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Volume 19, Issue #3 | September 24, 2014 
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ROUND-UP OF BURNING MAN WRITINGS:
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GET ME OFF THIS CRAZY RIDE!
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As you're cleaning off your dusty playa gear (ok, that's a big assumption that you're actually cleaning your stuff, but let's go with it for now), the Playa Restoration team is hard at work in what was very recently Black Rock City, returning the Black Rock Desert back to its pristine state, in preparation for our annual BLM inspection.
And by howdy do they work hard. Wanna see? Follow along as The Hun chronicles their efforts in the MOOP Map blog. It's easily the most interesting thing you'll read about people picking stuff up off the ground. All hail Playa Resto, because they make it so we can do it again next year!
To further ease (maybe?) your re-entry into the real world, we've packed this JRS with plenty of photo galleries, videos and stuff so you can wrap yourself in that playafied (seriously, get it washed) faux fur throw, put some pretty pictures on your screen, and wallow in some fine fine memories. Cuz sometimes that's what it takes.
And as we head into the year-round operations of Burning Man, including our ongoing efforts to spread this wonderful culture worldwide, we could use your help. Consider making a donation to the Burning Man Project.
The Man burns in 347 days!
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Make a Donation to the Burning Man Project
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Do you want to make the Burning Man experience available to more people, more of the time, in more places?
We do! And we need your help ...
While Burning Man relies on ticket sales to fund the annual event in the desert, your generous financial donations will help us facilitate and extend the culture that issues from the Burning Man event into the larger world.
In 1997 we took our first steps in this effort with the establishment of the Regional Network, made up of representatives who bring Burning Man culture and values to their local communities. Since then, we’ve built a Global Network that nurtures 240 volunteer representatives in 125 regions across 31 countries, producing more than 65 official annual Burning Man events and hundreds of community projects, gatherings and unofficial events globally.
Burning Man provides experiences to people in grand, awe-inspiring and joyful ways that lift the human spirit, address social problems and inspire a sense of community and creative cultural engagement. Whether it's in Black Rock City or through our civic engagement initiatives, grants to artists, large-scale collaborative art projects or regional events, we’re proud of our accomplishments in reaching millions of people worldwide, and we look forward to having an even larger and longer lasting impact.
We have the know-how and potential to build a more creative and connected world. But we need your support to make it happen. Please make a donation to Burning Man Project today.
Burning Man Project is a 501(c)(3) organization; all donations to Burning Man Project are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.
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Turnkey Camps at Burning Man — an Ongoing Conversation
Turnkey camps in Black Rock City are the talk of the community lately, and understandably so. Theme camps that provide all-inclusive camping services for (sometimes large) fees mean that many people visit Black Rock City who wouldn’t otherwise experience Burning Man, but they also raise questions about Radical Self-Reliance, Communal Effort and Decommodification that challenge our core values.
While this is going to be an ongoing conversation, we wanted to let you know that we share your concerns. Right now we're taking in your feedback, looking at the situation carefully, and talking to the parties involved. We’re trying to create an accurate picture of what’s happening – we are gathering facts to understand the scope and nature of the problems associated with Turnkey camps. This is a continuation of a process that started with a roundtable discussion with Turnkey camp organizers
two years ago, and included the creation of Turnkey Camping Guidelines.
Right now our various teams are deep in their debrief processes for the 2014 event - what worked, what didn't, and what changes should be made for next year. Turnkey camps are currently being discussed at all levels of the organization and we are reviewing the options available for making positive changes.
And, we’d appreciate your formal input. If you have had a first hand experience with a Turnkey camp – either as a producer, a staff member, a participant or as a community member, please let us know about your experience through our feedback form.
We know that if we all work together as a community, we can find a way to stay true to Radical Inclusion without undermining the rest of the Ten Principles. This community has faced similar challenges throughout its history, and this probably won't be the last one. Indeed, our society would not be a real community if such challenges did not occur.
We'll figure out the way forward together.
Stay tuned for more on this topic in the near future!
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Holster Your Lasers — They Are Not Toys
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At this year's Man Burn, one of our Black Rock Rangers sustained a critical eye injury caused by a laser. The Ranger lost vision in one eye and it has not yet returned (at this point doctors say that it may or may not). It goes without saying: this is extremely not okay.
