Painting the Big Picture – Acculturation, Burning Man-style

TEXT BOENOBO ollowing several hundred miles of has been taught fear as a way to relate. I feel bit much for a lot of first-timers. And it’s easier debate, our friend S emerged from my it is each individual burner’s responsibility to not feel accountable for your fellow burners’ stepvan at the pearly gates of Burning Man to share and be patient with a newbie. The well-being. ‘Someone else’ll help them out.’” and bravely took a Greeter-delivered paddling experiences on the playa are like accelerated “Acculturation means survival,” adds that defines a newbie’s original rite of passage. civil growth: Sometimes one cannot process Steven D, a British burner of six years, “so The other two of us being Black Rock City what happened until they go back to our fear- accommodating fellow burners makes veterans, we’d gone several rounds with her based society.” sense even on a base social level. Everyone’s on the import of the ritual both in terms of Of course, there are also those who take a more responsible not only for themselves, but relevance – and, literally, import: a borrowed hard-line approach to sensitivities. “Everyone for each other as well. Fortunately, part of tradition that many of us experienced straight new to Burning Man should come into it the beauty of Burning Man is the common out of the womb. The notable exceptions – knowing that they’re expected to carry their own commitment to look after each other; there’s being held upside down by your feet by a giant weight,” says another veteran burner. “It seems no compartmentalizing of good will. And that person delivering the swat, before you even get self-evident, but no matter what information usually translates to a pretty decent atmosphere a reasonable hug. and resources you make as widely available as for newbies to come into, from what I’ve seen.” So begins a great playa adventure of possible, you still have people showing up who Many veteran burners also point out the acculturation, a surprisingly easy word to repeat don’t have a clue and aren’t concerned with importance of regional events and web-based quickly, despite its syllabic opulence. Try it, finding one – milkers. If you don’t care about resources such as the Burning Man site and you’ll like it: Acculturation! Not to be confused contributing on some positive level, and you’re Tribe.net in preparing the uninitiated for a stay with the similarly ambitious “assimilation” not respectful enough of the community to be on the playa. “I went to Decompression in San PHOTO CAMERA – acculturation is a much friendlier concept. GIRL prepared, the playa isn’t for you.” Francisco before I went to Burning Man the first Officially: “Cultural modification of an This is how we do it baby! As with many first-timers, Murielle found time, two years ago,” recounts Melanie, a massage individual, group, or people by adapting to the Burning Man cultural environment to be a therapist and dancer from Austin. “So when I got or borrowing traits from another culture; a bit overwhelming when she made her maiden out to the desert, I’d already connected the dots merging of cultures as a result of prolonged sum it up in one word, it’s probably the one voyage last year. “I didn’t have any trouble to some extent, socially and expectation-wise. contact.” So we’ve got ourselves a two-way on one of the first signs you see as you enter: with the physical demands; I’d studied up and I think that without that sequence of events I street; yin and yang; give and take. PARTICIPATION. And, participation requires was fully able to take care of myself for the would’ve had a bumpier ride of it.” Plainly, acculturation fuels the essence and community. Obviously it all begins with the five days I was there. But you get hit with the “A newbie department out on the playa evolution of Burning Man. The perceptions, individual; you have to want to participate. But stimulus overload factor and just a generally would seem to make sense,” another burner histories, talents, quirks, similarities, and once an individual has made that commitment, overwhelmed feeling once you’re in the City suggests. “A place specifically for newbies, proclivities of every person occupying a given it’s important to have opportunities available. that there’s really no way to prepare for, and where they could get information and ask what Burning Man create the cultural fabric of the “Put simply, if you participate and contribute that’s unsettling. I found that you can count they might consider to be stupid questions city. Humanity, tolerance, and the radical self- and make yourself part of things, you’ll on most people who’ve already been to be cool specific to a first time go at it.” expression ethos of the community have proven probably be back. But if you sit back and drink with the rookies, but I think everyone would “Part of the wonder of Burning Man is seeing to be a very workable catalytic combination beer and stay a safe distance, you’ll walk away benefit from zero condescension.” and hearing about the unique ways that folks for creating what many consider to be the best thinking that was a pretty expensive show.” “Attitude from the experienced burners get used to it or not,” the hooper Swivl notes. show on Earth. And we’re all a part of it. Not surprisingly, TradeMark’s sentiments who don’t want to ‘stoop’ to dealing with the “Of course, we could do Burning Man summer Very arguably, then, new citizens have were echoed over and over again among the newbies,” TradeMark agrees is an issue. “‘We’ve camp leading up to the event during the first everything to do with the ever-changing people interviewed for this article. Participants, been here longer and worked harder, so get out weeks in August. Set up an obstacle course. organism that is Burning Man, past, present and good; gawkers/moochers, bad. With equal of our way, plebian.’” Bad attitude! Bring in trainers.” Ambitious. The general rule future. All other issues aside, some questions frequency, veteran burners shared the opinion “I’ve seen the size of the event make a big is that if you think of it first, make it happen; or remain begged: How best to bring fresh blood, that while a reasonable degree of self-reliance difference when it comes to people dealing if you hear an idea that seems right, own it! sweat, and tears into the fold? Who’s responsible and involvement is expected from newcomers, with each other,” reports JoeJo. He took several The push for acculturation, and how best to for getting new burners acclimated and active? they should be cut some slack in terms of years off but came back the past two. “When accomplish it, is still being debated. Hopefully Is the acculturation process as it exists today in relating to their first Burning Man experience. Burning Man was smaller – much smaller – I you’ll see some of the fruits of those efforts need of fixing? “When it comes to newbies (first time feel like there was a different sense to it…like a before and at this year’s Black Rock City. “There must be some common thread, if attendees), one has to remember: Burning small town vibe where everyone kind of knows However, it seems clear that acculturation a tenuous one, that keeps the whole thing Man is a world that operates on community, each other and so they help each other out more is everyone’s responsibility. Bringing people together,” TradeMark of Burning Man support and love,” says longtime BRC resident readily. You can definitely still find plenty of that together with a common ethos, and helping out Information Radio offers. “If you had to Opal Essence. “It can be scary to someone who now, but the scope’s so large that it’s got to be a when you see someone straying, will enhance the experience for us all.

