Comments on: Who’s My Burning Man Representative? http://catcubed.com/2007/09/05/whos-my-burning-man-representative/ web design, online health care, art, brains, minds, and inbetween Tue, 16 Mar 2010 07:30:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Joseph Dunphy http://catcubed.com/2007/09/05/whos-my-burning-man-representative/comment-page-1/#comment-1109 Joseph Dunphy Fri, 28 Dec 2007 23:11:33 +0000 http://catcubed.com/2007/09/05/whos-my-burning-man-representative/#comment-1109 "In any case, did you see the damned postcard they sent out? " No, I didn't. I can't really picture myself being on BMORG's Christmas list anytime soon. :) “In any case, did you see the damned postcard they sent out? ”

No, I didn’t. I can’t really picture myself being on BMORG’s Christmas list anytime soon. :)

]]> By: Colin http://catcubed.com/2007/09/05/whos-my-burning-man-representative/comment-page-1/#comment-1079 Colin Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:21:10 +0000 http://catcubed.com/2007/09/05/whos-my-burning-man-representative/#comment-1079 Sure the theme is an invite for social criticism of America, but then again so is life and CNN and the presidental campaign. As I've already stated I find political art on the playa to be the worst playa art. Don't get me wrong I like some art with a political message and have even done my fair share of political art. However, the playa is a bad environment for political art. The environment and audience invites contemplation of self and humanity and relationships and philosophy. I've already met a couple people who are really excited about this theme -- they are both insipid in the most obnoxiously politically niave way imaginable. Really a playa dominated by political art of that stripe. In any case, did you see the damned postcard they sent out? If that doesn't fill you with WTF were they thinking dread then you've got a strong stomach. Sure the theme is an invite for social criticism of America, but then again so is life and CNN and the presidental campaign. As I’ve already stated I find political art on the playa to be the worst playa art. Don’t get me wrong I like some art with a political message and have even done my fair share of political art. However, the playa is a bad environment for political art. The environment and audience invites contemplation of self and humanity and relationships and philosophy.

I’ve already met a couple people who are really excited about this theme — they are both insipid in the most obnoxiously politically niave way imaginable. Really a playa dominated by political art of that stripe.

In any case, did you see the damned postcard they sent out? If that doesn’t fill you with WTF were they thinking dread then you’ve got a strong stomach.

]]> By: Joseph Dunphy http://catcubed.com/2007/09/05/whos-my-burning-man-representative/comment-page-1/#comment-1078 Joseph Dunphy Fri, 21 Dec 2007 08:07:57 +0000 http://catcubed.com/2007/09/05/whos-my-burning-man-representative/#comment-1078 You write: <i>"But no all we get is even worse themes such as next year’s American Dream, which has to be the most reprehensible themes yet. Obviously, the new theme doesn’t represent the hordes of international burners,"</i> I don't know about that. Does one have to belong to a society in order to have thoughts about it? Quoting the theme: <i>"Ask yourself, instead, a more immediate question. What has America achieved that you admire or feel proud of? What has it done or failed to do that makes you feel dismayed?"</i> This doesn't read so much as a call to flag waving as it does to an invitation to engage in social criticism. Perhaps you have judged BMOrg too harshly in this case. You write:

“But no all we get is even worse themes such as next year‚Äôs American Dream, which has to be the most reprehensible themes yet. Obviously, the new theme doesn‚Äôt represent the hordes of international burners,”

I don’t know about that. Does one have to belong to a society in order to have thoughts about it?

Quoting the theme:

“Ask yourself, instead, a more immediate question. What has America achieved that you admire or feel proud of? What has it done or failed to do that makes you feel dismayed?”

This doesn’t read so much as a call to flag waving as it does to an invitation to engage in social criticism. Perhaps you have judged BMOrg too harshly in this case.