Our past communications about laser safety has focused on large lasers used for installation art pieces and on art cars. We're talking about all lasers now. Small hand-held lasers are cheaper and more powerful than ever before, which means they are more prevalent and cause more of a risk to public safety in Black Rock City.
Lasers at burns have always been annoying. Now they've hurt someone. Realize this: when Rangers set up a burn perimeter, they're facing outward, so the lasers you're zapping the art with are aimed at their faces — as well as the faces of participants across the circle from you. Hand-held lasers you can buy on the Internet can blind people. They are not toys.
We’ve begun a discussion internally about what this means for the laser policy for the 2015 event and beyond. In light of this terrible accident, we're reviewing our policies and procedures and will explore all of the options in terms of changes that may be made for next year's event (because public safety).
Use your common sense. Don't point lasers at people.
Thanks for listening.
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David Best and Artichoke Building a Temple in Northern Ireland
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David Best, creator of the beautiful Temple of Grace at Burning Man this year, will be traveling to Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland for his next project.
In Derry, a city historically split by religious and political divisions, there is a long-standing tradition of burning and building extreme bonfires. UK-based charity, Artichoke Trust wants to bring David and his crew to build a temple with the local community that will turn the notion of bonfires and burning in Northern Ireland on their head. The temple will serve as a source of healing, uniting people as they come together for the epic build. Four people from Derry came to Burning Man this year and studied with David as he worked on the Temple of Grace.
The Burning Man Project is thrilled to support this collaboration with its first official grant from the new Burning Man Arts program. We've also awarded a grant to support longtime Burner and documentary filmmaker Laurent Le Gall, who is working on a full-length film about David Best’s life and work. He will shoot the project in Northern Ireland for the film, which is expected to be released sometime in 2015.
Artichoke is running a Kickstarter campaign to raise £30,000 for the project and they’re reaching out to the Burner community for their help. Please show your support!
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2014 Burning Man Marketplace Now Open (and Working)
Whoops. While one side of our brain was sending you the link to buy Burning Man posters and stuff, the other side was taking the site down for repairs. So let's try this again.
Like this poster? Want other Burning Swag? Buy it on our Marketplace. It works now.
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Bringing Space Science Education to Burning Man — and Beyond
The Observatory was one of the hottest destinations on the playa this year, and it's featured in this story about a wonderful science education program for kids at Burning Man:
"Amidst the high-tech art and hard partying at Burning Man, several dozen builders, designers, scientists, and off-duty NASA engineers bring a whimsical kind of space science education to the playa — and into the real world."
Read more on FastCompany.
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MOOP MAP 2014: The Map You’ve Never Seen
The Hun has begun her annual MOOP Map series on the Burning Blog, where she documents our efforts to Leave No Trace in Black Rock City.
This year, for the first time, the Playa Restoration team is sharing the map of abandoned MOOP objects. There were some shocking findings. In the effort to fix whatever's broken and make our whole city's efforts better, The Hun and the Resto team are bringing the issue to the Burning Public's attention.
"[T]he camp abandoned a 4-foot-high “mountain” of trash; a broken shade structure; a rolled-up tent; a dirty mattress; burn barrels full of ash; lumber; big oil and greywater stains; jugs of mystery fluids; and an array of smaller items.
It may be the worst impact we’ve ever seen a camp leave on the playa."
Read more on the Burning Blog.
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The Insurgent Artist Fails to Escape Capitalism
The Jackrabbits are feeling the realness of this post. It puts Burning Man squarely in its neo-post-everything-ist context. Adam Rothstein writes:
"This is what it means to be an artist in capitalism. You might make any art you want about any number of things, talk and write critique all day, organize against it all night. But you are still forced to live in the midst of it. You can either let this destroy you, or you can keep moving."
Read more in The State.
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Who By Fire?
Burning Man managing editor Jon Mitchell, who does not often write about himself in the third person, reflected on his experiment in religious life on the playa this year. The post was a bit long and personal for the Burning Blog, but spiritual Burners of all stripes might enjoy it.
"The Temple of Grace burned in a manner befitting its name. It burned evenly and brightly, and then its central dome fell with a quiet, twirling, clockwise bow.
We all sighed together. The Temple Burn crowd had been as reverent and quiet as one could hope for at this late point in Burning Man’s history, and we were rewarded with this graceful release. When the structure fell, I came rushing back into myself. I felt the twist of that falling structure inside of my heart, and I began to cry. I shook and sobbed aboard the Crystal Ship, and my campmates held me."
