| In the News for 2010
Feeding the Artists
By Lonestoner
www.feedtheartists.net
"Food is the next big art form on the Playa."
Since 2007, the Feed the Artists program has been living up to its name, providing gourmet meals
and relaxing ambiance to the hardworking individuals who arrive in the Black Rock Desert a week or more before the event to create the art that blows our chemically enhanced minds each year.
It started when Keith “Colonel Angus” Rinzler had lunch with his friend and well-known Burning
Man artist, Zach Coffin. As Burners often do, they talked about Burning Man, and in the course of the
conversation Zach mentioned the fact that Burning Man artists work so hard that food is more often than not an afterthought. Colonel Angus thought that was bullshit and wanted to do something about it, so he called his buddy Jean-Pierre "Chef JP" Weingarten, and the rest is [BM] history.
Nearing its fourth year, Feed the Artists has successfully served many meals to Burning Man artists
and their crew members (and one lucky Gate volunteer who was just in the right place at the right time), in addition to coordinating meals served by a great many generous theme camps.
In its inaugural year, FtA fed three artists groups on three nights; the final night saw Larry Harvey
and Lady Bee amongst the diners. In 2008, Feed the Artists served meals, including their first official
breakfast, to approximately 650 people, and six theme camps fed an additional seventy-five people. This year, FtA fed around four hundred, but arranged for an astonishing thirty-five theme camps to feed
approximately six-hundred and fifty people. Every single funded artist and their crew members (including the hardworking temple crew) and many non-funded but still hungry artists and crew members were gifted a meal, and most enjoyed two or three. Clearly, the Feed the Artists program is a HUGE success.
Although FtA stresses to the theme camps that participate in the program that it's all about appreciation and collaboration, and what, specifically they serve is less important, they use their own now famous dinners to set an example and push the envelope of “food as art” on the Playa. According to Colonel Angus, “our dinners are a means to an end, not an end unto themselves Of course they serve as a showcase of our own artistic talents when it comes to food on the Playa and a deep expression of appreciation for the artists and others who are our guests, but even more importantly, they serve as an example to all other theme camps of what is possible. If we can serve THAT kind of food, in THAT kind of environment, to THAT many people, in other words, then how hard would it be for YOU, Mr. Theme Camp, to invite an artist group of ten people over for dinner one or more nights? That really is our raison d'etre.”
And push the envelope may be an understatement. This year's entertainment ranged from a harpist and
violinist, to a magician, to an 8x20 vinyl "art mural" that provided an opportunity for artistic expression and interaction and decorated the dining area of Entheon Village throughout the event. Not to mention the seventy foot sky bucket where diners were treated to champagne and a bird’s eye view of our beautiful and beloved Black Rock City. Then there was the Mystery Tent. I can't tell you anymore about it because hey, it's a mystery, but rest assured everyone leaving the Mystery Tent did so with an evil smile. But you don't have to take my word for it! Here's what others have to say about Feed the Artists:
-"I'm Bryan Tedrick, maker of the "Portal of Evolution". My small crew (4 men) enjoyed 3 great
meals this year. Not only was the food outstanding, but the people were great too. In fact, we are now
considered "family" by one camp. It’s like we joined tribes and are related. The time spent eating and
talking helps people get beyond casual chit chat. I found the generosity wonderful and I think they felt our genuine appreciation. How else to overcome barriers? Tough to meet people cold. The food idea is perfect for us and we hope it continues."
