Balloon Tracking on Del Playa Drive, Isla Vista, CA, February 2010
1500 biodegradable helium balloons, 9678 ft. natural fiber string, volunteers
In collaboration with Katy McCarthy ​

Balloon Tracking on Del Playa Drive was a pseudo-scientific effort to map the paths and endurance of the partygoers as they wandered about the street. By tagging each participant with a balloon and string that corresponded to the time and locale of the participant’s starting point, we were later able to amateurishly track and chart the flow and dispersal of foot traffic over the course of the night. The balloon was the chosen tracking device due to its referencing both celebration and temporality, in addition to the practicality of it being an enticing object to fasten around one’s wrist.

Legend:
White Ballons: Del Playa Drive and Camino Majorca
Blue Balloons: Del Playa Drive and Camino Lindo
Purple Balloons: Del Playa Drive and Camino Corto
Green Balloons: Del Playa Drive and Camino Del Sur
Red Balloons: Del Playa Drive and Camino Pescadero
Yellow Balloons: Del Playa Drive and El Embarcadero Road
String length:
9:00 PM-    5 ft.
9:30 PM-    6.5 ft.
10:00 PM-  8 ft.
10:30 PM-  9.5 ft.
11:00 PM-  11 ft.
11:30 PM-  12.5 ft.
12:00 AM-  14 ft.