Read more on Everything is ablaze!
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Burning Man is so Very Wrong
Mark Morford nails it ... again:
"Because there's a terrific irony about denouncing Burning Man with anything resembling declarative authority: the more you mock it, the dumber you look. And the better the Godsex gets."
Read more on SFGate.
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Getting Classical in the Playa: Burning Man Diversifies Its Musical Offerings
One of your Jackrabbits was present at the first PlayaPops performance, and it sure was sparkly:
"A neuroscience researcher from DC, out here, Yttri goes by Doctor Fire Tuba – on account of the flame-throwing sousaphone he plays. He’s also the conductor of the first ever string orchestra at Burning Man.
'It’s not only a fun release for musicians who don’t get to play much, but it also showcases that Burning Man is more than a party,' he says. 'This has a real soul and solace to it.'”
Read more and/or listen to the story on KQED.
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Decompressing in the Sun
BMHQ's Allison "Sunny" Dewald had this to say to the office staff mailing list, and dang if it ain't worth sharing:
"Hello bunnies.
Hope the dust has rolled easily off of you by now. You are feeling at home
in your house, your bed. Hope the fog has lifted, and promises hold strong.
It's probably time for a haircut, but that can wait.
It's probably time for laundry, but that can wait too.
For now, self care is where it's at.
Yoga is sexy.
Sleep is sexy.
Staying in is sexy.
You are doing it right.
It's all perfectly unfolding as it should."
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Will Burning Man Be Co-Opted By the Rich or Co-Opt Them?
We think this post could use a little less of the 21st-century journalism syndrome of turning complex culture questions into dire, black-and-white battles, but there are some good scenes in here for sure. Major Sexy Pants writes:
"'We’re interested in meeting people that have influence in the world because we want to influence the world,' [Burning Man founder Larry Harvey] said. 'We’re not afraid of being co-opted by the mainstream. We want to co-opt it.'"
Read more in the Sacramento Bee.
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155 Light Painting Portraits from "Drapes Everywhere"
Rolling Stone may have called their recent Burning Man photo gallery "trippy", but this is really one of the trippiest Burning Man photo galleries we've ever seen. Gadget writes:
"This year I managed to take 155 Portraits of all the Burners I could find around our camp at 7:30 and A 'Drapes Everywhere!' I gave little blinky keychains to every person I shot with a short link on a tag that led directly to the album, hoping to reunite any Burners that lost their blinkies with this post!! :-)
All photos are free in full resolution for all SUBJECTS of the photos! Email me to get your copies."
Check out the gallery on Facebook.
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Durty Santa's Photo Grab Bag from 2014
Durty Santa writes:
"Back in 2002 when I first traveled to Burning Man, I was a Southern Baptist preacher. The experience cracked open my mind and heart. In an instant the universe became a much bigger place. Since then I have become a music/festival photojournalist and Special Education teacher. The turn in my life has made me a better, happier being!
For 13 years Burning Man's lively art and culture have changed my life and nourished my soul. My photography is one gift I have to offer ro this amazing community with gratitude. Here is the link to my images from this year."
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Playa Portraits by Patrick Roddie
Had enough art? OK fine. How about some beautiful human faces? Patrick writes:
"Burning Man really is a special place; the dust, warm desert sun and goodwill of 70,000 open-hearted people combine to make something truly magical. Many will have difficulty with the word 'magic,' but ridiculous levels of serendipity are experienced by almost everyone on the playa, challenging the most cynical of atheists. If I’ve captured even a fraction of it, my job is done.
At my 17th consecutive Burn I once again concentrated on photographing people. For those more interested in the art & fire, plenty of other photographers cover that and a good place to start is the official Burning Man gallery.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of my subjects for sharing moments of their lives with me."
See the gallery on Patrick's website.
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Caravansary Through the Eyes of an Average Burner
Aw, heck. Everybody sent us such great memories of this year's Burn, so let's throw one more in just 'cause. Sleeping Dragon writes:
"This is a short video (first in a small series) of our experience this year at Burning Man! It was my 5th year, and my life partner's second. This was the BEST year either one of us has had! Mainly because of all the friends we had out on the playa. Thanks to everyone for being as wickedly awesome as you are, and for everyone coming together as a true community!"
Check out their video on YouTube.
