Over the last 14 years, Addi Somehk has mastered the art of air and inflatable latex, making thousands of balloon hats for total strangers in 34 countries on five continents.
Somehk, a professional balloon guy, makes a living twisting balloons at bar mitzvahs, elementary schools and corporate parties. But this winter he undertook his biggest balloon challenge yet: teaching the magic of twisting to a bunch of teenagers in bustling, multiethnic Hollywood.
The idea? Make an army of balloon twisters to spread holiday cheer to the residents of a nursing home and anybody else the teenagers might want to make smile.
Balloon artist -- An article in Thursday's California section about balloon artist Addi Somekh misspelled his last name as Somehk.
On a gray day in early November, Somehk walked into the student government leadership class at Hollywood High School -- a long, cold room once used for shop classes -- with a slide show, a balloon apron (made by his mother) and a proposition.
"I've been a balloon guy for 14 years and it's actually how I make a living, and I have some things to show you and a cool project that some of you might want to get involved in," Somehk began. "But first I need a volunteer."
A few hands shot up. Somehk brought up Andy Ayala, 17, and got to work. He blew up a couple of balloons with strong bursts of air and measured the student's head. In a matter of seconds, Somehk made Ayala a ridiculous hat.
The room responded with applause and a chorus of "ahhhhs."
Somehk dimmed the lights to present a slide show of the self-funded balloon hat world tour he took with photographer Charlie Eckert between 1996 and 1999.
"The goal of what we did was to show that everyone is born with a sense of humor," he said. "No matter what country you're from, what language you speak, what religion you are or what politics you have, you don't have to learn to laugh. It's like a universal language."
Among the shots, Somehk showed an image of several stone-faced Eastside vatos standing before a lowrider car -- in balloon hats: "This is here in East L.A." The students laughed.
"Once you learn how to twist balloons, we then will go to a nursing home, around Christmastime, and make balloons for old folks," Somehk said. "Once you go inside, it's very -- I've got to be honest with you, it's very creepy. It's the opposite of high school."
The students listened.
"It's either going to work or it's not going to work, but it'll be interesting to see what happens. Any other questions?"
