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Volume 20, Issue #2 | October 2, 2015 
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ROUND-UP OF BURNING MAN WRITINGS:
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GET ME OFF THIS CRAZY RIDE!
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You're still dusty, huh? Yeah, us too. That was one hella dusty year, gotta say. God knows whenever we turn the damn air on in our car, we still get a face full of playa. And our cooler, probably like yours, is still sitting out on the back deck, fully encrusted and forlorn.
Don't worry, we all do it. We coined the term "procrastipacking" with good reason, seems we need one for the unpacking (or lack thereof) process. Procrastunpacking? Slackunpacking? That has a ring to it. Let's go with slackunpacking ... feel free to use it in daily conversation.
Right, so it's DECOMPRESSION TIME! Check out the upcoming events below. Sweet.
In other news, we'd like to introduce you to our new blogger, the first ever Burning Man Project Fellow, Misa Rygrova. To say she's a force of nature is a severe understatement. She hails from the Czech Republic and she'll be sharing Burning Man goings-on across the pond. And, believe us, there's a-plenty. Here's her first post about the Latvian Burn, Degošie Jani (DeJa). It's really sweet, you'll enjoy it.
Oh, and in case you didn't hear, Burning Man 2015 never happened. Sorry. :-(
The Man burns in 337 days.
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Burning Man Never Happened
Despite an outpouring of social media posts, photo galleries, think-pieces and media coverage, Burning Man organizers today steadfastly denied that Burning Man 2015 happened.
"Hearsay and rumor run rampant on the internet, as usual. Burning Man never happened," said Burning Man spokesperson Jim Graham. "Show me the evidence."
Indeed, a recent flyover of the Black Rock Desert showed no trace of what would have been Black Rock City. All that could be seen was a long line of hard-scrabble desert dwellers meditatively walking in lockstep, occasionally — and mysteriously — supplicating themselves on the playa floor.
Those wishing to dispute organizers' claims are encouraged to submit their alleged stories, photographic "evidence", supposed video footage and material culture for consideration as authorities investigate these spurious allegations.
Perhaps it was all a dream after all — who's to know, unless you show us your stuff!
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3 Important Ways to Procrastinate from Unpacking
Now that Carnival of Mirrors is over and Burning Man 2016 season is underway, it's time to do your post-event housekeeping.
Here are three things you should do right now, while your twelfth load of laundry is in the dryer and your cooler is drying out in the yard:
Also, you should probably think about starting to consider washing your car.
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Play the Help Return Lost Stuff Game!
Terry and the relentlessly hard-working Lost and Found gang write:
"We've posted pictures of many of the backpacks and phones, as well as pictures from the memory cards of many of the cameras, on this Flickr page.
If you recognize your items or photos, please file a submission form. Include the item or album number ("15 #### #") and a FULL description of the item, i.e. contents of a bag and a camera's make, model, and color. For cameras please also describe some unique photos which we have NOT uploaded.
Remember, cameras or phones might be lurking in some backpacks. Just because you don't see your photos on flickr doesn't necessarily mean we don't have your camera or phone. Even backpacks can get hidden in a pile of other stuff. Don't despair, send us a description of your lost item via this submission form."
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Burning Man's Black Campers
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Steven W Thrasher writes:
"After three treks to Burning Man, the famously hedonistic festival in Nevada’s Black Rock Desert, I must admit it: I am a black Burner.
My black friends and family think I’m crazy for going to Burning Man. According to its own 2014 census, Burning Man is 87% white and 1.3% black. But while Burning Man founder Larry Harvey recently told me that the reason so few of us are here is because ‘black folks don’t like to camp as much as white folks’, the 20-odd black burners (plus one Chicano and one Latina) I interviewed during this year’s Carnival of Mirrors-themed festival had a more nuanced take. Some agreed with Harvey, but many had very different ideas about what keeps black folk from Black Rock City.
We black Burners hailed from several countries and included virgins and veterans. Below are excerpts from our conversations, as we chatted about white hippies, the great outdoors, the problems of black hair and skin in the unforgiving desert and everything in between."
Read more in The Guardian
There's an important conversation about this article happening on Facebook, too.
(Photo of Mark Adolph, a.k.a. Leut, by Alexander Heilner)
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This Ain’t Quite a Patriarchy
Summer Burkes writes:
"When a majority of the population doesn’t feel powerless in some way, systems can thrive. There’s a larger rant about patriarchy, monotheism, capitalism, and two-party-system-government’s controlled effect of subjugation here, and/or the steady pressure of negative realism meant to demoralize the masses into feeling too powerless to take any action for change … but we’ll spare you it.