‘Round the Fire of the Man’s Head - PSYCHE!

TEXT NAOMI BOCK

ight of the Burn, 2005. I’m wandering beardless one “Carl-Gustav”, who’s calling him but he has certainly strayed from my teachings When I manage to re-focus on the conversation through the darkness of the deep playa. “Sig”. They seem to be psychoanalyzing somebody with his strange spiritual ideas, dressing up what ‘round the fire the two men have returned to their The burn itself had been a memorable one, to – a man. . . The Man? are simply human pathologies.” psychoanalysis of the Man. say the least. Setting this year’s rotating Man on fire “Clearly, he was in a state of pure Thanatos, the C.G. looks ready to blow his top. “Your morbid “The fact that he relives this trauma every had some unexpected consequences. The heat had death instinct,” Sig declares. reductionism and refusal to deal with man as a year points to a serious repetition-compulsion,” made the Man spin into a high-speed dervish. But “He was enacting an alchemical archetype of spiritual creature defies the cultural and biological intones Sig. this was a little more intense, especially when the the collective unconscious,” offers C.G. truth of religious experience as an expression of the “He repeats this experience as part of his ego’s Man started whirling so fast he broke free of the I’m not following, but not confident enough in psyche! Look at the amazing ritual performed here individuation cycle.” sighs C.G. base and shot up into the sky, raining huge burning my re-kindled German to ask questions. C.G. must on the playa each year. Symbolic of the psyche’s I want to ask them if they realize the Man is chunks all over the playa. Miraculously, no one was have read my mind, as he looks at me and smiles. desire to cleanse itself, to reunite the ego with the literally (if also psychologically) a construction hurt... not badly, anyway. It was roundly declared “For the benefit of this lovely young fraulein, original deep self, fusing with the collective soul of the people of Black Rock City. But before I the best burn ever, and for the vast majority who Sig, perhaps we should introduce our positions. through fire, that great tool of alchemy!” open my mouth, they’re already laughing lightly didn’t know it was an accident, an indication You see, my dear, my colleague here believes “Come back down to earth, Carl Gustav. in response. that the increasingly cautious Burning Man the psyche comprises three parts: the id with its You’ve got a giant wooden man erected and then “Yes, of course we know that, but we’re at Organization had gotten some real edge back. animal desires and unconscious motivations, the set aflame. The whole thing is just a big bonfire of Burning Man, so we’re having a little fun.” So I’m lost in reverie out on the playa, but ego housing the primary self-identity, and the repressed sexual desire.” Suddenly this loud digital ringing starts in my getting a little cold so I head for the orange blur of superego, one’s governing conscience, influenced “Schei-sse, Sig, do you always have to boil ears. It sounds like my cell phone, but those don’t a fire. As I get closer, I can see it’s one of the Man’s by the authoritarian ideologies of a person’s everything down to sex? work on the playa. . . Oh, I’m actually in my bed cinder-chunks; unmistakably his head from the family, religion and society.” “By your curse Carl Gustav, I’d have to say that in Vancouver, what a crazy dream. But Sigmund distinctive triangle shape. Two wizened European "Now I agree that the ego is the center of you are regressing to the anal stage.” Freud and C.G. Jung will actually be on the playa men are sitting by it, deep in conversation conscious identity, but in my view, the deeper Even though I don’t really understand their in 2005, if only in spirit. They’re slated as street – German, maybe? I decide not to interrupt, part of the psyche, the self, is home to both a debate, it seems to me like it’s getting rather petty. names for the Psyche art theme. I imagine myself sticking to the other side of the fire. They look personal and a collective unconscious. We are all I close my eyes and ponder the mysteries of the lost in Black Rock City this year - taking a wrong familiar, famous maybe. One has a white beard born with an intuitive understanding of certain psyche. It seems pretty jam-packed, with all those turn somewhere after Freud and finding myself and small round glasses over his frown, the other archetypal symbols, and our unconscious self memories, phobias, compulsions, and delusions. way out past Jung. . . Scheisse. beardless with slightly bigger glasses and smile. organizes our personal experiences through the The mind is a pack rat, the unconscious a dumping Maybe it was something I ate earlier that universal symbol-language of dreams, searching ground for countless random impressions. Look for Naomi Bock’s upcoming video awakened my childhood German comprehension, for meaning and wholeness.” That’s a hell of a lot of MOOP . . . . And most installation “The Youniversal Mirror of the because suddenly I can understand their “Hocus pocus,” Sig mumbles. Then he says to of it nonflammable, unfortunately, which means Collective Unconscious” in the Center Camp Café at this year’s Burn. conversation. The bearded one is calling the me with a shrug, “Carl Gustav was my student, we’re stuck carting it back out. Curtis Connections

TEXT ARTHUR ZWERN playa vibe full of naughty nurses, lap has no money, no insurance, and not much dancers, body shots, stiltwalkers, DJs, time? Get donations! Folks were asked for $10 crazy lights, chill tents, and an erotic ice bar, or more, gifts of time and help, and love. Then surrounded by all kinds of art. Burning Man? out it went to Eplaya, tribe.net, all of his friends, No, the second annual Burning Solstinox and said “pass it on.” The appeal said things like celebration, where we enjoyed the mid-point “when you reach your hand out to someone in between burns as if we were at one. need, it never comes back empty”. This year’s event was held March the 5th at What do you know, it worked! Within days, SOMArts as a FUN-raiser to support cancer money came pouring in, letters came pouring patient and burner Curtis Coleman, who in, little handmade gifts from children arrived, a appropriately themed it “Connections”. And web site was up (www.friendsofcurtis.com), and PHOTO SUSANNA FROHMAN, connect people did. A team following the 10 a tribe had formed to support Curtis that now SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS Burning Man principles as far as default will has over 250 members. When $100 arrived from allow, connected nearly a thousand people in an a