Prophe-see T.V. is on the Air!

Society member Tbone of "The Todd Don't Stop" fame went live with his all-seeing future visionary device. It was very popular around the playa. Here he is at The Deep End and Kid's Camp. Can you tell which is which?

Haberdashery

What will we need for the next meeting?

What will be the best way to make top hats?

The playing card method seems to be sturdy method. I'm sure we could make it taller with more flare.

What other methods could we use?
What materials do we need?

I imagine making a hat, then cutting out windows so that you can see inside the workings of the (cardboard) gears. Light it up at night (if the light rotated, it would look the gears are moving). Solar panel on top to charge during the day.

Or

Maybe we can work off of cylinder paper lanterns.

Maybe our camp name can be related to our brain gears - the Prognosticating Hatters, Gear Brains, The Calibrated Cranium Society... Some inspiration here?

We'll also make that master list of everything we need to buy, make and plan.
And think of party activities.

You Glow Girl!

This company makes crazy glowing furry clothing. Glowing AND furry? Sounds to me like two great things that go great together. ("Hey you got your chocolate in my peanut butter!") I have no idea how it works but it looks great for night time costumes.

Eccentric Genius

A "gentleman inventor" makes inspiring inventions with steamy names.

The Apothecary is open for business

Here's a few examples of those bottles that I've been messing around with. Thrown in for effect are some old coins and a bag I picked up at 826 Valencia. A pirate store. Steampunk skypirate coins, of course.

And if you're in the market for a new digital camera, here's one that is both damn cool, and will fit our theme pretty well:

WOW! What a great day!

We had quite a productive day over at the Perambulator workshop yesterday. It was pretty impromptu but we eventually rounded up 5 of the group to get things started. In the morning AP and I took all of the unnecessary parts off of the cart. Then we removed the rear shocks/springs and replaced them with steel tubing. This will prevent the cart sag with all the extra weight. When The Baroness, The Amazing Leslie and Baron of All showed up we took the cart out for a stress test. We even piled on two teenagers. We were all impressed that the cart didn't seem to mind all the weight.
Next we got to work on the steel frame. Using the model for reference B of All and B of Less set to work cutting the steel to length. AP worked on cutting the table top in half for the end details. The Great Leslie worked on the overall shape of the exterior and did a lot of grinding. I worked on welding. Everyone contributed ideas for structural and detail elements. Things took shape quickly. We had a large portion of the frame done when The Baron and Ness left for the day. (Thanks for lunch!) The rest of us soldiered on. Leslie worked on the boiler for the vehicle. (An old air compressor tank.) While AP worked on hardwood flooring for the cab and passenger area. We finally punched out around six. We were exhausted.
But the end result is pretty impressive. We've got a lot more work to go but if this first day is any indication I'm sure we'll reach our objective before the big week. I'll send out a more formal email next time we have another work party. Go team!

Solar Player Piano

All week I was looking forward to sharing this with everyone at the meeting, then the snow came, and memories flooded back, and, well, you know the rest. I would much rather try to explain it in person, but don't want to wait until April, so here goes...

As I daydremed about the theme of Burning Man this year, specifically "man's interaction with nature", things drifted in and out of my head. A wall of stained glass that created images at certain times of the day and angle of sun...kind of a Raiders of the Lost Ark thing (when Dr. Jones is down in the pit with his staff of the right height).

How about a grid of shaded solar cells, all attached to drivers that turn on and off a single musical note? The grid could be oriented such that, due to the shading of each cell, only a few solar cells are activated in the early morning, but, as the day went on, different cells would turn on, get louder, more and more ramping up until finally crescendoing at a certain time or times (noon, 2pm, etc) and, as the sun went down, slowly fade away. This grid could play a tune, a series of tunes, or whatever we wanted.

I have no idea of the logistics behind this, but it would be awesome to pull it off.

---Baron All

Transmogrificatory!

Thanks for filing that meeting report, Prof. It's all true!
(Scroll down and read Third-Group Meeting Rundown first.)

Update on potential other camp members - I talked to Dan Donohue. He did get a ticket but is not 100% sure he can go. I showed him the blog and got him up to speed, somewhat. He has other camp offers - but the Luscious Gizmoteer and I will work him over some more this weekend. LG will also redouble efforts to talk to Kristen Nadaraja nee Nygaard.

Also, at the meeting, I showed some little sketches of making our bikes into little perambulators. The idea would be to attach some sort of arched pole coming from the back of the bike with a little fake balloon on top so that the bike looks like a balloon-carried vehicle. The balloons could be lit up which would be very practical at night. The practicality of making such contraptions? I dunno. I'll try and post some of those sketches at some point.

