Every year, legions of people from around the nation flock to NYC for a little Thanksgiving time with friends & family. During this busy holiday weekend, one of the traditions is the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade. The day before the parade, tens of thousands visit the staging area to observe the balloon inflation ceremony next to the American Museum of Natural History.

This year, AM surfed the crowds to catch the inflation of the Companion balloon (here & here) created by KAWS. This 40 foot feat of art & engineering was even more impressive when seen in person. Definitely causing a buzz with both art fans and the casual tourists alike, it seemed to attract attention and cameras non stop. Ever the shy character, the Companion stayed true to his nature and kept his eyes covered the entire time (even as his creator took photos…).

Discuss KAWS here.