-"I was on Playa almost 2 weeks early and was working on Shiva Vista/fire conclave. I attended two
FtA dinners and we also hosted one. The one we hosted we had the Burninator guys over for some
spaghetti, nothing fancy, but was a great opportunity to talk shop as we have similar fire pieces. But later we went to a dinner hosted by Entheon village. I must tell you it was the most amazing dinner I have ever attended, anywhere. Upon entering their shaded dining area we were offered a lavender spritz. We mingled with the people there (but our group was so large we were most of the people) as they served us wine. A blinky necklace was passed on with a wink. When you got the necklace around your neck you were whisked away into a room where you were served smoke, vodka, and received a wonderful hand massage (from a beautiful woman) as a scantily clad woman belly danced for us. The massage was a godsend after days of hard work. The dinner itself was very tasty and had several courses. They even gave us a bottle of wine. Their kitchen facilities there were completely amazing. I have never felt so pampered in my life. I was very impressed with the whole thing. I loved the idea. We relayed our stories to our theme camp later (Lutre Village) and they liked the idea and might be willing to host a dinner. I also loved the pendant (medallion) we received. Feed the Artists is definitely something I'd like to see grow and I am willing to help it do so." -Lee Williams(aka Snowlover)
-"I was at BM as part of the Temple crew this year and we were thrilled to get fed by the people at
Sacred Spaces Village. I'm sure it was a challenge to find someone willing to feed a crew our size--there had to be at least 70 of us--but they were incredibly gracious and served us a hell of a meal. So... my feedback is very, very positive." -Ira Weinschel
Feed the Artists co-founder Keith "Colonel Angus" Rinzler was kind enough to
grant my request for an interview, here's some of what he had to say about FtA:
Lonestoner: How long have you been going to Burning Man, and what was your first impression?
Colonel Angus: This year was my fifth year. My first year, like most people, I was blown away. I wasn't
really with a camp, just a group of friends. I knew that for my second year I wanted to be a part of a camp, probably a large camp, and I wanted to work, to contribute in some way.
LS: How does one go about volunteering to work with FtA?
CA: Anyone interested in volunteering should start with our website. There are many ways to get involved, let us know what you're good at and we'll try to accommodate you. Because of the difficulty of organizing volunteers on the Playa, we do ask that you be willing to participate in FtA planning, which happens for many months prior to Burning Man.
LS: Who came up with your logo, and the slogan "Feed the Artists, Burn the Food?"
CA: The "Feed the Artists" part of the slogan was mine and Chef JP added the "Burn the Food" part. For the logo, I worked with a designer friend and went through more iterations that I care to admit.
LS: How crazy are the logistics for what you guys do? It seems like a lot of work...
CA: The logistics are pretty crazy; it's a lot of coordinating. In January we start planning for the year ahead and we have an annual FtA planning retreat during the Fourth of JuPlaya event. With enough of the right people, you can get anything done.
LS: If you don't mind me asking, who pays for all this shit?
CA: We are a small, geographically diverse group so holding large fundraisers is difficult. The bulk of it comes from a few large donors, who wish to remain anonymous, but we wouldn't be able to do what we do if it weren't for the numerous small donations we get through our website. Donations are gladly accepted and greatly appreciated. www.feedtheartists.net
LS: Tell us about some of your FtA moments, you must have some good stories.
CA: It's all good, and while gifting isn't the reason we do what we do, we have received some fun and interesting “payback” from some of the artists groups. The biggest gift is just getting to know and hang out with some of the amazing artists, which I never seem to be able to do as much as I'd like. This year a group of them threatened to kidnap me, just to make sure we got quality time together. It never happened, but there's always next year.
Chef Jean Pierre Weingarten is a Feed the Artists co-founder, “Chef Du Cuisine,” and kitchen co-coordinator for Entheon Village.
At Burning Man 2006, I erected a “restaurant” at the Grand Hotel at Ashram Galactica—a hotel
theme camp—where I served several intimate meals for 15 guests, inside a gloriously ornate Mongolian-crafted ger (yurt). I experienced a new facet of the hospitality industry that I never realized existed in all my 20-plus years in the biz: providing my talents, energy and time to cooking meals out of service to others, without remunerations and with a greater sense of appreciation for what was offered. During a time when I felt stagnant with professional cooking, and tired of the profit-driven environment with which I had been immersed, I felt refreshed and fired up about this type of volunteerism and participation upon my return to the Default.
So it was synchronous that at the end of the Burn week that same year, Keith “Colonel Angus”
Rinzler paid me a visit in my carport-turned-kitchen. They had heard about the Ashram and what we had accomplished, and wanted to find out more concerning our restaurant. Little did I know that this marked the beginning of FtA, and a couple of months later, Keith and I corresponded through emails and phone conversations about an idea he had. He wanted me to be a part of a simple, yet powerful endeavor: gifting Burning Man-funded artists and their crews on the Playa with nourishment and camaraderie during their time of setting up and installing their art works during pre-event week. He said that the concept dovetailed beautifully with the guiding principles of Burning Man such as Communal Effort and Immediacy. He called it Feed The Artists and in 2007, with the advocacy and support of Christine “LadyBee” Kristen—then Art Curator for BMORG—we at Ashram Galactica hosted the first Feed the Artists dinners for three different artists groups, on three different nights during the pre-event week. I provided a buffet menu that nurtured and nourished our guests. A new era was born.
