{"id":5397,"date":"2025-07-01T08:23:52","date_gmt":"2025-07-01T08:23:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/20years.enterthemothership.com\/portfolio\/de-ballen-van-de-tour-de-france\/"},"modified":"2025-11-19T15:20:26","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T15:20:26","slug":"de-ballen-van-de-tour-de-france","status":"publish","type":"portfolio","link":"https:\/\/spectrum.enterthemothership.com\/en\/portfolio\/de-ballen-van-de-tour-de-france\/","title":{"rendered":"De Ballen van de Tour de France"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row unlock_row_content=”yes” row_height_percent=”0″ overlay_alpha=”50″ gutter_size=”3″ column_width_percent=”100″ shift_y=”0″ z_index=”0″ inverted_device_order=”yes” content_parallax=”0″ uncode_shortcode_id=”343319″][vc_column width=”3\/4″][vc_gallery el_id=”gallery-108155″ medias=”5401,5398,5402,5400″ gutter_size=”3″ media_items=”media|lightbox|original,icon,caption” screen_lg=”1000″ screen_md=”600″ screen_sm=”480″ images_size=”four-three” single_overlay_opacity=”1″ single_h_align=”right” single_v_position=”bottom” single_padding=”1″ single_title_dimension=”h3″ uncode_shortcode_id=”109839″][\/vc_column][vc_column column_width_percent=”100″ gutter_size=”1″ override_padding=”yes” column_padding=”1″ overlay_alpha=”50″ shift_x=”0″ shift_y=”0″ shift_y_down=”0″ z_index=”0″ medium_width=”0″ mobile_width=”0″ width=”1\/4″ uncode_shortcode_id=”162733″ el_class=”info”][vc_custom_heading auto_text=”yes” heading_semantic=”h1″ text_size=”h1″ uncode_shortcode_id=”233386″]This is a custom heading element…[\/vc_custom_heading][vc_raw_html]W3BvcnRmb2xpb19pbmZvXQ==[\/vc_raw_html][vc_empty_space empty_h=”2″][vc_column_text uncode_shortcode_id=”474466″]For the Grand D\u00e9part of the 2010 Tour de France in Rotterdam, art producer Mothership conceived a spectacular opening concept: four giant beach balls in the colors of the iconic cycling jerseys \u2014 yellow, green, white, and polka dot. These would not only serve as the symbolic starting signal, but also remain visible throughout the Tour as striking visual icons. Instead of a traditional starting gun, the balls were to be released simultaneously from the rooftops of Rotterdam\u2019s buildings.<\/p>\n

After their release, the balls are guided through the crowd and along a designated route to the Rijnhaven, where they symbolically continue their \u201cjourney\u201d toward Paris. Along the way, smaller versions reappear along the route as colorful reminders of Rotterdam as the host city. Together, they enhance the city\u2019s international visibility \u2014 a playful, sustainable, and media-friendly artwork capturing the energy of the event.<\/p>\n

The balls were technically developed in two variants: a robust PVC version, partially filled with helium for controlled movement during the drop, and lighter nylon versions equipped with fans for continuous inflation. Safety, weather conditions, and locations \u2014 including the Luxor Theatre and the courthouse \u2014 were all carefully considered in the design. Through their size, color, and motion, the balls gave Rotterdam a recurring visual presence throughout the Tour \u2014 a creative gesture full of energy, symbolism, and public engagement.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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