jobless burner in another state that had never Curtis (in ball cap) revels with friends at Solstinox enchanted village, without a single grumble about even met Curtis just as someone else posted disconnecting them from their hard-earned cash. asking if this was a hoax, the community that is Burning Silicon regional members invented stimulated by Red Hot’s online teasing, few How did a traveling children’s musician with Burning Man had fully kicked into all its gears. a holiday for the midpoint between burns, madams have ever done such a brisk turnover a lump in his throat end up surrounded by People started changing their online combining ‘Solstice’ since we are farthest from without a single item of clothing removed. Well, hundreds of us dancing, and become an icon icons to say “Save Curtis.” Then a banner that Man in the desert in both time and space, and I didn’t see any, and I wouldn’t tell you if I did demonstrating we are no longer an event but a ad went up. Soon, the connections began to ‘Equinox’ since we are equally distant from two anyway. Hundreds probably never found the year-round community? This is his story. multiply - DJ Samira donated proceeds from a of his burns. Solstinox. A time for leaving dusty place, since the main stage performances and DJs Curtis was always the Pied Piper in the best booking to Curtis, and a burner dancing there memories behind and beginning that insane rocked way past the planned 4AM end. Mother sense, and could make one laugh or cry within named Susanna happened to be an SJ Merc race to make fantasy an impossible reality on the Nature gave us a perfect night for filling the huge 30 seconds just by picking up a guitar. He may photographer. Soon, a feature story was in the playa. The perfect time to bring that Black Rock outdoor chill area with what else, crowds of us even have gotten thrown out of high school works to cover Curtis on his journey. attitude to the default world, all night long. Three connecting with our old friends and making for stealing attention from teachers with that The day after Thanksgiving and just four days hundred people seemed to relate to that last year, new ones, stirred up by roving kissing bandits. thing. So he toured with bands like [commercial before throat surgery would likely end Curtis’ and the Southbay will never be the same. Curtis is the most persistent person this names deleted], then found his special gift to singing career, Nasti Andi and this reporter So if we should be in asylums as it is, why the reporter knows. He talked his way into the best the world singing songs to kids about safety booked a last-minute recording studio slot to hell not simultaneously make Solstinox a bigger care anyone could get. He taught us the most and finding the voice inside themselves. Over a preserve his beautiful talent. Curtis laid 16 songs party in SF, release a beautiful acoustic music important question to ask every doctor when million schoolchildren were engaged, thrilled, down in five hours, many in one take with some album to the sounds of thumping breaks and your life depends on it: “If your child had what and taught something by the time of that lump, additional guitar overdubs, and some ad-libbed. chill, and raise money for a cancer battle? It all I have, is there anything you would do or anyone including some at the White House. The CD was mixed & mastered the next day, and made perfect sense in the usual twisted way. you would go to besides what we’ve talked about He's attended three Burning Man events, the it sounded so good 1,000 copies were made to Thank god people around here actually know already?” The answers to that question have TOAST Arizona regional twice, and various raise money to help Curtis be self-sufficient. He how to throw real parties in real cities, because increased his chances not only of survival, but of other regional events, so kids were not the named it “For My Friends” because of all the love the amazing Heidi Rose stepped up, personally singing again someday. only ones connecting with Curtis through from this community that has supported him. fought all the dragons required to do this As of this writing, Curtis had just finished his his music and the deep personality behind it. One of the wonderful things about our crazy thing with permits, and attracted a huge last of six weekly chemotherapy treatments. He In fact burners from Arizona to Canada had community is that we learn to go WAY outside following from awesome DJs to dozens of off- has a few more of his daily radiation treatments. already extended their circles to each other of the box so effortlessly, and sure enough there duty DPW and Rangers. Nearly every last labor The effects are progressive, and while the doctors through Curtis, including this reporter. Then was a bill for 1,000 CDs on the way, to the most hour and every party item was gifted, because are hopeful the cancer is gone forever, they at a Santa Barbara burner Halloween party, clueless newbie record producer in history. Pre- that’s how we do it, and you couldn’t do it any nearly killed the patient to do this. On purpose. he made a fateful connection – an oncologist, sales were about 3 copies. So, out went another other way. Curtis really wants you to know how He can hardly talk and eats through a stomach who immediately insisted the lump Curtis was call out to the community, and HeidiWD who much he appreciates the hundred plus people tube. We don’t know if he will sing again. By ignoring in his throat is definitely cancer until never met Curtis had created awesome CD cover that participated deeply in this one! A partial list BM05 he might taste again, and if we are damn proven otherwise. art. Mousetrap who Curtis met on the playa only is at www.solstinox.com. lucky he’ll sing a song on the playa. We do know By November, the diagnosis was squamous once said “why not throw a release party?” The Things got real interesting when Special K we’ve raised enough money now to support him cell carcinoma, requiring surgery, chemotherapy, people rejoined “great idea, go do it!” asked Captain Erotica for some FUN-raising till then and bring him Home. And we know that and radiation. Five year survival rate 25%, and So Mousetrap went and gave SOMArts a ideas, and she created a safe ‘n sane erotic even though he was not able to enjoy his party no way to sing for at least a year if ever. So what deposit. As possible dates edged closer to March, amusement park the likes of which hasn’t been much, he was there connecting us, and that’s the seen before. At $10 a lap dance with traffic do you do when your 45-year-old best friend a tingly feeling prevailed. Last year, a bunch of most important thing.

