2013 Art Installations

Past, Present, and Future: the nature of time expressed in threes: triangles, three human forms from a distant place, a place within, the collective, another world. The three undergo Catharsis: the exultant figure seems born from resolve which was birthed from the trials and tribulations of suffering the human condition. Represented are: joy, pain, resolve; success, failure, trying again; enchantment, disenchantment, finding truth; life, death, rebirth. The inspiration and spark for this project has been the Austin Region itself, who have been the hearth and flame, the tree branch from which this project has grown. First intended to be an Effigy for Burning Flipside 2012, this work was reconceived as a temple. Unable to burn at Flipside, the Temple of Times has now come full circle. Again an effigy, no less a temple, the Austin Region’s gift to those at home on the Playa. Growth always…
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/templeoftimes

Enlightenment is the first CORE project by the Asian diaspora. 16 feet tall and hollow, Enlightenment is a silhouette of cross-legged burning man. As participants approach, they will discover that the seated man is
actually permeable, made up of dozens of stacked profiles with a gap between each layer. Participants will be able to meditate and reflect in the inner alcove which echoes the volume of the larger figure.
????????????????????
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ChinaTaiwanBurningManCoreProject

The Czech Oasis is a part of the CORE at Burning Man 2013.
It is the biggest beer on Playa, the Czech beer tradition embodied in huge beer mug. The well known mug – chubby glass with handle, with golden body and white fluffy foam hat. Mirage. When you see mirages on the Playa and the heat is making your mind see the things you want to see, suddenly there is a giant beer mug standing in front of you and you stream for it – and you are saved in the middle of the desert.
Projekt The Czech Oasis vznikl spoluprací Burning Man Czech s architektonickým studiem ARCHWERK, které navrhlo scénickou stavbu a také s ?leny AMANITAS Fire Theatre. ?eský CORE projekt bude prezentovat ob?í pivní p?litr: fošny skládané do tvaru ob?ího p?timetrového žejdlíku, který je symbolem specifického ?eského “Cargo Cultu” piva, s bohatou pivní p?nou tvo?enou bílými balóny. Je to první ?eský projekt, který bude na Burning Manu uskute?n?n.

DC CORE presents DC culture without using any of the numerous monuments generally associated with the Nation’s Capital. The two primary themes are money (federal and corporate powerhouse) and music (local DC musical heritage) representing two sides of the DC Cultural spectrum. The design is based on the Eye of the Pyramid (Great Seal) and generally reflects the occult geometric concepts used to design the District of Columbia. The pyramid structure is ancient and remains a mystery; it exists on the singular most significant demonic symbol of our time (money), which is virtually non-existent in BRC and antithetical to the Cargo Cult mythos. On the inside, the theme showcases the “local DC” in the form of music that was created over time by artists associated with DC: John Phillip Sousa, Chuck Brown, Mark Robinson, Duke Ellington, Roberta Flack, Dave Grohl, Thievery Corporation, etc.
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/DCRegionalCOREProject

The CORE 2013 “First Home” design is inspired by contemplating life in the East Bay region and the history embedded in the landscape. Grass huts were the earliest human buildings. They could be rolled up and taken with the family group as they moved from place to place. They often approximated a Fibonacci sequence, a spiral found abundantly in nature, from the pattern of seeds in a sunflower to the cloud formation of a hurricane. First Home is a structure built into that spiral, which climbs higher and higher, to a column that points skyward, creating a guidepost for our own navigation and suggesting that others might find it (and us). It is a dance, marking our passage and invoking connections to the hoped for, the unseen. And, as is our very nature, it is temporary – here for a week, then gone in a moment of heat and smoke.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/EBBCORE/

The French CORE project for 2013 is called Stairway to Heaven. This structure is our first attempt to bring a bit of French flair to the playa as part of the Circle of Regional Effigies. It is a road to the unknown, a vertical adventure that has no purpose other than to enjoy the journey itself. It is an intentional, exploratory experience, where each step brings the participant new vistas and new encounters.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/FrenchCORE.Burningman