However, the point can be corseted into this: Imbalanced power relationships keep capitalism humming at the expense of the user, while collaboration breeds respect, community, and anarchy (the good kind)."
Read more on Voices of Burning Man
(Photo by J.H. Fearless)
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The Burning Man Temple Project, LLC
Daniel Terdiman writes:
“On a project where no one was being paid for their work, the true ‘currency’ [Temple of Promise build lead Nathan Altman] had to offer was ‘giving people ownership, [and] finding the right people for the task.’”
Read more in Fast Company
(Photo by Leori Gill)
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The Monaco / Land Frigate of Burning Man
Gavin Gallagher writes:
"This film is based on the significance of Art Cars and Mutant Vehicles at Burning Man, told from the prespective of Greg Barron and Al Sorkin of the Mocaco Ship.
The film then goes on to give a wider perspective of Burning Man as a community and the impact this gathering has on participants. I shot, edited and funded the film myself. I hope you enjoy!"
Watch the film on Vimeo
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A Priest on Retreat at Burning Man
Brian Baker writes:
"I am an Episcopal Priest. I preached about Burning Man after I returned, the morning after the burning of the Man. The sermon was posted online and has been viewed over 18,000 times. I get about 10 emails a day from Burners expressing gratitude for my description of Burning Man. Some of them are quite moving. Someone suggested I submit it to you. I am a first time Burner and I don't know if this is appropriate, but here it is."
Answer: you bet your bippy it is.
Watch the video on Vimeo
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7mi Scale Model of the Solar System Built in the Black Rock Desert
We thought you'd appreciate this fantastic use of the playa we love, because science. Ramsey writes:
"A few Burners along with some friends traveled to the Black Rock Desert and built a scale model of the solar system, complete with orbits, over a 7 mile diameter. The video reminds us of how gigantic our solar system, galaxy, and universe are, and just how small we are."
Watch the video on YouTube
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Was This Your First Time? Tell Us About It!
Mia writes:
"You did it — you're no longer a Burning Man virgin. What was the experience like for you? Tell us about it using this form, so we can share your stories in a blog post!
Please be as honest and descriptive as possible: What did you think? What did you learn? How did it change your life (if it did)?
Note: Your responses might be published on Voices of Burning Man, so make them super sparkly."
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MOOP Troop: Clean Across America
Way to get out there and put the Principles into action! Dallas writes:
"What's the matter, Matter? Feeling Out Of Place? The MOOP Troop has the cure. We will march down the street to rescue you, putting you in your proper place.
MOOP Troop is a 10 Principles project based on Leave No Trace. We organize scheduled and spontaneous 'trash mob' get-togethers. Bring your own decorated MOOP stick, your gloves, and a MOOP bucket and meet us on the streets of a town near you! We will walk a block and show that matter where it goes.
To find out more about MOOP Troop LNT actions in your area, text @mooptroop to 23559 (free except your own text service charges). Announcements thru this free service will let you know what city has an action and how to join.
For more info, email mooptroop@gmail.com"
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Thank You for Attending the Burning Man People's Fashion Show
Absinthia Vermut writes:
"Thank you for all the freaks and weirdos and clowns who attended the Burning Man People's Fashion Show, keeping it the longest running event on the playa (besides the Man burning, of course!).
Extra special thanks to our MCs Dr Hal and Justin Credible, Absinthia for her assistance, DJ Darkat, and our special judges Evil Pippi and Ouchy the Clown!
If you have photos or video of the Fashion Show, please post them to our instagram account bm_fashion_show or our Facebook Page, facebook.com/BMFashionShow and tag them #BMFashionShow2015
See you next year on the playa! )'("
(Photo by John Curley)
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Thank You for Supporting Art in Black Rock City!
Here's a big thank you to everybody who supported Burning Man projects this year ... whether it was a financial contribution, a donation, or volunteering your time and talents, the fruits of your generosity sure did show on playa! We saw more art projects in Black Rock City than ever before (over 400 installations!), including more fire art than ever (over 100 pieces!), and 650 incredible mutant vehicles.
While it does seem during the thick of the fundraising season that we're getting inundated by requests for support, the end result is that more people have the opportunity to contribute to these projects, making them truly community-generated creations. So thank you!
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The Artumnal Gathering — November 21 — San Francisco, CA
Where: The Bently Reserve, 400 Sansome St., SF
When: November 21, 9:45 pm (Main Event)
Tickets are selling out at record speed! First and second tier ($40 and $50 tickets, respectively) are sold out. $60 Main event tickets are now on sale. Buy tickets today.