We had plenty of little ideas percolating around the lasagna. The concept of Transmogrify came up. I've got some ideas - use whatever parts of them you want...
We could be a camp of Transmogrifiers! People could bring us objects (or ideas) and we can work with them to transmogrify it- perhaps with a specialty in synaesthesia. Can we satisfy people's transmogrify needs? I qhoth the philosopher, Hobbes, "It's amazing what they do with corrugated cardboard these days." (Go to Transmogrifier.com and search Calvin and Hobbes for the word "transmogrifier" for technical details about transmogrify technology).

We bring some crafting supplies and tools (glue gun, paint, staple gun, tape... as well as manipulatable would-be-trash like plastic and corks). Maybe we help someone transmogrify their simple sun hat into something with shiny decorations, or perhaps we could transmogrify their song into a flavor... We could transmogrify plastic containers to be part of our faux-stained glass. When someone comes and asks us to transmogrify playa dust into booze, we can proclaim "It cahn't be done!" with a flourish. We could all have our specialties - taste, alchemy, whatever. We have a sign out front to let people know when services are being offered (whenever we feel like, plus a few set hours). We don't have to do anything all that spectactular, so long as we deliver strong schtick - then we're providing entertainment and a very creative experience.

We would be able to find others to collaborate with. If the Taste Wagon continues to roll in 2007, we could work with them - hopefully get them to be there for our party. I can imagine holding a couple transmogrify workshops early in the week where we may even be able to recruit a few fellow burners to help provide transmogrify services. I know some folks who will camp elsewhere, but might be willing to play at this sort of think. I think the concept allows for all sorts of fun interpretations - from the practical reuse/recycle end to the more trippy fantastical end.

In this context, my collaborative art cyclorama would be an excercise in worldwide societal transmogrify.

Am I making sense? Whatchyou think?

Third Group Meeting-Rundown

For those that weren't able to attend here's a brief rundown.
Aristotle made a great veggie pesto lasagne. LG and TBone made a sushi salad and Mr. Alchemystic, true to his name, concocted a butternut squash pasta. But enough about the menu.
Many ideas were put on the table. We talked about the shade structure, Mr. Alchemystic said he'd like to help with that. We talked about the shower and gray water, Mr A said he'd help with that too. LG and Aristotle talked about the food, to which Mr. A agreed to assist as well. He also expressed and interest in the Perambulator. Wheew! My A. is going to be busy.
We talked a lot about different designs for different aspects of camp. No final decisions were made but some headway definitely was. We brainstormed on ideas for a camp name. We came up with "Pooh and Strawberries" or something with "luft" in it. We should work a little more on this. We also talked about handing out shrinky-dink necklaces, rubber stamping people and iconographic wristbands that would identify a person's sin preferences (Sin Rings? Sin Strap?). Mr. A even talked about henna tattooing. Tbone talked about his cyclorama painting idea and the preponderance of penises in casual art. Professor Fate (that's me) talked more about his Perambulator idea. There was even a model of it. Many suggestions were made. LG agreed to get us all on a group calendar and spreadsheet through google to keep track of people's availability and what items they had to contribute to the camp.
What we didn't talk about was the date for next meeting. The Baroness of Less and Baron of All were Soarely missed and will be expected to have extra cool stuff to talk about at the next meeting. The Great (and fabulous) Leslie will have much to talk about as well (like how Prof. Fate won't stop talking about the Perambulator).
And remember to collect green and clear plastic containers for the stained-glass panel and corks for the curtain!

I am, how you say, blog

wow, computers sure can do a lot of shit. this is my first blog ever. i am so excited.

i love this Art from Garbage idea. That is one of my greatest passions in life, creating art from what would otherwise be garbage. one man's ceiling... or what's that saying?

my brother learned, while working at a science summer camp, that you can make, yes make, shrinky-dinks using plastic to-go containers. well specifically, clear plastic recyclable #7, or was it #6? i'll find out. basically, you cut out the shape you want, color with sharpies, and bake in the oven for about 10 seconds. voila, garbage-charms. this could go a long way with the panel or curtain wall of whatever this stained-glass-mosaic-garbage-wall materializes as. yes, i'm very excited to see where we can take this idea. i'm in.

till next time,
i am
mr. alchemystic
the psuedo scientist.