« un escalier vers le ciel » est une route vers l’inconnu, une aventure verticale sans autre but que l’expérience elle-même. L’espoir intentionnel, exploratif d’une rencontre, d’une présence : voici notre vision de la culture du cargo. La spirale est un chemin pivotant, ascendant vers un lieu dont il est impossible de dire ce qu’il est et où il se situe avant d’y parvenir. Comme dans la vie parfois, le participant suit une spirale, se rapprochant chaque fois plus du milieu, du thème, du cœur. Il n’existe pas de chemin droit, direct pour y parvenir. Vous apprenez en chemin ce dont vous avez besoin, le sens vient de l’expérience elle-même. Le cheminement lui-même est la récompense

“You can kill us—burn us. We will never die.”
John Frum returns to earth in the distant future. The last vestige of life he finds is the ever-multiplying, inexplicably indestructible cockroach. This pregnant beast is overgrown and overly protective of the greatest in human technology–she fosters a supercomputer. Together they embody the memories of our culture, showcasing what we as humans could have done to better prepare for the future. We will see just how close we came to being a type one civilization.
Perhaps you’ve encountered a cockroach and run screaming or smashed it with your shoe…well everything is bigger in Texas and if you’ve encounted one in Houston, you have probably not yet gotten over the hair-raising icky intense other-ness of the damn things. Our cockroach is of Houston, and she will endure in the desert to await and bear witness to John Frum.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HoustonCore

Marvin The Vortexagon is Idaho’s newest project for its 2nd year as part of CORE. A sculpture representing chaos and geometry, reminiscent of a cascading waterfall, the swirling patterns of rivers, caverns, and tall columnar spires, Marvin pulls in a number of aspects we hold dear to our state. Is it a portal to some far off place? A remnant from some long-lost high tech civilization discovered in Craters of the Moon National Monument? As a swirling mass of energy, a vortex sweeps up everything in its path. In this way, the project has swept up the imagination of our community, and has gathered us together to bring forth something amazing. As it burns, it will provide gifts that are “fired” by the flames of the structure. These are clay pendants by the hundreds, each hand-crafted and unique.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/IdahoCORE

INchanted Forest is Indiana’s inaugural C.O.R.E. project for Burning Man 2013. The INchanted Forest is an interactive ‘forest’ to share a little of the beauty and wonder of Indiana’s woodlands with the participants of Black Rock City. In the desert, devoid of plant life and woefully low on shade, the INchanted Forest will be an oasis of shadows and play.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/IndianaCoreProject

The Hamsa (an ancient symbol in the Middle east which is identified with Islamic, Jewish and Christian origins ) is a universal sign of a shield.
This hand is asking to discover the magic that we are doing, we are presenting the communal effort that is needed to build a strong community.
With our hands we support each other, helping each other to build and ignite the fire for the Burns.
From a distance the participant will see a 20′ hand, many people will recognize the “Hamsa” symbol already.
As soon as you approach the effigy you will be standing to the base of a stepped platform with a gate-like structure, in the center of the hand there will be a dancing pole, inviting the participants to take part in the piece of art and creating something for themselves in the form of inspiring photo they could take home.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MidburnCORE

We believe that Lituanica birds symbolism unites all different groups-flocks of burners (especially the CORE groups) who are scattered around the world and who are making their way each year to the desert, empowered with their communal and collaborative effort.

We hope that the idea of merging the known historical and cultural symbols and burning down Lituanica birds will have a multiple meaning for our Region. Ranging from the common symbol of “burners flock“ to symbolic gesture of honor via performance by burning down Lituanica birds and presenting a self-expressed perspective to the World.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LituanicaCORE