]]> By: Colin http://catcubed.com/2007/09/05/whos-my-burning-man-representative/comment-page-1/#comment-773 Colin Tue, 11 Sep 2007 06:21:14 +0000 http://catcubed.com/2007/09/05/whos-my-burning-man-representative/#comment-773 Ugh yes the event will likely see many flag burnings, and Bush burnings, etc. etc.. However, I am one of those burners who go to escape out from the politics and flags I live under. While I may agree with the sentiment and even occasionally make political art myself, I don't see Burning Man as a good place for such art. Often I find the worst playa art is the political art. The playa seems to be a better location for art about culture, or ideas, or community, or emotion, or beauty, rather than crass politics. For instance, Crude Awakening was one of the most awe inspiring pieces on the playa in 2008. However, at least for me, it was the scale, the amazing engineering, and the pyrotechnics that captured me -- rather than the political message, which I found shallow and unilluminating. Ugh yes the event will likely see many flag burnings, and Bush burnings, etc. etc.. However, I am one of those burners who go to escape out from the politics and flags I live under.

While I may agree with the sentiment and even occasionally make political art myself, I don’t see Burning Man as a good place for such art. Often I find the worst playa art is the political art. The playa seems to be a better location for art about culture, or ideas, or community, or emotion, or beauty, rather than crass politics.

For instance, Crude Awakening was one of the most awe inspiring pieces on the playa in 2008. However, at least for me, it was the scale, the amazing engineering, and the pyrotechnics that captured me — rather than the political message, which I found shallow and unilluminating.

]]> By: mullingitover http://catcubed.com/2007/09/05/whos-my-burning-man-representative/comment-page-1/#comment-771 mullingitover Tue, 11 Sep 2007 00:29:06 +0000 http://catcubed.com/2007/09/05/whos-my-burning-man-representative/#comment-771 You make great points about Addis. As for next year's theme: I think, given the demographics, that the theme will be the most ironic ever. Think of how many flags are going to burn... You make great points about Addis.

As for next year’s theme: I think, given the demographics, that the theme will be the most ironic ever. Think of how many flags are going to burn…

]]> By: Mayhem http://catcubed.com/2007/09/05/whos-my-burning-man-representative/comment-page-1/#comment-738 Mayhem Fri, 07 Sep 2007 01:48:05 +0000 http://catcubed.com/2007/09/05/whos-my-burning-man-representative/#comment-738 Colin, Sorry to miss ya on the playa and thanks for your thoughts. I posted my thougts on the matter yesterday: http://mayhem-chaos.net/blog/archives/001144.html I'm excited for next year. :) Colin,

Sorry to miss ya on the playa and thanks for your thoughts. I posted my thougts on the matter yesterday:

http://mayhem-chaos.net/blog/archives/001144.html

I’m excited for next year. :)

]]> By: Nina Rawkstah http://catcubed.com/2007/09/05/whos-my-burning-man-representative/comment-page-1/#comment-734 Nina Rawkstah Thu, 06 Sep 2007 19:15:32 +0000 http://catcubed.com/2007/09/05/whos-my-burning-man-representative/#comment-734 the conversations being had because of the early burn have been the most passionate and interesting I've seen since I became aware of the event (1999) and attended (2001 - 2006). I can't help but feel, this is a good thing. thank you for taking the time to share some of the positives. the inspiration that spawned all the art at floating world in 2002 helped make 2003 my absolute favorite year! the conversations being had because of the early burn have been the most passionate and interesting I’ve seen since I became aware of the event (1999) and attended (2001 – 2006). I can’t help but feel, this is a good thing.

thank you for taking the time to share some of the positives.

the inspiration that spawned all the art at floating world in 2002 helped make 2003 my absolute favorite year!

]]> By: Burning Man Set on Fire Early Due To Arson | Laughing Squid http://catcubed.com/2007/09/05/whos-my-burning-man-representative/comment-page-1/#comment-729 Burning Man Set on Fire Early Due To Arson | Laughing Squid Thu, 06 Sep 2007 03:08:33 +0000 http://catcubed.com/2007/09/05/whos-my-burning-man-representative/#comment-729 [...] “Who’s My Burning Man Representative?” Colin Fahrion, CatCubed [...] [...] “Who’s My Burning Man Representative?” Colin Fahrion, CatCubed [...]

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