Don’t miss this celebration of our community’s artists and makers! Enjoy an evening of sumptuous fare, fanciful attire, spirited entertainers and performing artists, exuberant music, and an enticing auction and art gallery, while supporting Burning Man Arts worldwide public art projects and programs! See you there!
Can’t make the event? We’re sorry to miss you! You can still support the event by sponsoring someone else to attend by buying a “Sponsor an Artist” ticket, or make a donation to Burning Man Arts. Thank you!
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Utah Decompression — October 10 — Ogden, UT
Where: Fort Buenaventura in Ogden
When: Oct 10 at 2 pm to Oct 11 at Noon
Gilli writes:
"Right about the time the playa dust has settled and you’re yearning to gather together again with your Burner community, it’s time to decompress! Each fall, we work to recreate the fun, excitement, energy and emotion of being on playa. Break out your dusty Burning Man coat and join us for art, great beats and lots of dancing!
Reconnect with those you met on the playa (either BRC or Stargazer), get inspired from all the creativity within the Burner community here in Utah, and meet fellow Utah Burners (especially for those of you who have never attended a Regional Event).
Families and kids are welcome!"
Learn more on the Element 11 website
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Reno's Inaugural Gateway Project Gala — October 16 — Reno, NV
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Where: Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts
When: October 16, 6 pm
Larry De Vincenzi writes:
"Join us Friday, October 16 for an evening of eclectic entertainment and tantalizing cuisine at our inaugural gala celebration of playa arts!
Proceeds raised will go to add Gary Gunderson’s large-scale Pentamonium sculpture to Reno’s temporary art collection for public exhibition after it returns from its journey to the Black Rock, as well as to fund other playa-inspired artistic endeavors that visitors and locals may enjoy for years to come.
Evening festivities begin at 6 pm and will include a gourmet, seated dinner, auction of nine artistic creations using bicycle parts, and live entertainment by Controlled Burn, silk aerialists, stilt walkers, fortune tellers, magicians and more. DJ-driven rhythms in multiple venues will keep the evening pulsating until 2 am with an after party in the Pioneer Center for Performing Arts.
More information at renogatewayproject.com
TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT PioneerCenter.com
Phone Sales: 866-553-6605 – Pioneer Box Office: Mon - Fri 11 am to 6 pm"
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Burning Man Pas De Deux: Stewart Harvey and Marti — Portland, OR
Where: Pioneer Place Mall, 3rd floor, Portland, OR
When: Opening: September 19, 5-9 pm
Second Reception: October 17, 5-9 pm
Show runs from September 19 to November 15
Marti writes:
"A unique and exciting show in the Portland Pioneer Place Mall by two veteran Burning Man photographers: Stewart Harvey and Marti.
The show features historical work with the first images ever taken on the playa and a bevy of surreal landscapes by both photographers who have a special and complimentary take on Burning Man. Stewart Harvey is an unoffical Burning Man historian with 25 years of work, and Marti will show a decade of her work.
Everyone is welcome!
MARK WOOLEY GALLERY
700 SW 5th Ave, 3rd floor
Pioneer Place, Portland
mawoolley@comcast.net
www.markwoolley.com
www.martiphoto.com"
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BURN2: Carnival of Mirrors — Oct 17-25 — Second Life
Where: Second Life, The Internet
When: October 17-25
Mrs. Mia Wallace writes:
"With great glee and inspired excitement, we announce the upcoming BURN2 virtual event themed Carnival of Mirrors. The event will take place in the virtual world of Second Life October 17 - 25, 2015, culminating in the Burning of the Man on the October 24 and the Temple Burn October 25.
This year’s theme is about mirrors and masks, mazes and merger. It will be a kind of magic show that takes the form of an old fashioned carnival. This Carnival of Mirrors asks three essential questions: within our media saturated world, where products and people, consumption and communion morph into an endlessly diverting spectacle, who is the trickster, who is being tricked, and how might we discover who we really are?
Please visit our website to learn how to come home to your virtual playa."
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Oakland FIGMENT: Call for Artists! — October 24 — Oakland, CA
Where: Mosswood Park, Oakland
When: October 24
We went to this last year, and it was fantastic. Great family-friendly day in the park with interactive art up the wazoo! Rick Abruzzo writes:
"Oakland FIGMENT is a free, all-ages, participatory art festival at Mosswood Park. Last year we brought 80 artists, 100 art pieces, 70 volunteers and 1000 people from the community together, and we are looking to do it again.
We want more artists and performance! We need volunteers! We are completely supported by the community so please consider donating! Find out more at oakland.figmentproject.org and our Facebook page."
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