Sunday, September 13, 2015
Friday, September 11, 2015
Burning Man 2015
Through observation, we concluded that naked men marching the Playa
are always alone. But this was not why or how our tribe of eight committed to taking
the plunge into the sands of the Nevada dessert. Last year, throwing doubts
(some spouses) and caution to the wind, ‘Angie and the Argonauts’
hunkered down to the serious preparations required for Burning Man 2015, an
endeavor demanding among other things, radical self-reliance.
Art is a huge part of the BM experience. Massive constructions
costing hundreds of thousands of dollars and man-hours pepper the Playa along
with smaller creative works of art. Massive moving sculptures take the form of Art-cars driven around while dozens of dusty passengers dance to techno music
blasting from giant speakers. Others vehicles with pyrotechnics shoot 30foot
flames into the sky. Costumes include the most elaborate Hollywoodesk get ups
to absolutely no clothes at all (did I mention stark naked strutting men?).
There is an atmosphere of radical self-expression.
With so much art all around us, it was hard to see what value or tribe could add. We choose to create and share 500 multi-purpose bandannas with our Argonaut logo, which we gave to strangers and friends who were then invited to recite the Argonaut Oath. Additionally, over the course of the week, I managed to coral over a dozen individuals to pose for quick marker on paper sketches. Gifting (not bartering) is yet another one of the ten Burning Man principles.
Arriving at BM as a 'virgin burner' newbies are encouraged to roll
around in the fine Playa dust before banging a bell and screaming 'I am not a
virgin', followed by a hug from usually an unusually large hairy dusty gate
attendant. Getting the powdery dust embedded into your being and belongings is
an important ritual of the initiation as sand storms and subsequent whiteouts
are a common shared experience. Equally challenging is navigating the public
porta potties, which receive daily offerings from the natives. But the
hardships of living on the Playa are part of the glue, which bind Burners
together. Radical inclusion.
Burning Man started 30 years ago on a beach in San Francisco with
a few dozen friends. Through numerous mutations, it now attracts 70K
individuals to an ancient dried lake-bed three hours from Reno. From a lifeless
flat sand pancake, this swatch of desert grows into a massive city of makeshift
huts, tents, RVs, artworks and mutant vehicles spitting fire for one week
before being dismantled and carried away, returning the desert to nothingness.
No trace left behind.
With so much art all around us, it was hard to see what value or tribe could add. We choose to create and share 500 multi-purpose bandannas with our Argonaut logo, which we gave to strangers and friends who were then invited to recite the Argonaut Oath. Additionally, over the course of the week, I managed to coral over a dozen individuals to pose for quick marker on paper sketches. Gifting (not bartering) is yet another one of the ten Burning Man principles.
With so much stimulation on offer our tribe needed to choose
wisely. But just soaking up the atmosphere of freedom and creativity changes
you. We find it easier to live and let live when a Burner almost bikes into you.
The bottom line is that BM is a venue and opportunity for radical self-discovery
and the realization that whatever we experience and do on or off the Playa, we
take responsibility for it.
One opportunity for awakening happened while waiting in a long
line for a free massage. Unintentionally, a young woman jumps queue before me.
Instead of feeling love and light, I’m feeling cheated but say nothing.
After an hour of waiting, I see and judge her again. Another hour passes and
the same girl approaches and kneels before me. She ever so quietly and kindly
thanks me for allowing her a place in line. Handing me a list of topics, she
offers to read me a poem. I choose a poem on LOVE. From memory, she recites a
moving poem about rediscovering love for oneself. As her words massage my
heart, I find myself accepting and welcoming back that person I'd forgotten and
neglected for so long, little Gregory. Greeting this poet and myself with
acceptance, we embrace and I experience a wave of love washing over us. She is
then called away for her massage.
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
28th Sea Game Torch Up!
art installation
Bell of Inspiration
Mission Accomplished!
Check out the making of the bell of inspiration video either on our FB or
YouTube:http://youtu.be/ ClxDuojKztY
For more news and information about what took place during the Extraordinary Run prior to the opening of the Southeast Asian Games (SEA GAMES) click links below . Thanks to Sport Singapore for the great recap!
https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=Pv6rPccWn-A&feature=youtu.be
https://www.facebook.com/ thelivingproject/timeline?ref= page_internal
https://youtu.be/-ZHh0V0bzFo
art installation
Bell of Inspiration
Mission Accomplished!
Check out the making of the bell of inspiration video either on our FB or
YouTube:http://youtu.be/
For more news and information about what took place during the Extraordinary Run prior to the opening of the Southeast Asian Games (SEA GAMES) click links below . Thanks to Sport Singapore for the great recap!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
https://www.facebook.com/
https://youtu.be/-ZHh0V0bzFo