He says of himself that he is first and foremost an artist who navigates entrepreneurial waters very well. His medium of expression is balloons, from which he "enchants" everything - from an animal sculpture to an elegant dress walking down the catwalk. Niko Fric is a real star abroad, from whom many want to learn. ...
He says of himself that he is first and foremost an artist who navigates entrepreneurial waters very well. His medium of expression is balloons, from which he "enchants" everything - from an animal sculpture to an elegant dress walking down the catwalk. Niko Fric is a real star abroad, from whom many want to learn.
I imagine that you have been immensely fascinated by balloons since you were little. Is that right??
Actually, it's not like that. The most interesting thing is that as a child I was very afraid of the balloon. It probably exploded near me when I was very young. I avoided them for quite a few years. When I started performing as a magician for children, I started loving balloons and they became indispensable in my work. They seemed to me a new unused material that offers endless possibilities for creation.
On your website, people from all over the world write almost euphorically that they want to meet you, learn from you. How is it that you are a bigger star abroad than at home?
It's true, I have a huge fan base all over the world, which is the fruit of my work for the last ten years. I was invited as a teacher to seminars organized by the world's largest balloon manufacturer, Qualatex, on all continents of the world. I have also won all the biggest titles in competitions and I am attracting attention with ever new and new ideas and balloon sculptures.
And with us, can we take part in any of your workshops?
Approximately every month in the company in Sevnica, we prepare various workshops for future and already established decorators, to whom we show new guidelines and ideas from the implementation to the sale of balloon decorations. The next workshop will be in January on the theme of Valentine's Day.
Having mentioned the new guidelines. What are the current trends in balloon art?
Balloon decoration is not just a couple of balloons inflated with helium or air and tied to a string. People want elegant decorations. We teach how to make decorations that emphasize and enrich the space. We do not exaggerate the colors and use balloons in elegant colors that are nicely printed. We use several types of balloons and not just the latex balloons that people know and encounter on a daily basis. Among them are balloons made of special aluminum foil with beautiful designs and new PVC balloons that stay the same for months.
Amazing creations come from your hands, among them are fascinating dresses made of balloons. Where did the idea for such challenges come from?
The first idea appeared at the balloon festival in Arizona in 2004, where I made the first dress for a real model. The enthusiasm of the guests was so great that there was a real explosion of demand. I was among the first in the world to start working on it.
Fourteen awards and recognitions are listed on your website. Which one has special value?
In 2003 I won the World Competition in Chicago and then the same year three first places in the European Competition in Belgium. That was my very important breakthrough on a global scale. I am also very proud of the four first places in a very demanding competition called Iron Latex man. I am the only one in the world who has more such awards. I won the last one a few days ago at the European competition in England.
How is the balloon competition?
The interesting thing about the competition is that no one knows before the start of the competition what balloons or the colors of the balloons are hidden in the sealed envelope. The competition is time-limited to 30 or 45 minutes, and in that time you have to make a sculpture out of these balloons. No one can prepare or practice anything for this competition. You have to know yourself in the moment and take advantage of the balloons that are available. In this competition, the competitor shows his knowledge, techniques and originality.
Balloons are your job and your business. Are your parties even more full of balloons in your private life, or do you prefer to give them up in your home environment?
Balloons are my job and therefore my life, so they are everywhere. My wife Renata understands this, and my work is especially appreciated by children Nikita and Luka. Of course, family and friends eagerly await new balloon creations every anniversary...
December is the time to decorate homes and to find new crazy ideas. Do you have any tips for our readers if they decide to conjure up the festive atmosphere with balloons this year?
If you ask me about ideas, I have so many that I could publish my own book. The biggest problem I have is that I don't have time for everything. Regardless, I prepared many different balloon arrangements. For this time, the spruce from the balloons is just one interesting hint...
www.nikoloon.com
www.magic.si
www.nikoballoonfashion.com
www.nikofric.com
www.magicbaloni.si