Making art out of trash

We (the Baron and Baroness, Fate and I) were sitting around riffing some more on art for the burn last Sunday. We thought it might be cool to create a large stained-glass-like piece of art of The Green Man using clear plastic from packages that you would normally throw away. Like the obnoxious trays that Trader Joe's packages all of their fruit and veggies into. Or soda bottles. There are cool shapes everywhere!


We haven't figured out how we would assemble the pieces together, or how we would color the clear plastic, or much more than this, but that'll get figured out. It would be a curtain or wall for the camp. Fate and I have started collecting plastic items already. It's amazing how much trash our family of four generates.

I've also got my co-workers in on it. This could get out of hand...

Steam Dreams

That was a great meeting the other night. This is gonna be a badass burn.
I would like to hear more from Matt and Eran - how do you guys imagine spending your prep time and energy when prepping for the burn?

Jon talked about having a thin material covering the dirigible with lights inside. This is the method that made this seahorse chariot one of the prettiest things on the playa. You can see it works tremendously well.

I've really got no experience on engines and whatnot - but, Jon, I want to encourage you to find someone who can let you know how much weight different engines can handle. Perhaps an art car forum on tribe will have the answers. All of the art cars I remember on the playa were built off buses, tractors and cars. The car ones seemed to struggle when they got to six people.

Maybe we could think about a two-person perambulator and a posse of steam-punked bikes. When we travel around town together, we'll be memorable which will make people want to visit our camp full of Wonders .

One wonder could be a collaborative Cyclorama (360 degree panoramic paintings - popular at 19th century world's fairs). LG and I tossed around a similar idea before our first burn.

This last picture is a doodle on a slightly-greened steam punk look.

Cyborg Overture

Have I mentioned that I'm excited about the 'Green Man' theme? I've begun riffing on the nature/human thing in this painting - and there will be more to come.

I'll also be building up the 'Burning Man' gallery on my website.

Save your good trash

On the heels of Tbone's post I'd like to remind everyone to keep an eye out for Perambulator parts and stuff for the camp in general. Try to think outside the item's original use to create something strange and wonderful. Today I scavenged some 'Oak' Pergo from the dump. (Illegal I know, but I hated to see it go.) I think it will make great flooring for the Peram. I also located about forty feet of metal fencing to scavenge for the frame. Finally a decent reason for me to collect cast-offs! Shhhh. Don't tell The Great Leslie, it's all been added to my disaster of a garage.

Spare Perambulator Parts

Here's a couple of Perambulator parts we've got laying around:



The Controlling Interface doesn't add so well, and the blackjack option only barely works, but I think it may do for Navigatory Numerals in the pilot's berth or for other uses in the public chambers.






This Dirigible engine could be given a proper surface treatment - the gears are all in order. We may be able to separate the Gyrational unit from the Oscillatory base.



Are these parts the right models?

Kick-off-Meeting Notes

Okay already - after just a little pestering, here are my notes from our first meeting.

In attendance were: Todd & Lauren, Eric & Christen, & Eran.
Other confirmed camp-mates are: Matt, Professor Fate & The Great Leslie (J&N)
Total confirmed = 8
Potential camp-mates are: Doug +1-2, Tate, Josh & Sutay (Todd's brother & his wife), Mattthew (a.k.a. triple t)

10-12 people in camp is the preferred size so we'll have to discuss if additional people are interested.

Need a minimum of two vehicles on-site & so far that is accomplished with J&N & E&C. (T&L do not own a vehicle.)

THEME: The Green Man (Man's relationship to nature)
MOTIF: Steampunk
The theme and motif should relate in some way.

Discussion topics/Ideas:

• Visions can be personal or group related but we should discuss how this is reflected in financial and emotional investments.
• camp party on wednesday or thursday at BM
  
• cool neon
• music
• recreational sandwiches (Eggplant vs. Mushroom) (verbal explanation probably needed here)
• recreational fluids (BMJ) (verbal explanation probably needed here)
• uncle boogers bumper dumper toilet box or similar for Natalie (separate from camp)
  

TIMING:

• arrival & departure - first & last day issue with set-up and take-down/clean-up.
  
• Group needs to be aware of who plans to show up and leave when so tasks are equally divided. Previous year's issues of particular people working harder than others would like to be avoided.
• E&C would likely arrive Tuesday 8/28 and depart on Sunday or Monday
• T&L are at the mercy of a ride.
  
• Eran is likely in for the full week.
• In previous years we have stayed in Reno the night we leave the playa to cut down on the dirty ride back to the bay area. This is a good idea, trust us, and we plan to do it again this year.

