The generally light and affable balloons that rule the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade are about to have a darker presense floating among them this year, thanks to Tim Burton.
Burton, the gothic genius behind Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands and The Nightmare Before Christmas will be bringing his darkly endearing designs to the famous parade with his "B. Boy" balloon.
No, this will not be a break-dancing balloon (although, that we be pretty cool). Burton's creation will be a Frankenstein-esque character, which will be made from discarded children's party balloons from Great Ormond Street Hospital in London.
Burton's contribution may seem appropriately somber on the surface, but according to Burton's origin story, is actually inspiring. Burton describes B. Boy as a child shunned by his peers because of his startling appearance who locks himself up in his basement watching Albert Lamorisse's The Red Balloon and dreaming of flying, a dream will be realized this Thanksgiving.
On his enthusiasm for floating objects, Burton says, “There’s always been something about balloons. You see them deflated and you see them floating. There’s something quite beautiful and tragic and sad and buoyant and happy, all at the same time.”
Keep your eye on the sky for Burton's bittersweet creation this November 24th.
