I was born in a world of opera, theatre, films, poetry, art, and therefore, out of the wire, I made a stage. That's why they call me a high wire artist. Philippe Petit artartistbear Change image and share on social
I rendezvous with the long wire and perform the 'torero walk', gliding my feet, holding the pole away from my body, head high. Philippe Petit bodyfootglide Change image and share on social
Talking about theater, actually, I built a little barn in upstate New York, and I call it 'the smallest theater in the world,' but it has a mini stage and a red velvet curtain. Philippe Petit barnbuildcall Change image and share on social
I am fascinated by the engineering. The science of constructing and understanding why it stands. And I am drawn by the madness, the beauty, the theatricality, the poetry and soul of the wire. And you cannot be a wire-walker without mingling those two ways of seeing life. Philippe Petit beautyconstructdraw share on social
My parents were intelligent and encouraging, but at the same time, they were displeased at me becoming a wandering troubadour and wire walker. Philippe Petit displeaseencourageintelligent Change image and share on social
You see, it's actually very good that a human activity is performed very close to death, because that's where life is. Life is, at its most valuable and most full, very close to the boundary of life. Philippe Petit activityboundaryclose Change image and share on social
What I think tailors the creativity of most people are the rules that we learn from the age we are very small - in school, our parents. Philippe Petit agecreativitylearn Change image and share on social
If you see how carefully I prepare for any kind of walk, legal or illegal, small or big, you will see that, actually, I narrow the unknown to virtually nothing. And that's when I am ready to walk on the wire. Philippe Petit bigcarefullyillegal share on social
My first walk illegally at 20 years old was between the towers of Notre Dame. Philippe Petit dameillegallynotre Change image and share on social
I love to remember the World Trade Centre walk, but it should not define me. Philippe Petit centredefinelove Change image and share on social