What is our CAMP like?
3 main needs: SHADE, SHOWER/GREYWATER, KITCHEN (see below)

• Pillows & Blankets & futon mattresses - start collecting. Eran showed us his new blanket from his mother - a family portrait woven into the blanket - freaky, hilarious & wonderful all at once.
• Wooden futon frames ideal so we can burn them on-site.
• C drew a plan of what she's visualizing in terms of layout. Relationship to sun & to street is important.
• Our camp and our vehicle (parambulator) should look like they go together.
• comfortable and inviting
  
• 2 hammocks are available to incorporate
• firepit/chiminea?
  
• lanterns, LED & solar lights (E&C & T&L)
• generator (J&N)
• nature things
• full-length mirror (Eran)
• place to dress/costume storage/sharing - large tent? (Eran or J&N?)
• tent shade important

SHADE Structure - 2 designs were discussed

1. Carport (C)
2. Custom frame to lugnut design (J)

• The idea of utilizing both came up since we would all like to include shade for the tents as part of camp.
• fabric instead of tarps for shade - canvas and sail cloth were discussed and Eran has some sailing contacts he will chase. Eric knows of sail repair shop to contact as well.
• floor has to be tarp (E&C)
  

KITCHEN & FOOD:

• do we want one or two food groups? (teams of folks who plan/cook/buy food together)
• needs to be shaded & have tarp floor (E&C have tarps)
• coolers - need wet & dry coolers (E&C=1, T&L=1, need a couple more at least)
• no onion skins or garlic skins (should all be peeled prior)
  
• box wine good (avoid glass on playa)
  
• Lauren suggested better cheese than previous years.
  
• at least one vegetarian (almost vegan) so we should plan accordingly
  
• two stoves (Eran & E&C)
  
• Lauren brought up the idea of a jockey box since beer in cans is so waste-heavy & Eran jumped on that idea, something he's been thinking of making anyway and would keep after BM.
  
• paper plates & compostable untensils (L)
  
• kitchen & recycling/waste set-up w/ tables, milk-crates & zip-ties (E&C)
• water barrels (soda bottling plant re-use) need to acquire in bay area, fill in reno

SHOWER/GREYWATER:

• need sun showers (2 minimum)
• suggested size of footprint to be 2 pallets (not 1 as in previous years)
• suggested materials to be bamboo poles and mat as sides for air flow and rigidity
• needs to be designed & pre-fab as much as possible
• needs hooks/hanging place for towels
• needs shower caddy
• needs pully to raise and lower sun shower bags
• hair-wash station?
  
• black plastic (E&C)
• greywater needs some design attention (can/should be incorporated with Shower design)
• Lauren has some ideas/experience re:greywater
  

ART/IDEAS:

• Top hats
• making our trash into art
• apothecary box on parambulator?
• parambulator (BIG)
  
• scroll for drawing mounted to parambulator?
• flasks strapped to bodies
• art workshop session (Todd)
• rubber stamps (w/stamp pads this year)
• rocking chair (Eran) should do something as it rocks (a mister, perhaps "mister rocker")
• flux capaciter
• jacob's ladder
• save your corks! beaded curtains made from corks
• save your dryer lint - lint pillows, etc. (for you furry bellied boys, if you want to save your belly-button lint, you will have to make sure your pillow has your name on it)
  

FINANCES:

• approx. $200-300 each on camp expenditures? (trailer rental fees & associated gas to get infrastructure on-site, water, shade, shower, kitchen, general infrastructure - preferrably to include shared art & vehicle, etc - needs more discussion in next meeting when we really dig into the parambulator ideas)
• $100 each for food (max) [we've done previous years on $80 each for food/booze, etc.]
• not including ticket prices
  

NEXT MEETING:
Friday Feb 9th - location TBD
Idea - watch a steampunk theme movie at next meeting.

Awesome lights for bikes

I found this on a site and thought it would be great for a playa bicycle at night. The biggest problem I see is keeping the bike at a constant speed. Either 15 mph,10mph, or 7mph depending on the setup. Apparently you can use any image. Cool stuff.

Steampunk all around

Trader Joe's grocery bags have been sporting a steampunk theme lately...once you get fixated on a motif, it starts popping up everywhere. Apparently, the Fearless Flyer Special Collector's Edition is full of steampunky cartoons, but I can't seem to find it for download anywhere. I was curious to see if the official site had any more inspiration for us (and Professor Fate was nagging me to come up with a reason to make a post on this blog) so I checked it out. Alas, no steampunk. Just lots of tiki huts and palm trees.