PILLOWLANDO
PILLOWLANDO Orlando’s Official Unofficial World Pillow Fight Day Event
Conceived by Brian Feldman
Lake Eola Park, March 22, 2008</strong>
Orlando FL
Brian Feldman is rapidly becoming Orlando’s Christo, but without the without the wrapping fetish. Between jumping off a ladder at City Hall and riding EPCOT’s Spaceship Earth for a whole day, Brian took time to organize a massive pillow fight in downtown Orlando’s famed Eola Park. Between the gray drizzle, the Ryan – Pagliotta wedding, and the usual homeless residents, about 50 free sprits and nearly as many photographers gathered to hit each other with pillows. The pillows ranged from cast-off yard sale items to uncomfortable decorative couch decor to a giant Easter bunny filled with low carbon footprint foam. As a bonus, we overheard the wedding accompaniment group called “Strings and Things,” which added an elegance the event might not have sought on its own.
Like so many wars, this one went on far longer than I expected. After 30 minutes, a few dedicated warriors continued to slug it out as lines from “Gladiator” and “Lord of the Rings” and “Henry the 5th” were shouted. Such notables as Terry Olson (Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs Director) and Genevieve Bernard (Assistant Producer of the Fringe Festival) slugged it out along with Mr Feldman in his white Kung Fu nighty. As the battle progressed, a security guard dropped by to ask about the use of bicycles in the park, but seem unconcerned with the melee in progress. The homeless withdrew, too intimidated to panhandle. The Ryan – Pagliotta wedding progresses uneasily, afraid the fight might spread, and the skies might open. The String Trio set down their instruments and seemed more intrigued by the hippies giggling maniacally than the bride and groom droning through their vows. The people they invited along to impress ignored us as best they could.
As the battle wrapped up, the rain fell harder, brought down by the noise and powder residue of the fighting. Some people took their dogs and left. A few sought pictures from the photographers. Some headed off to a bar to lick their wounds. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan and their friends went off to overpriced hors ‘douvres, Freixenet, and a Really Good Wedding Band. Life in the park returned to normal as the swans and winos reclaimed their territory. Art was served… And I got 400 words and made a short film.
For more information on Brian Feldman Projects, please visit
http://www.brianfeldman.com/ To see video of PILLOWLANDO, please visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFPCOl-dEag</em>