AZ Burners Gifting Off Playa

TEXT ANDIE GRACE he students at Arizona’s Service To All Radio Electra setup to the school. Since there we have a real sampling of skills in our community have translated into a desire to help bring Relations School (STAR School), 30 miles already was a plan afoot to build a low-power – it shows that Burning Man is not just for artists, the Burning Man ethos into their larger east of Flagstaff, have not made it to Black Rock station for the school, it was a perfect match or DPW builder types, or performers….all these community. This spring, when the same hands City yet, but thanks to the Arizona Regional to benefit the children by providing exposure folks come together to enhance the experience.” that will construct theme camps, art projects, group, they’ve learned a little something about to the inner workings of the station and the Each of these skills can be given as a gift at Burning and mutant vehicles for Black Rock City break the Burning Man community. The students at education that Taylor could provide. Man; extending this gift to these Arizona children ground on the performance amphitheater at this charter elementary school, which serves On October 11th, 2004, Ranger Beauty was this Regional group’s way of bringing a piece STAR School, the students and their families children in grades K-8 from the local Navajo and her husband “Rat Bastard” helped to set of Burning Man home to share. will know that Burning Man’s “gift economy” and Hopi tribes, enjoyed a visit in October 2004 up the station’s gear, while Taylor answered It seems that the close ties generated by the extends far beyond the orange trash fence that from several Arizona burners – among them, AZ questions about broadcasting, and explained Arizona group’s approach to collaboration surrounds our desert event. Regional Contact Gary Taylor and Lynn “Ranger to the children how the microphone worked. Beauty” Drake-Browne – who brought Taylor’s “The kids were nervous and giddy,” said playa radio station setup to STAR’s classrooms Beauty. “From teens all the way down to first to educate the students about broadcasting. graders, they all got a chance to experience Burning at the NV Day Parade The Arizona group took on STAR school as a (broadcasting) first hand. It gave them test project in 2002, says Taylor, as a way to “turn a hands-on sense of how radio actually (Burning Man) into something beyond just works.” Each class was called in one at a ‘showing up and having a good time’.” The low- time over the school’s PA as it broadcast the powered station, “Radio Electra”, broadcasts station; the older kids tried their hands at on the playa as a gift to Black Rock City, and announcements, while the youngest classes has made an appearance at several regional sang a song together (adorably, says Beauty, events. At STAR School, the station served as they even executed the song’s choreographed a different kind of gift – an educational tool hand motions as they sang). for the school’s 55 students, providing them This spring, STAR school will receive yet with an opportunity to learn about low-power another gift from the Burning Man community. broadcasting and get hands-on experience Using materials purchased with a $1000 grant behind the microphone. “Radio Electra has from the Black Rock Arts always been a gift,” says Taylor. “I don’t build it so people can listen to my voice. I build it so Foundation, AZBurners will donate that others who have an interest can join in. If their manpower to build a performance you include others in your creation, you give amphitheater at the school for its students to them an opportunity to interact.” enjoy for years to come. The connection to STAR school started Over time, it would appear, this ownership when the operators of the progressive, solar- of the experience has translated into a social powered school, Kate and Mark Sorenson, contract among the group’s members. Grover attended Burning Man in 2002, plugging Davis, an Arizona co-Regional who now lives in in with the Arizona burn community along San Francisco, says “What happens in Arizona the way. The Sorensons joined the Arizona is truly a credit to every one of the individuals involved. It’s a collective effort. It’s caring for discussion list, and when the time came to PHOTO BILLKOSITZKY find a Decompression venue, they offered each other…even in situations where people to host that year’s event on their ranch. The have personality conflicts, you’ll see these WANTED: ART CARS FOR ARTERY ART TOURS. We need large and safe art vehicles, (capacity of about 20) that are regis- Decom was a success, and the Sorensons people and they’re still working on a project - tered with the DMV, for art tours. Wheelchair access on the art car is not required but would be a real bonus. The tour usually - together.” takes about 1.5 hours and the art car would provide their own gas and would ideally have a PA or mic on board (bullhorns became a beloved part of the local group. It are also available). The art car operator(s) need to contact us soon to let us know that they can commit to driving one tour was that connection that led Kate Sorenson to Taylor agrees with Davis’ assessment. “This in a sober state. Art tour vehicle operators will be blessed by increased playa karma points and knowing that they helped ask Taylor if he’d be interested in bringing his thing isn’t about ‘my’ creativity, it’s about yours… many participants learn more about the art of Burning Man. For more information, contact: [email protected] Sunday and Monday of the event: Set-up: A Media Mecca Participate By Volunteering! few dedicated, hardworking volunteers needed The Media Mecca Team manages to set hundreds of cones to delineate the exit media policy on and off the playa year- lanes and merge points. This happens during round. We need people willing to connect the day on Saturday. Exiters: Stand in the dust and create relationships with the media. lack Rock City is an all-participant Center Camp, the playa’s largest community and wave traffic into and across lanes. Answer a E-mail [email protected]. City. Each of us is called upon to space operates twenty-four hours a day for few questions, untangle snarls, but mostly wave