10
ARTS & CULTURE
alloon artist opens pop up shop
STORY BY LAURA SOUTHERS
STAFF WRITER
“Pop-Up Immersive Art Installation” is what the front window
says as you approach 825 SW 5th Ave. in Portland. This is a very,
succinct definition for a space filled with balloon installations
encouraging the visitor to immerse themselves into the balloon
world created by Kamerori Messmer, founder of the Joy Store.
Upon entering, there is a multicolored balloon installation with
a big screen television in the background. The TV reads “part art
exhibit, part playland, part selfie museum, part interactive, part
experientialinstallation for all ages, especially adults.” “Where
every hour is happy hour” and “you walk in the store and literally
can’t stop smiling.”
About 50 yards to your right is “The Balloon Typhoon,’* which
houses three “Super Fan Max” machines and hundreds of
balloons which bounce off the floor, walls and ceiling. As you
watch the passersby, you witness their giggles.
Messmer grew up in Billings, Montana, in his father’s magic
store.
“My dad was just the store-owner, but I was pretty much the
only employee there, so he’s like, ‘You gotta learn everything that
comes in,”’ said Messmer. “Every book, every trick, everything
that came in, I got to pull apart and play with to demonstrate to
sell.”
Messmer moved from Billings because, “Montana is just so
small and spread apart. It is no place for an entertainer to make
a living.”
He moved to Portland, planning on working parties as the
“Daredevil Circus Wizard.” Then the pandemic hit, and no one
was having parties. Businesses'were departing from downtown
Portland.
Messmer has a month-by-month lease on 10 offices, planning
on filling them with other artists. When he has additional help,
he will be able to set regular business hours.
Presently as the only worker, he can only commit to weekends.
We interviewed him on a Friday and his doors were not open to
the public. Suddenly he ran over to the door saying, “Oh! These
guys always come in.” He turned the lock, opened the door,
and ushered in three developmentally disabled guys and their
caregiver.
Although Messmer.’s business cards say “Daredevil Circus
Wizard,” his website is kameronmessmer.com.
Kameron Messmer plays in the balloons at the Joy Store in Portland. Photo by Ayla Fashana.
The Clackam as P r in t---- ---------- =------------ th e c la c k a m a s p r in t.c o m
- Ju n e 2022