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Participate in the Black Rock City Census!
Be counted! Please take a moment to participate in the Black Rock City Census, so we can better know the demographics of our ever-growing, ever-evolving community. We use this (anonymous) information to better serve YOU, and to help the media, government officials and others know who Burners really are. It'll take about 20-30 minutes to fill out the survey.
Fill out the Black Rock City Census.
Big ups to our Census volunteers, who worked super hard and killed it on playa this year to make the Census possible!
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"A Burning Dream" Finally Available On Vimeo On Demand
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If you like indie films with Burnerly messages, here's one you can support. DustyCam writes:
"After so many years of huge efforts we finally managed to end the production of the documentary A Burning Dream. This is a 100% self produced movie, now all we need is to reach the people around the world.
This is not just a documentary about the Burning Man. It's a personal journey of a man looking for answers. When Massimiliano loses his best friend, he starts wondering about the sense of living life in a rushed and unsatisfied society.
He starts a journey, taking him from Rome to London, San Francisco and eventually to Black Rock City, an experience that shifts his perspective of life, forever. It's a movie which doesn't want to explain but just to get straight into the nuances of the beauty of the Burning Man letting you live it a direct experience through Massimiliano's eyes.
It's a documentary about encounters, friendship, loss, music, travelling, art and most of all about learning. To make this possible some of the best professionals of the music and cinema industry worked really hard with no budget, for years.
Help us taking this project from an idea to reality. Watch the movie and spread the word."
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San Francisco Decompression — San Francisco, CA — Oct 12
Burning Man Project presents ...
The 15th Annual San Francisco DECOMPRESSION Heat the Street FaIRE!
Sunday, October 12th, 2014
Starts at Noon! Outdoor sound ends at 10pm, except Mariposa which ends at 11pm. Indiana Street between Mariposa and 22nd Street in San Francisco.
Public Entrance: 19th Street & Minnesota
$15 donation before 4:00pm; $20 after; free schwag while it lasts. All ages (under 12 free).
You know it's gonna be amazing ... full details and line-ups here.
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FIGMENT Oakland — Oakland, CA — Nov 8
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The kids over at FIGMENT Oakland (who are continuing the fine FIGMENT tradition of manifesting free participatory community arts events) write:
"When: Thursday, September 18th 6:45-8:45pm
Where: Mosswood Park, Oakland, CA
*Look for us in the Mosswood Park Amphitheater*
Have you ever thought to yourself, 'The Bay Area needs a free, all ages, community-oriented art event that features the full spectrum of hands-on interactive arts?' Have you followed that up with, 'And I have just the project I would bring.' If so, FIGMENT Oakland is for you.
FIGMENT seeks to catalyze and celebrate an abundance of creativity and passion; challenging artists to find new ways to create, share, think, and experiment within their local communities. Founded in New York City in 2007, FIGMENT has grown significantly each year—in number of projects, event duration, participants, volunteers, exhibitions, geographic locations, and overall level of commitment and public support.
The first ever FIGMENT Oakland will take place on November 8, 2014 in Oakland's Mosswood Park. Encompassing four acres of green space, a recreational center, sport courts, and amphitheater. We have the ability to utilize the entire space for installation art, workshops, music, games, and performances.
Have an art piece to submit? Submit project ideas online.
Interested in volunteer opportunities with FIGMENT Oakland? Volunteer here."
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Artumnal Gathering: A Benefit for Burning Man Arts — Nov 22
Please join the Black Rock Arts Foundation, Burning Man Project and Black Rock City’s Art Department in celebrating this benchmark year of supporting our community’s artists and instigators, both at Burning Man and around the world!
Tickets for the always-popular Artumnal Gathering are on sale now!
As you’ve probably heard, the Black Rock Arts Foundation has joined forces with Burning Man’s Art Department to create Burning Man Arts, a new program of Burning Man Project. This year’s Artumnal Gathering raises funds for future Burning Man Arts projects.
Come raise a glass with us in a toast to our future as Burning Man Arts!
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We were listening to ...
OONTS OONTS OONTS OONTS
OONTS OONTS OONTS OONTS
OONTS OONTS OONTS OONTS
OONTS OONTS OONTS OONTS
Also, Tube & Berger.
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If this email is not as beautiful as it should be, view it in your browser.
Burning Man • PO Box 884688 SF, CA 94188
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