that is weird and sad. Will be on the lookout for that if we hit Southbank over the holidays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saffron Posted November 15, 2014 Share Posted November 15, 2014 I'm temped to say try sticking a tampon up her nose and light the string on fire, but you probably don't have one in your bag. How about just sneezing copiously on her, complaining of feeling feverish after a recent trip to west Africa, then collapsing nearby? Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otta Posted November 15, 2014 Author Share Posted November 15, 2014 Haha, if I'd had my fags in my pocket I'd have lit one and blown smoke right in her face.Then burst some balloons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alice Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 you stepped outside your ed bubble - not everything is for sale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otta Posted November 16, 2014 Author Share Posted November 16, 2014 Er, I don't live in ED.Maybe you're right though, maybe she just likes carrying around 40 odd balloons and staring past people for shits and giggles.Or maybe you're just being a knob because you can't help it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hellosailor Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 WTF! Was she dressed in a costume or normal clothes? Did she make eye contact? Maybe some sort of hidden camera rubbish?how amusing, to upset a child.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otta Posted November 16, 2014 Author Share Posted November 16, 2014 Totally normal clothes. Tried to make eye contact but she wasn't having it.All just very weird, and it's stayed in my daughter's mind because when we were talking about yesterday earlier, she said "that lady wouldn't talk to me and daddy ". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bonsai Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 If you google'Balloon seller performance' an old advert from September pops up on Ideastap, a forum for artists, looking for just such a thing. It's an expired ad so you can't read all the info, but it appears tobe connected to the Hayward Gallery. Lacking context, and in the middle of the street, I agree this serves no purpose whatsoever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eva_ben Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 http://seedcreativenetwork.co.uk/articles/2014/10/mirrorcity_hayward_gallery"Also, outside of the gallery are stunt people blending in with the everyday ? a woman holding balloons and two men selling handbags. Not responding to human interaction or making eye contact, the performers leave a disturbing feeling to the observer, like something isn?t quite right.Overall Mirrorcity is an exhibition full of questions, uncertainties and sheer delight. What is more, Mirrorcity at Hayward Gallery exposes us to the cross over of spaces and only leaves us with more questions as to what is reality and what is not ? which in todays world seems harder and harder to grasp." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otta Posted November 16, 2014 Author Share Posted November 16, 2014 Okaaaay, well it sounds like that's solved it, and it did leave me feeling unsettled, so I guess she played her part well.But, I think choosing balloons and drawing attention of little kids is still pretty shitty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otta Posted November 16, 2014 Author Share Posted November 16, 2014 Thanks for doing the detective work by the way. I did try yesterday but came up empty handed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saffron Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 Well if it is performance art, and I see her, I will definitely be attempting some performance art of my own. *checks bag for tampons and hazmat suit* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saffron Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 Tbh, as a piece of art I agree it's rubbish as it seems to both patronise and degrade a vulnerable population, i.e. children, who aren't able to grasp its meaning. As an anodyne, let's film our children giving away balloons to other children at Southbank. Like 'free hugs' but with kids/balloons?! PM me if you're up for a laugh... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otta Posted November 16, 2014 Author Share Posted November 16, 2014 A friend suggested a go there with a large sign reading "this "art" made my 3 year old cry" and just follow her around with it all day.I genuinely liked the idea, but I think today was the last day.Either that or it's nothing to do with Mirrorcity and she's just a complete headcase. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alice Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 i guess i can hand back the insult you gave me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scruffy Mummy Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 If you scroll down to the bottom of the page on the MirrorCity Website, you can leave a comment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otta Posted November 16, 2014 Author Share Posted November 16, 2014 Only if you sign up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otta Posted November 16, 2014 Author Share Posted November 16, 2014 alice Wrote:-------------------------------------------------------> i guess i can hand back the insult you gave me.Nope,you were being an arse for no good reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minder Posted November 16, 2014 Share Posted November 16, 2014 Otta, think Alice was just trying to apologise. You've already called her a 'knob' for her opinion. (Correct me if I'm wrong Alice). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otta Posted November 17, 2014 Author Share Posted November 17, 2014 If that's so I apologise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otta Posted November 17, 2014 Author Share Posted November 17, 2014 But I don't think it was so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alice Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 alice Wrote:-------------------------------------------------------> you stepped outside your ed bubble - not> everything is for sale.for my innocuous remark above i am called a knob and an arse - a little harsh I would say. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otta Posted November 17, 2014 Author Share Posted November 17, 2014 What did you mean by "ed bubble"?Explain your comment and if I've got you all wrong I'll apologise unreservedly. But based on your posting history I don't think I've misunderstood your meaning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TE44 Posted November 17, 2014 Share Posted November 17, 2014 sounds like a great interaction, especially this time of year wen kid are bombarded withthings that they want. Its not an alien concept explaining why they cant get what they want, the difference here is money and words have been taken away. your left with how you or your child feel over a balloon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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