Cooking on the Playa is quite a challenge. Dust, of course, is the main bug-a-boo with which to
contend, and ensuring that the kitchen setup is as dust-proof as possible is one of the most important
considerations. The menus I created for the FtA dinners reflected the need to make sure that the artists we fed were well nourished, so that they could continue their setup with more energy; especially in the harsh environment of the Black Rock desert. I utilized ingredients that work well in the desert arena: high protein, low carbohydrates menu items, coconut water, dried nuts and fruit, etc. I often dipped into the cuisines from around the world and varied styles to best suit Black Rock: Thai, Moroccan, Spanish, California, vegetarian and vegan. In 08 and 09 we were gifted—respectively—fresh Alaskan salmon
from Robby “Ahab” Lebovic, a salmon fisherman, and albacore tuna from the Tuna Guys.
The following is the last menu—where stoned fruit was the theme—we
offered on Saturday, August 29, 2009:
“stoned”
nibblies
-lavash with goat cheese, dried apricots, wilted spinach and red bell peppers
soup
-chilled carrot-honey
main course
-grilled tuna with a nectarine salsa, blue lake green beans, onion confit
salad
-English cucumbers and heirloom tomatoes with a plucot dressing
dessert
-flourless chocolate cake with a dark rum, dark chocolate sauce and peach purée
It was amazing to me how people really dug what we were creating, and the outpouring of help,
ingredients and sheer appreciation made all the hard work worth it. No doubt there.
This year was perhaps the most challenging one for me, in that not only was I responsible for
planning, cooking and overseeing the FtA dinners, but I also volunteered to be the kitchen coordinator for Entheon Village (our FtA hosts for the second year) during the week of the Burn, where I
would make sure that over 277 campers were fed brunch and dinner, for 7 days. As the Colonel has stated, we started in January with conference calls, menu and event planning, coordinating with volunteers, vendors and purveyors, etc., and for me, I did double duty, because I also put on my EV chef’s toque and helped to create a streamlined operation for the kitchen.
This is my last year with FtA, as we have achieved our goal of making FtA known and upheld to and
from the good people of BRC. Future theme camps and artists groups will continue this amazing gift we helped to shepherd at Burning Man. I am elated to have been a part of it.” -Chef JP
Mark Gibson, AKA Abo, self-described "Senior Kitchen Bitch" has been a part of FtA
since the beginning.
-"I met The Colonel in 2006 when he called me in N. Cal and asked if I was still showing my
Burning Man video that I had advertised as a public program in the local Mt Shasta Herald newspaper. He was traveling through the area and happened to see my announcement. He would only be passing
through that evening, and I was not screening the program that night. But when he expressed unusual
interest in seeing it, I invited him to my home to watch it (Burners always open their doors to other
Burners). He came, dined, watched the video, soaked with me in my hot tub, and stayed overnight in our guest room.
We all talked about how much we like to go early into BM. He called me back that following spring
and asked if I still wanted to get in early. “Hell yes” I replied. He told me about this food program he
dreamed up and that he needed a crew to go in early and feed the artists. My wife (who runs our photography business in my absence) was playing golf when he asked me if I could go the Wednesday of the pre-week (normally I went the Sat or Sunday). I was so excited that as soon as I hung up talking the the Colonel, I called her on her cell phone on the golf course and asked if it was OK with her that I went in very early this year to the burn for this new project. She agreed, so I immediately called the Colonel back and told him to count me in.
That first year we fed about 45 people in three different art crews. They reciprocated with favors to
us and we got to know them during the burn. Larry Harvey and the other BM major players came to the
diners, so we got to know them too. I worked as JP’s “Senior Kitchen Bitch” doing whatever the chef needed. We developed a little family crew of FtA, and have vested and shared other events during the year.