„Lituanicos paukš?iai“ yra Lietuvos CORE projektas 2013 met? festivalyje „Degantis žmogus“. Tai šeši? metr? aukš?io ir šeši? metr? plo?io skulpt?rin? instaliacija, vaizduojanti kylant? oranžini? paukš?i?-l?ktuv?li? spie?i?. Skulpt?ros menin? id?ja yra siejama su legendiniu lietuvi? kilm?s pilot? Dariaus ir Gir?no skrydžiu per Atlant?. Darius ir Gir?nas – du lietuvi? pilotai, skrid? mažu l?ktuv?liu „Lituanica“ iš JAV (NYC) ? Lietuv? 1933 m. J? skrydis laikomas vienu žymiausi? Lietuvos ir pasaulio aviacijos istorijoje.
Oranžinius „Lituanicos paukš?ius“ galima laikyti daugiaprasmiu objektu, kuris simbolizuoja ne tik Lituanic? ir istorin? ryš? su JAV bei ten gyvenan?iais lietuviais, ta?iau ir t? grupel? lietuvi?, keliaujan?i? per Atlant? deginti skulpt?ros viduryje dykumos, taip pat – visas kitas tarptautinio festivalio „Burning man“ dalyvi? grupeles, kasmet suskrend

It is an abstract flame/water drop/seed symbol of the connection to energy of the volcanoes and sunlight the community Source Maui experiences daily to grow. It resonates with the melting pot within which we live on Hawaii. The 20 x 10 ft wide effigy is a lovely image that harkens to the metaphors of fire, water, earth, and air. These are all key elements of life on the island of Maui.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SOURCE-MAUI-CORE/350248908427234

The Minnesota CORE project evokes a classic flying saucer design, rendered in primitive materials from our region, hoping to communicate that through community, knowledge and shared culture we can overcome the future perils facing the human population. Whether this comes about from some alien Deus ex Machina, new advances in technology, or a simple cultural coming-to-grips with common sense remains to be seen.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/minny.core

The DutchMill is a collaborative art installation by a group of Burners from the Netherlands. It is the first CORE project to be done to represent the Netherlands and is shaped in the form of traditional Dutch Windmill. The project showcases past, and present art from the Netherlands and provides a place of respite from the sun and cold.

Het Nederlandse Molen art Project is een interactief kunstwerk dat de Nederlanders, hun cultuur en kunst zal vertegenwoordigen tijdens het Burning Man festival als onderdeel van de Cirkel of Regionale kunstwerken (CORE). Het kunstwerk zal 1 van de meest Hollandse symbolen weergeven zijnde een windmolen. De wieken van de molen kunnen worden aangestuurd door een fiets constructie binnen in de molen. Door te fietsen, zullen de wieken gaan ronddraaien. De 8 hoekige buitenkant van de molen zal worden bedekt met geschilderde doeken, die land-water en lucht moeten uitbeelden als 1 geheel. De interactie met de fiets, de beschilderde panelen aan de buitenkant in combinatie met het Nederlandse symbool als molen, vertegenwoodigd het geheel van Neederlandse cultuur die samensmelt met datgene de Playa ons biedt.,

Altar of the Wetlands is a metaphorical representation of the technological ways we are attempting re?engineer the Mississippi River. After altering – and subsequently destroying – our natural environment, our post?industrial society is now seeking to re?obtain the “cargo” of nature through the magic of science and engineering. Twelve fish representing our disappearing wetlands will be suspended on poles attached to the roof of the altar. Visitors to the installation can enter the interior of the structure and/or climb the stairs to the top where they will be able to interact with each of the fish.
The Altar will incorporate positive (daytime) elements representing the NOLA’s own Cargo Cult and negative (nighttime) elements representing our technology cult fix to the disappearing wetlands.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NOLACORE11

As participants approach the piece during the daytime, they will see a 20’ raw wood star shaped structure, with arches resembling that of the iconic Chrysler building in New York. Around the structure 5 musical wheel installations are placed and participants are invited to spin the wheels to create music. At night LED lights transform the piece with each arch lighting a different color and the whole installation plays synchronized patterns created by members of the community in New York. In addition to the patterns created before the event, sound sensors in the wheels will generate new patterns depending on the sounds being played.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/StaroftheCity

The Cargo Gods thus spake and demanded another fiery desert sacrifice from Portland for the 2013 Circle of Regional Effigies. Ludum Et Refugium is a treehouse that invites play and interactivity. The main approach ramp, steps, ladders, multiple platform levels, and climbable hollow “tree” will invite participants to explore this faux arborial atmosphere. Daytime visitors will find escape from direct desert sun beneath the elevated platforms or while relaxing in shaded hammocks. Evening guests will huddle inside the enclosed spaces and enjoy elevated views of the Esplanade, the Man, and the night sky.
Facebook. page: https://www.facebook.com/PDXCORE2013

