Quick Facts
Biography
Jihan Zencirli (born July 6, 1985) is a Turkish-American visual artist, designer, and Public Speaker living in Los Angeles. Zencirli is most notable for her large balloon art installations in addition to being the creator, and owner of the company, Geronimo Balloons. Her median focuses on installation, sculpture and performance art.
Career
In 2010, Zencirli started experimenting with a package of large balloons she had left over from a work project at her job for a children's educational company. After decorating one of the balloons to take to a friends birthday party she began to get requests from friends and strangers to recreate the gift.
In 2011, Zencirli moved from her hometown of Seattle, Washington to Los Angeles, California to embark on an art endeavour which led to her creating Geronimo Balloons. Since 2011, Zencirli and her designs have been featured in commercial ad campaigns including T-Mobile and Tampax.
In 2016, Zencirli was commissioned by The Broad museum in downtown Los Angeles for their on year anniversary. The temporary installation consisting of thousands of balloons could be seen on the front of the building in celebration.
Also in 2016 Zencirli was featured in Oprah Magazine, In Style and on Gwyneth Paltrow's Lifestyle blog Goop.com where Paltrow listed Geronimo Ballons on her "Party Planning Guide."That same year she appeared in a 2017 Cadillac campaign called, "Dare Greatly", along with furniture designer Stephen Kenn. This is the first time Cadillac has created an all digital campaign solely devoted to this concept.
In 2017, Zencirli received the Edge award at the L.A. Design Festival.
Collaborations
- Zencirli has collaborated with other artists and designers, including furniture empire West Elm and furniture designer Stephen Kenn.
- Zencirli has installed her balloon designs in public spaces around the world, including India and Europe.
- Zencirli also founded a group she calls the "Nefarious Frillers", who covertly sets up public balloon installations all around Los Angeles.
Exhibition and installation
- "Notes to Self"- Conception Installation - The Standard Hotel, Los Angeles, CA
- 1 Year Anniversary of The Broad Museum- Public Balloon Installation - The Broad, Downtown Los Angeles, September 2016
- Oh Happy Day 10th Anniversary - Temporary 5,000 Balloon Art Installation - Oh Happy Day offices, Los Angeles, November 2016
- NYC Pride celebration - 15,000 rainbow-colored balloons Art Installation, New York.