This past year’s program certainly was the most work, but it also was the most spectacular and rewarding." -Abo
The Yellow Bikes of Black Rock City
By Durgy
Since 2007, there has been a “Yellow Bike” share program in Black Rock City. These are bikes for all to use, and for none to own. If you follow the rules of the Yellow Bikes there will be plenty to go around, and the program will be a success.
The Yellow Bike you may ride (painted in a special, easily identifiable, and very expensive green aircraft paint NOT AVAILABLE AT WALMART with red stenciled letters “Yellow Bike”) is used for your one way transportation. It is not your bike. If you put a lock on it, the lock will be cut off. Do not alter the bike by painting over the words “Yellow Bike”, adding after market items (like colorful tape over the words “Yellow Bike”) or removing the instruction tag. If you find a Yellow Bike locked, contact a Ranger to arrange to have the lock cut off. For the sake of the other participants, please wear pants wh±en riding a Yellow Bike.
Having come from the Middle East to the playa in 2008 I was not able to bring a bike, and was excited to participate in the Yellow Bike program. One day I found myself at Center Camp and went looking through the bike rack for my ride home. There I saw a Yellow Bike that had the tag removed, and also colorful tape place strategically over its identifying stencil. I flipped the bike over on its handlebars and began to remove the tape. Part way through I heard someone from a little ways off say “hey dude that’s my bike”. I did not look up or engage him, but continued in my task. Someone who was with him, gave him the sage advice “let it go”. When finished bagging up the tape (MOOP!), I took a leisurely cruise home.
Another time on the Esplanade, I stopped in for a two minute visit to verify a fact for a news story. As I was walking back out of the camp, I saw someone picking up the Yellow Bike I rode in on. ØI was miffed feeling that I was on an important mission, and that I needed THAT bike. But I held my tongue and started walking. In less than a block I found a Yellow Bike, hopped on and continued on my way.
Two of the event principles encompassed in the Yellow Bike Program are “Participation” and “Communal Effort”. We are all challenged to uphold a radical participatory ethic, and our community values creative cooperation and collaboration. By using and not taking ownership of a particular Yellow Bike, one upholds that spirit of cooperation and promotes that creative, collaborative and radical participation that makes Black Rock City a better place.
The Survival Guide warns ominously that “there are always a few people who just don't ‘get it’.” It is your charge as a citizen and particpant to help instruct such folks (not just for Yellow Bikes, but for leave no trace, no spectating, unauthorized capture of images, ill-advised bØurning of things, etc.). “If you see someone acting irresponsibly, introduce yourself and speak up.” This would include helping people out who are misusing the Yellow Bike program by educating them.
Last year there were reports from Exodus of people leaving, or attempting to leave Black Rock City, with a Yellow Bike(s). Please be aware that this would be considered “theft” for which one could face a fine or jail. Whether the BMOrg will prosecute people stealing Yellow Bikes is not certain. Law enforcement is also aware of the Yellow Bike program, and it would not be a requirement for prosecution under theft laws of the State of Nevada for the BMOrg to press charges. What is certain is that it would be incredibly selfish and unneighborly to seek to take personal advantage of this gift to the community.
As long as eveyone cooperates, there will always be a Yellow Bike available when you want to ride one. Let go, trust and enjoy.
M-PYRE Strikes Back:
Back to Burner Roots
By RedNikki
M-PYRE Strikes Back, on July 17, 2010, is unusual among Burning Man regional events: it had no gate, no required entry fee and was completely open to the public. With more than 500 participants, this was the biggest M-PYRE to date. Its size, surfside location and rate of growth echo the early Baker Beach Burning Man events.
The event was held in Monterey, California about 90 miles south of San Francisco. The tiny city, with a population of 30,000, has hosted five regionals since 2007.
DJs spun from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. Participants picnicked, created and showed off art, swam, hooped, set up fire-dancing areas after dark, and explained the Burning Man philosophy to curious locals and the occasional reporter. After the city's 10 p.m. curfew on beach events, many participants went to the local East Village Coffee Lounge for an afterparty that continued until 2 a.m.
