Balloon panzer is 10m long

Posted by Cory Doctorow, March 4, 2008 5:41 AM | permalink

"German Panther" is a 2007 sculpture of a Panzer tank made out of balloons, from Hans Hemmert. It's nearly 10 metres long! And lethal. Link (via IZ Reloaded)

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Discussion

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#1 posted by strider_mt2k

, March 4, 2008 5:46 AM

WE MUST CLOSE THE BALLOON GAP!

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#2 posted by Nelson.C , March 4, 2008 6:41 AM

It's fairly low rez, any idea which panzer it's meant to be? Pzkpfw IV, maybe?

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#3 posted by cherry shiva , March 4, 2008 7:13 AM

first the domino theory, now the balloon theory.
next up : chinese checkers !

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#4 posted by mwt , March 4, 2008 8:10 AM

"Panzer tank" is redundant.

Nelson C - It says it's a Panther. I think it looks more like a Mark IV, as you suggest.

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#5 posted by Halloween Jack , March 4, 2008 8:15 AM

How about a Messerschmidt made from 99 luftballoons? That would actually be able to fly...

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#6 posted by backload

, March 4, 2008 11:27 AM

@ #5

Surely 109 balloons....

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#7 posted by StrangeInterlude , March 4, 2008 11:28 AM

How long did this sculpture stay on display? If you've ever kept an inflated latex balloon around the house for more than a few days, you've probably noticed that the air leaks out very slowly until it shrinks into a rubbery prune. Is there some sort of spray sealant that can keep a balloon airtight for large/long-term constructions like this? On the other hand, a slowly-shriveling panzer would be a sight to see...

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#8 posted by arkizzle , March 4, 2008 11:47 AM

OK, let's get pedantic!

Messerschmidt - German sculptor

Messerschmitt AG - Aeroplane guys

So, in fact, a Messerschmidt made of balloons would be a sculpture of a sculptor.

..and #6, I think your probably right, unless we can convince Nena to actually fly the balloon plane, singing all the while of course.

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#9 posted by george57l , March 4, 2008 2:16 PM

strangeinterlude - if you follow the link you will see just that, deflation in a very jerky time lapse (ok, that's a bit of an exaggeration - just some still pics as it deflated with the help of some kids)

Doesn't say how long it took to deflate, though, if my German is any good,

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#10 posted by arkizzle , March 4, 2008 2:33 PM

Seems like the deflating (and resulting children-rip-it-to-pieces melee) was almost more central to the art/statement of this piece than the precision of the tank.

Disclosure: I don't speak German either

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#11 posted by JJR1971 , March 4, 2008 10:45 PM

Das ist bestimmt mehr als neunundneunzig Luftballons!

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#12 posted by supaswag , March 6, 2008 12:43 AM

Well, ich bin Deutscher ..and this is the best piece of art I've seen since leaving the country in 2005. Lot's of Germans are more interested in things like this: http://www.supaswag.co.uk/2008/02/achtung-schweinehund-german-tank-bike.html