Philippe Petit
Philippe Petit
Full Name and Common Aliases
Philippe Petit is a French high-wire walker and artist known for his daring stunts and feats of balance.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on August 13, 1949, in Nemours, France. Still active in his work as an artist and performer.
Nationality and Profession(s)
French, High-Wire Walker, Artist
Petit's career spans over five decades, during which he has become synonymous with the art of high-wire walking. His work is not limited to physical feats; he also designs and creates elaborate structures for his performances.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in a family of modest means, Petit was exposed to circus arts at an early age. He began training as a tightrope walker at 16, eventually developing the skills necessary to execute daring stunts without safety nets or harnesses. His parents encouraged his interests, recognizing the value of hard work and discipline.
Major Accomplishments
Petit's most famous stunt was walking between the Twin Towers of New York City's World Trade Center in 1971. This performance, which lasted for approximately 45 minutes, left the public and authorities stunned. Other notable feats include crossing the Grand Canyon on a high wire and walking across Notre Dame Cathedral.
Notable Works or Actions
Petit has performed at numerous locations worldwide, often incorporating art and architecture into his performances. His work is not limited to high-wire stunts; he also creates elaborate structures and sculptures for display in public spaces. Examples of such works include the "Walk on Air" installation in Paris and the "Cathedral Walk" performance at Notre Dame.
Impact and Legacy
Philippe Petit's influence extends beyond the realm of circus arts, impacting fields like architecture, art, and urban planning. His ability to think creatively about the possibilities of physical space has inspired architects and designers worldwide. The emotional resonance of his performances has also made him a celebrated figure in popular culture.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Petit's work embodies the intersection of art, risk-taking, and human potential. His unorthodox approach to traditional performance has captivated audiences for decades, ensuring that he remains widely quoted and remembered as an icon of daring and creativity.
Quotes by Philippe Petit
Philippe Petit's insights on:
Death frames the high wire. But I don't see myself as taking risks. I do all of the preparations that a non-death seeker would do.
And do not forget that the blood of rebellion flows through your veins, that around your soul meanders the river of perfection; above all stay devoted to your art – even if it is only the art of living! – above all remain loyal to it.
Would anyone but a crazed bicephalous being, half engineer, half poet, willingly shackle himself to a venture of such magnitude? I am prisoner of my dream.
Believe in the miracles that exist around you, inside others, in you. Go look for them. Feed your imagination. In this way, build your destiny.
I kept talking until the coup and its various acts and scenes dissolved into a liquid mass that infiltrated my veins – until the air I breathed was the plan itself. Until I became the plan.
If I look at the performance of another friend Sting, whenever I hear him take over a stage and share his art with millions, it’s very inspiring to me. So I have a lot in my life, a lot of friends who inspire me and I’m sure it goes the other way around, or so that I inspire them.
There is no such thing as motivation in my world. I am not motivated to do what I do. As an artist, I am driven, I am compelled, I am thrust forward by a force so rooted inside me, so convincing, that it seems futile to try to explain it. Although it has a name: passion.
I have walked many times around the world and each time it’s different from the last one. It feels a little bit like I am a theatrical director, creating a theatre in space. It’s really a theater in the sky. But of course the World Trade Center is certainly the most well-known of my productions.