Office Squad San Francisco contribute our art or our talents or our efforts the entire event. Cafe stages and space call on goodbye! Flaggers: This is a job that requires a bit . . . or whatever it is you do to enhance the Burning Man participants to showcase their more time commitment -Flaggers will attend a We can always use dedicated souls to help experience of your fellow citizens. Listed below talents in spoken word, aerial performance, Nevada State certification class that takes about throughout the year at Burning Man HQ SF are some of the groups within our community music, plays and dance in its highly-visited 6 hours and is held off-playa during the event. on a regular or irregular basis. Projects vary that could use some help with their volunteer central location. We need artists, entertainers, Transportation is provided and the certification from filing, copying, data entry, bulk mail- projects. We provide this information to drive decorators, builders, electricians, lighting is good for two years. Tear-down: Some more ing, video logging, you never know who home the fact that you gotta do something in designers, baristas, counter people, sound hard-working people needed to pick up all will need help with what in our busy hub. Black Rock City, ‘cause there ain’t no spectators! technicians and stage managers to bring to those hundreds of cones and help tear down the E-mail [email protected] We look forward to seeing you on playa. life this center of colorful energy. The Center Greeters’ shade structure. Please check out the Airport Camp Cafe invites everyone passionate website at http://exodus.burningman.com or PHOTO BOB about participation and community to E-mail [email protected] Yes, Virginia, there is an Airport! It exists help share in this truly amazing endeavor. Fire Conclave as certainly as dust storms and glorious E-mail [email protected]. sunsets on the playa. Building and running a We are looking for Fire Performers, temporary airport requires many volunteers Commissary Musicians, Fire Tenders and anyone who would and skills. We need “Customs Agents” Help Feed the Peeps Who Build Our City! like to help with fire activities and be part of (training provided) for gate control, box Here’s your opportunity to lend a hand in the the Fire Conclave throughout Burning Man. office, greeting, and information. We need commissary, where we cook up a storm (often No matter where you may live in the world pilots to give UNICOM advisories. We need in a storm) for the DPW and other Burning you can still participate in Fire Activities. construction and general labor in San Jose Man staffers. The Commissary is looking for Email Crimson Rose, Naked Fire Goddess, Census volunteers count at BMHQ. pre-event. On-playa volunteers are welcomed interested folk who have a few weeks to spare [email protected]. for everything from runway marking to for Commie administration, ten days to offer Gate and Perimeter Playa Info airplane parking to lamp lighting. Contact for expediting foodstuffs around the city, or Gate Staff and Perimeter needs your help [email protected] or call for those who simply don’t mind a little dust in In Center Camp, under the blue “i” in the to ensure that every person is a contributing the Airport Manager at (408) 297-9795. their food. E-mail [email protected]. sky, you’ll find the central point for getting member of the burning man communities, and distributing the hot information. Want to ARTery Department of Mutant Vehicles in the most fundamental way (has purchased know about the times for a particular event, The ARTery is the Burning Man Art Team. DMV Hotties Wanted - The BRC DMV a valid ticket). As our departments run how to have your RV pumped, or how far the On-playa, our headquarters functions as seeks seasoned Playa participants to train 24hrs many short 6 hour shifts are available Sun is from planet Earth? Lost something? a check-in center for artists, as well as a in the process of licensing Mutant Vehicles. around the clock. Volunteers' activities Need a camera tag? Need to find a friend’s hub for information about their art. Off- E-mail [email protected] . range from directing traffic, tearing camp? The Playa Info Oracles are a veritable playa, we operate all year round to make Department of Public Works (DPW) tickets, participating in vehicle searches, to fountain of factual and frivolous informa- sure that artist applications get processed riding along with the perimeter team and tion about workings and activities of BRC. If and art-ifacts are catalogued. Our internal If you would like to volunteer your time to thwarting fence-crashers outside our city. you’re someone who loves to meet all kinds of groups include Artist Advocate, Operations, help build Black Rock City, and have carpentry, E-mail [email protected] new people, be empowered with information, plumbing, heavy equipment, rigging, electrical, Planning, Art Tours, and Tech Team. To Greeters communicate, and be helpful, this is a great join, please fill out the Volunteer form at building skills, or just a burning desire to volunteer opportunity, in a very lively and fun As you prepare for our spiritual journey into http://www3.burningman.com/people and volunteer, you may have what it takes to be environment. We need people with all levels of the desert this year, consider the opportunity mark down “Artery Team" as your department DPW. We’re having work weekends throughout experience to volunteer in our service areas. of being a Greeter. It’s a great way to meet new of interest. the year starting in late April, with a push to E-mail [email protected]. build BRC starting in early August. For those people and express your love to your playa Bay Area Flambe Lounges & Special Events: who want to stay and help clean up post-event brothers and sisters. Greeters take on a shift of Rangers If you live in the area or are coming for a weekend, a week or more you can help to 4 hours of meeting and greeting and welcom- The Black Rock Rangers ride the edge of into town for one of these events, you can ensure the survival of the event by joining us. ing home a lot of weary and excited travelers. chaos. The Rangers are a group of male and volunteer as an artist, original