The theme for the Reno CORE 2013 project is The Good, The Bad, and The Naughty. What captures Reno more in the popular imagination than a wedding chapel, courthouse, and brothel? Reno was the home of quickie marriages and divorces, and legalized brothels in the United States.
The first third of the Reno effigy is a Wedding Chapel. Participants will have real and “playa weddings” performed at period-looking chapel.
The second third of the effigy is the courthouse. A “judge” will preside over playa divorces, and perhaps other disputes as they come before the court.
The final third of the effigy will be a tacky, 1950’s-era brothel reception area. Brothels remain an icon of people’s perception of Nevada.

We plan to reach out to local artists to create “people” (mostly made of metal) to sit in the courthouse benches, the chapel pews, and the brothel chairs.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RenoCoreProject2013

The Playa Queen is an artistic interpretation of an 1850’s riverboat traveling on the Sacramento River between Sacramento and San Francisco, during the California Gold Rush era.
Passengers boarding this side-wheeled riverboat steamer will find shade in her saloon, complete with bar, and period décor. On the top deck, the pilothouse provides an interactive Captain’s wheel and controls to sound her whistle. At night, the Playa Queen comes alive with lights delineating her silhouette, chasing lights on the paddle wheels, and flame effects from the twin smoke stacks.

A blend of a 1940’s science fiction rocket and an erect fish with gem-like stained glass porthole eyes forms San Diego’s Starfish. On the verge of accelerating into space, Starfish leaves a fiery circular tail that encompasses a 20′ diameter. Upon closer inspection, one will find a doorway with a choice either into the interior of the fish or into the circle of fire, which doubles as wind-protected seating. The lean, pearlescent rocket rises to 20′ and adjoins a bamboo scaffold gantry that acts both as a playground for ample burners to explore, as well as the exit from the interior jungle gym. The gantry also boasts two stripper poles to taunt and invite, while maintaining the aesthetics of Cargo Cult in its use of bamboo with a hand-lashed appearance.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SolDiego.SDCORE

Silicon Valley lies at the crossroads of history and high-tech. The Spanish Mission system introduced European, technologically advanced culture to Californian tribes. Colonization and evangelic zeal brought unimagined production and transformed the lives of the indigenous people. The missions introduced methods of agriculture including orchards and vineyards, livestock, blacksmithing, bakeries and kilns, bringing commerce to a world that was still pre-Iron Age. This CORE piece is a structure that invokes a Mission, with an architecture that appears both transparent and solid. Within the structure, a mysterious crate serves as an altar, with incomprehensible lights and colors emanating from within. Behind the altar, a large wooden plaque reminiscent of a Smart Phone displays icons of each religion: Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Zen, etc. The structure contains plywood benches (resembling pews) with wooden tablets (made to look like Smart Tablets) replacing the hymnals. An interactive and climbable bell tower chimes the hours.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SouthBayCORE

The Delicate Arch is one of the most recognizable icons of the Utah landscape. An uncanny span of rock rising from a bare massif, it looks as if it were created for a purpose, not eroded into shape by mere chance.
The PsycheDelicate Arch is a tribute to this rocky muse. Unique in both form and function, this archway begs the question–is it a simple result of erosion, or perhaps a portal to other worlds?
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/UtahCore

Artifactuary is inspired by Vancouver’s skyline, the shape of the structure is that of city buildings against a mountain backdrop and a high angled crane. The material of the structure is primarily reclaimed pallet wood, cut and interlocked in a special manner, which also allows the structure to be 100% climbable. Inside, at the center of the piece, resides a large chamber where one can climb down inside to discover a glowing ‘artifact’ suspended above them.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Artifactuary

Flor de Muerto is an installation representing Victoria featuring 3 flowers: The dogwood flower representing the province of BC, the Opium Flower, as Victoria was the 2nd largest producer of Opium in the 1800’s, and the Camas flower which was eaten by many first nations people.
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Victoria-CORE-2013-Fleurs-pour-les-morts/115368128653153