The Sky Whale by Patricia Piccinini

Completely caught off our guard by the most wonderful floating art work. Expecting something more ordinary though nothing could have prepared us for such a colossal creature to glide its way right into our souls. In rare beauty the Sky Whale makes his debut through the skies of Victoria, Australia. In extreme portions his presence graces us with peace, thought, creativity. And in the dawn of his first flight, artist Patricia Piccinini embraces her children exchanging smiles and building playful memories in his balloon suit.  The idea to turn her imagination into a hot air balloon ride crosses the border of too good to be true.  The gentle eyes on his face, the sagging lobes at his sides ease any fear.  Colored in purples and browns and underside in orange tipped with red, his complexion is so lovely like a painting in itself.  The basket below carries lucky ones on an adventure above tree tops; photographers and videographers capture the natural strength in the landscape with its patterns of fields, trees, and streams.  No digital manipulation necessary, the balloon and the backdrop are a match made in heaven, perfectly working together.