performer, E-mail [email protected] We search for registered theme camps and female volunteers that are non-confrontational deejay, theme camper, set-up/break-down mediators and providers of information, devoted person or builder. Share a video. Volunteer PHOTO CAMERAGIRL to public safety and the quality of participant your original ideas and unique abilities. Email experience. Rangers also serve as a buffer or [email protected] with ideas interface between participants, the Burning and questions. Man organization, and outside agencies. Black Rock Gazette We have an Echelon group that is an integral part of the Ranger department providing Since 1992 the Black Rock Gazette has logistical support for Ranger operations. informed, entertained and amazed the E-mail [email protected]. populace of Black Rock City. In 2005 we’re going to do it again! We will need volunteers Recycle Camp for all phases of design and production from Dedicated volunteers are needed to promote the City Desk to photography to distribution, recycling to the citizens of BRC. Spread and everything in between. If you want a place the word, collect aluminum cans for the to volunteer to get your toehold in Black Rock Gerlach School, have fun and Leave No Trace. City, join us at our 10AM meetings on playa! E-mail [email protected]. E-mail [email protected] Technology and Web Team Black Rock Arts Foundation The Tech Team develops, manages and Incorporated in May 2001, The Black maintains the back-end infrastructure and Rock Arts Foundation is a non-profit arts public-facing elements of the Burning Man organization furnishing artists with monetary technology tools which include the website, and non-monetary aid for the production extranet, databases, office-based desk top support DPW Vols get ‘er done at The Ranch. and display of interactive artwork around and system administration. The web site projects the globe. We are devoted to promoting a Earth Guardians hook up folks with a Lead Greeter who points bring together technical, Ux, content and other them in the right direction. We hand out fun revival of art’s culture-bearing and connective The Earth Guardians inform, inspire web-related volunteers dedicated to supporting function by removing art from its context filled packages of collated materials. We pro- and expanding a strong online community, which and encourage the citizens of BRC to apply vide camera tags for video capable cameras. in the marketplace and reintegrating it into Leave No Trace principles to life in our provides information, resources, contacts, and a communal settings. Now in our third cycle of We offer BRC virgins the opportunity to ring way to celebrate Burning Man throughout the year. temporary desert home and beyond. We in the beginning of an experience that will funding, we are looking for volunteers to help us also visit the desert on weekends through- A fun and diverse group of talented individuals, with development, clerical work and marketing forever change their lives. We smile and laugh the Tech Team welcomes network engineers, out the year to assist the Federal Bureau of and walk away from our shifts charged with the on a regular basis. We are also looking for in Land Management and other desert users system administrators, python programmers, kind donations and people who have resources happy energy of newly arrived BRC citizens. Zope/Plone developers, HTML coders, CSS with restoration and conservation efforts. We are also looking for Burning Man veter- to share with others for the purpose of creating Email [email protected]. wizards, database jockeys, web scripters, graphic art and cultivating creative environments. ans to act as Leads to be the ears and voice of designers, information architects, project E-mail [email protected] Emergency Services Department (ESD) the station, keeping things running smoothly. managers, writers, content editors, and image E-mail [email protected]. CampArctica ESD provides BRC with Emergency jockeys. These days we are particularly looking Medical Services, Fire Fighting, Mental Lamplighters for project managers, writers, and user experience The ice must flow, and as the “soul” outlet Health and Emergency Dispatch servic- Illumination! Navigation! Celebration! gurus to help with our current projects. If you’re for this essential element, CampArctica is es. We are currently seeking professionals interested in helping, please fill out the volunteer vital to the life of our community. Help us Don a robe, grab a lifting pole, and jump on and volunteers for all areas of ESD service. Lucy(fer), the Lamplighter Mutant Vehicle, as questionnaire at: http://www.burningman.com/ distribute this sacred resource to playa folk E-mail [email protected]. participate/questionnaire.html in a fun, friendly environment as we create we’re off to light BRC! Whiteout or shine, we our own frozen oasis on the desert floor. Exodus light evr’y night! Lamplighter Chapel - Center Video Documentation Team E-mail [email protected]. The Exodus team is always in need of Camp. Email: [email protected] The Video Documentation Team is looking Center Camp Cafe volunteers to direct traffic out of our beloved Legal Team for general volunteers with knowledge of video city at the end of the event. In our quest to Burning Man has a stellar team of legal production, a team volunteer coordinator A community of over 600 volunteers, empty Black Rock City as quickly and safely and videographers with their own equipment. artists, musicians and builders come together help. If you have legal experience and as possible, we need people to fill a couple of would like to work pro bono let us know. E-mail [email protected] . every year to create the Center Camp Cafe roles for four-to-six hour shifts on Saturday, community space. Located in the middle of E-mail [email protected]. which allows you to take more sensory infor- How Does mation, or more elements of the previous thought into account. This makes the bundle Life at the Ranch of bombarded memory locations bigger, and TEXT BY MATT MULLIN Creativity Work? it can get even bigger as the activation process lying out across the Black Rock Desert, Dave said that the original storage area, repeats again and again. So the quality of your