Weird balloon woman (who won't respond to you) - Southbank

[Otta]

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.

[Saffron]

Wow that is weird and sad. Will be on the lookout for that if we hit Southbank over the holidays.

[Saffron]

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.

[Otta]

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.

[alice]

you stepped outside your ed bubble - not everything is for sale.

[Otta]

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.

[hellosailor]

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..

[Otta]

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 ".

[bonsai]

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 to

be connected to the Hayward Gallery. Lacking context, and in the middle of the street, I agree this serves no purpose whatsoever.

[eva_ben]

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."

[Otta]

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.

[Otta]

Thanks for doing the detective work by the way. I did try yesterday but came up empty handed.

[Saffron]

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*

[Saffron]

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...

[Otta]

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.

[alice]

i guess i can hand back the insult you gave me.

[Scruffy Mummy]

If you scroll down to the bottom of the page on the MirrorCity Website, you can leave a comment.

[Otta]

Only if you sign up.

[Otta]

alice Wrote:

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> i guess i can hand back the insult you gave me.

Nope,you were being an arse for no good reason.

[minder]

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).

[Otta]

If that's so I apologise.

[Otta]

But I don't think it was so.

[alice]

alice Wrote:

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> 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.

[Otta]

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.

[TE44]

sounds like a great interaction, especially this time of year wen kid are bombarded with

things 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.