“There’s no boundaries on our event. There’s no gate. It’s completely open to the public,” said Jennie Kay, Monterey’s regional contact. “It’s the only [official] Burning Man event I know of…that’s suggested donation only,” she added. “That’s the true gift of what this community can provide.”
M-PYRE’s beach burns began with an unofficial beach party that succeeded beyond anyone’s expectations. “We expected about 30 people and 150 showed up,” said Kay. Like the famous final Baker Beach burn in 1989, the police arrived to break up the event – but the way they handled it was very different from the methods of the San Francisco police 21 years ago. According to Kay, when the cops arrived they said “This is the biggest party we’ve ever busted on the beach, and it’s also the cleanest party we’ve ever busted on the beach. If we weren’t working, we’d be here right now.”
Because there was no permit or insurance, the police were required to shut the event down; however, because the crowd was so well-behaved, they didn’t write tickets or levy fines. “They were really nice about the whole thing,” Kay said.
Two days later, Kay called the police and said, “Thank you for your courtesy in not ticketing us. Now what do we do to make it legal?” Since then, every event has run smoothly. Because participants leave the beach cleaner than when they arrived, the city has even gone out of its way to expedite the permitting process. “We’ve never had a police incident,” said Kay.
M-PYRE website: www.mpyreburn.com
DRAGONS AT A BURN EVENT
By Mehl Renner
Ignus, The Dragon of Mysteria, produced by the Green Man Camp, was the recipient of a creativity grant award at the 2010 Transformus regional burn event in North Carolina. Clad in Mardi-gras colors (mostly green) Ignus came alive for the first time as the main feature in a pre-burn parade. Four individuals were required to operate the dragon that had lights, a mouth opening and closing and CO2 smoke blowing out of its nostrils.
Three people danced inside Ignus, and a lady jester waved its tail. Since “he” was dressed in rip stop nylon, his fire was allegorical. Ignus was joined in the parade by green men, green ladies, a fire breather, drummers, and Celtic penny whistlers. The Green Man puppet – a giant puppet which first debuted in 2009 and takes three people to operate - also joined in the parade with his dragon brother.
Dragons are the most persistent of the elementals to have curled their way out of the universal unconscious. Though they have come into being in many different corners of the world, they are surprisingly alike in their appearance and what they can do. The family of the horned serpent of the bible, the ancient Greeks, and the Amerindians keeps adding members from talking dragons in Tolkein books to ‘Avatar’.
Their origins probably stem from our innate awareness of the lines of power in the earth. In England and Europe they haunt the ley lines. The Chinese called them Dragon lines, and Native Americans, as well as Druids, traveled along them, and made monuments at their crossroads. Images brought to the surface by Shaman were so appealing to their audience that they were accepted, enlarged in the imagination of the tribe and concretized with visible images.
We invite dragons to our most important festivals - New Years, Beltane, festivals of light, and for seasonal change. Dragons play for the sake of play, and help us to realize that play and creativity are our most sacred activities. They are our allies, and we glory in their power, which becomes ours by association. They help us to remember the festivals we hold in our minds. When we dance with them in the company of our friends, we perceive the exhilaration of the moment to be never ending. Chemistry in a caldron of celebration indeed!
It seems appropriate that dragons manifest at burn events, where their attributes can be appreciated, their presence will evoke joy, and connect us to the countless dragons past and present at festivals across the world and centuries. People who come to a burn expect to experience change within them. Perhaps Ignus can lead us on a dance into the rampant imagination.
The Green Man Camp was established at Transformus 2009 and pays homage to the 2007 Burning Green Man theme. They are an earth friendly group with a concern about our environment and otherwise enjoy fun in the sun. They are flower children of the sixties and soilmates. Ya dig?
Critical Massive PDF Editions 2009
Number 1
Number 2
Archive of Previous Stories2009 Black Rock Beacon PDF Files
Gate Monday edition 2009
Tuesday 2009
Wednesday 2009
Thursday 2009
Saturday 2009
Exodus 2009
Other 2009 Strories
Gray-B-Gone
Evilution
Evolution at the 4th of Juplya at Frog Pond 2009
Playa Future Past part 1
Playa Future Past part 2
Playa Future Past part 3
Playa Future Past part 4
Altered State to New York State
Burned Out
|