TEXT BY: LIANIMAL near Gerlach, Nevada, I was amazed to “the 80 acres,” became quite an eyesore over thought becomes less analytic and more asso- time. To the untrained eye, it appeared as if ciative. Memories and concepts that are only see what appeared to be a giant steel butterfly off as this year’s ‘Psyche’ theme got you stuff was strewn about with no organization wondering what was going on in your related to your current situation in strange or in the distance. As I got closer, I could see that I mind when you had the idea of decorating unusual ways, stumble in through back-door had been looking at a huge silver Quonset hut, or accountability to what was out there. Since your bike like the fire-breathing dragonfly you alleyways of your mind, and appear in your with shade structures attached to each side, giv- then, Black Rock Station, or “the Ranch”, as it stream of thought. And sometimes this associa- dreamed about, or what made a fire-breathing ing the building a “winged” appearance. I had is affectionately known, was created on a 200 dragonfly appear in your dream in the first tive process leads to ideas that you never could acre parcel located about 20 miles from the have had if your thinking was constrained the stumbled across Black Rock Station, Burning place? Why is the human mind so much more town of Gerlach. inventive than that of other species? How did way it is when you’re in a more analytic mode Man’s official storage and work facility. we become so creative? of thought. It is well known that people often come up with insights in their dreams, which PHOTO DUNNO That’s what I get paid in the default world makes sense because when we are dreaming, to figure out! Some people are put off by the this associative mode of thought has free reign. attempt to understand how the creative process works. But the goal isn’t to take the magic out So what makes us want to come up with new of creativity. It’s to infuse the magic of creativ- ideas in the first place? It has to do with what ity into our understanding of the mind, and is called conceptual closure, which is the desire our understanding of the world. to have the elements of your internal model of the world somehow relate to one another, fit It turns out that creativity has to do with the in with one another, whatever way they can. way our memory is constructed. Memories are When there is a ‘gap’ in this integrated web of spread across lots of little ‘memory locations’ ideas and attitudes and feelings, you experi- and likewise, each memory location participates ence a kind of dissatisfaction, a yearning, until in the encoding of lots of different memories. you finally achieve the ‘conceptual orgasm’ that So memories are smooshed into one another, resolves it and ‘gives birth to’ a new idea. Like and the more smooshed together they are, the for instance, the idea to transform your bike greater the tendency not only for one thing to into a fire-breathing dragonfly! remind us of another, but for us to come up with new ideas that blend or ‘entangle’ our One of the amazing aspects of Burning Man memories and concepts in interesting ways. is not only does it provide a unique opportu- nity for creative self-expression but it inspires The ability to think creatively depends not creative people to come together and see what just on how memory is constructed, but on kind of sparks fly when they interact. Each how it gets used. In a normal state of mind, the person has the contents of not just their own Aerial view of "The Ranch" reason one thought transforms into another is mind, but of each others’ minds to serve as the “Several years ago, the Burning Man According to the 2004 Nevada Properties that we bombard a small bundle of these mem- ingredients which with to activate those bun- ory locations with not just the contents of our dles of memory locations. And this kind of cre- organization leased some acreage near the Afterburn Report, water and utilities have been previous thought, but also new information ative interaction doesn’t have to be face to face. playa to consolidate equipment and materials established, including an irrigation system from our senses (for example, about what we’re It’s enough to see (or hear or feel) the fruits of needed for the event each year”, explained Dave for the park. “Part of the permitting process seeing or hearing or touching). The mind puts someone else’s creative thought process to be this all together to form the new thought, and it “SuperDave” Pedroli, who is now the Nevada required us to create a one-acre landscaped re- affected by it. The result is that together they Properties Manager for Burning Man. Dave is vegetation area, to compensate for the five acres does this again and again to generate a sensible can come up with ideas that neither could stream of thought. have generated alone. Let’s see what we create responsible for the maintenance, development of industrial use,” reported Dave. Hualapai But when this kind of sensible thought pro- together in this year of Psyche! and acquisition of BRC’s properties in Nevada, Park, named after the valley in which the Ranch cess gets stuck, or doesn’t solve a problem, or including Black Rock Station, the Gerlach is situated, is expected to eventually become an satisfy an intuition, or let you express what (For more information see www.vub.ac.be/ CLEA/liane or drop Lianimal, a PhD in Cognitive Office, Gerlach Showers, Black Rock Social oasis of greenery in an otherwise stark desert needs to be expressed, all this happens a little Club, Bruno’s Trailer Park and the Reno Office. environment. Dave said that virtually all of differently. Your attention becomes defocused, Science, a line at [email protected].) the building and special use permits have been fulfilled, indicating that meeting this objective was crucial to retaining the site for future use. The Future Of Burning Man Threatened: “As we finish construction of the shops and facilities, the future hope is that the art community will be able to use the facility for Participants Leaving Traces Of Trash the construction and/or assembly of artwork

TEXT BY CALEB “SHOOTER” SCHABER destined for Burning Man,” explained Dave. According to Marian “MaidMarian” Goodell, he future of Burning Man is at risk. Small PHOTO CHRIS PETRELL pieces of trash, called MOOP (matter Burning Man’s Mistress of Communication, out of place) have increased. The MOOP left the immediate plans are to ensure that the by participants threatens the renewal of the property comes into compliance with all per- event permit. mits and ordinances. She indicated that once “People are forgetting to never let it hit the this priority is completed, it might eventually ground,” said Marian Goodell, Mistress of be possible to open the doors to the artists, but communications in the Black City LLC. “We there are still many hurdles to overcome. barely passed,” continued Goodell. “It puts us under much tighter scrutiny for next year.” Though the totality of the future for the “Cleaning up is something you actually Ranch has yet to be established, one thing is for want to think about when you are planning certain – a tremendous amount of hard work your camp,” Goodell said. Many participants and effort by Burning Man staff and volunteers have told her sob stories regarding messy camp has been accomplished, and even greater things sites. These range from poor planning and love affairs gone sour to participants fleeing the are just around the corner! playa, late for a flight out of Reno. None are excusable or acceptable. All threaten the event. Michael Durgavich Although Burning Man passed the BLM Publisher And Editor In Chief inspection after last year’s event, the methodol- ogy the BLM uses to inspect the playa has also Angie Z & Carry Tveit changed. Less than 4 square feet of trash can be Goddesses of Design found in the 2200 acres the event is held on. Lake Lahontan at High Tide. Larry Breed Proof Reader The Burning Man site is inspected in Once everything is removed from the playa Most volunteer positions with the DPW for October after the event, and a second inspec- another crew of workers walks the entire city to the construction of Black Rock City fill months Francis Wenderlich, tion occurs in the spring. Previously, the BLM make sure that nothing is left behind. This has before the event, but there are openings now for Graphics & Operations would sample 3 grids of the city 100 feet by been dubbed the zombie walk. work weekends and post-event cleanup. 1000 thousand feet. Now they sample 75 cir- Abby Ehmann, Mitch Martin, Suza cular areas 64 feet across. None of the work is easy. Any participant knows Editors that if they have tried to build something and WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP? “If we don’t pass the BLM inspection, we Jennifer Cook clean it up. But this is much more labor intensive. So you think you have what it takes? Before Volunteer Coordinator don’t have an event,” said Will Roger, LLC Even veterans of cleanup have become demoral- you give up your apartment and move to the member, who for many years participated ized. But others find it meditative. desert for two months, try a work weekend. Ed Ingraham in the BLM inspection of the playa. Roger’s Webmaster advice to all is “Be a conscious person by clean- “I think that walking the line has made me As of this writing, all of Black Rock City is ing your mess.” aware of how important it is to be responsible under water. But in the next few weeks that Maureen Anglin since we are allowed to use the earth,” said water will dry up and leave the playa renewed Distribution Captain JOINING THE SPECIAL FORCES! Crimson Rose, LLC co-manager of the art from the year before. The water also brings MOOP to the surface. Wedding rings, coins and Gothalot After the event, the Black Rock City department. Crimson spends an enormous Theme Camp Manager Department of Public Works, who build the amount of time on the playa inspecting the even a Chupacabra Policia officer’s badge were city and the infrastructure prior to the event, cleanup of art. “Since the art department gives recovered in spring cleanup. One bonus is that Anthony Peterson begin dismantling the home of 35,000 people. money to create art, we feel we have a higher you get to keep what you find! Writer/Photog/LNT stewardship of the playa and to that on to the By the time BLM performs an inspection in But every camp has a responsibility for cleanup. Writers October no trace remains. artists.” She has also spent long days cleaning Within your own camp, tribe or art project Howard Jones, Ed Cotter, Liane Gabora, Playa Boy, art up to make sure that no trace is left. The DPW Special Forces is a ten person crew designate a Leader to focus specifically on the Tom Laporte, Klown Boenobo, Caleb Schaber, that removes the ashes of the man and port-o- “How we leave the playa is every bit as Clean-Up Effort. Build a team that is ready to rock Arthur Zwern, Matt Mullin important as how we enter,” said DA. “In fact, when the rock show is over. Designate a vehicle potty stains from playa, among other things. Photographers Team leader DA first came to the event in 1997. it’s more so. Right now we set the standard to specifically for garbage. Bring shovels, push brooms, trash cans, rakes, and put them to use. Garthzilla, Brad Templeton, Richard Jones, Bill In 2000, he volunteered to work for the DPW. which all other users of the playa are held, and I Kositzky, Bob, Camera Girl think that’s a good thing.” Pay special attention to kitchen and work areas. For him, he feels a close connection to post- Special Thanks: event work. It’s the third act of a 3 Act Play. “It’s a pretty unique experience,” said Remember to never let it hit the ground, clean Mayfield, DPW volunteer coordinator. as you go, cleanup after your mates as they go, and Ada Lee, Jr, Actiongrl, Wrh, M2, Dave Silver, Jrich, Set-Up is the first, The Big Event comes sec- Responding Department Heads ond, and Clean-up is the finale. “It’s quite a “Watching the city disappear is a great way to volunteer for cleanup. This will keep our playa beautiful thing restoring the desert to its natu- decompress. We play hard and work hard. Only clean, and the event alive and thriving. To vol- ral beauty,” he said. “You can actually hear the the hardcore need apply.” unteer for work weekend cleanups contact dpw- www.burningman.com city disappear with its return to silence.” [email protected] to register.