Thursday, September 13, 2007

DOTA Presents...










Our campmate, Carter Emmart, director of the Hayden Planetarium in NYC presented Uniview in our dome this year.
scaling the universe














This software is amazing. Carter "flies" around the earth, using a direct link with NASA satellites, and can fly down through the atmosphere to almost any place on earth. He has a way of demonstrating the majesty and tender fragility of our home planet. To go on a trip with Cater is to realize how small we truly are, and at the same time, how much damage we can truly inflict. His goal is to present this software to children all over the world, so they may see their own homes in relation to the whole of the Earth.

We constructed a screen which we installed inside the dome, and were able to project Carter's software nightly. The presentation, accompanied by Bach concerto's, soon became a favorite haven for the weary and curious who rested their heads on Cameron's giant stuffed vine and leaves. We also screened silent films, anime and visually stunning cinema such as Baraka and Koyaaniquatsi.

Unfortunately the winds and dust finally ripped our screen and clogged the DVD player, but the computer and projector survived splendidly and we hope to renew the projections next year. No where else on the playa could you find anything like this and it was with great pride that we brought Carter's gift to Black Rock City.

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Dave's Dome















Our 30 foot dome was made in 2003 by our dear departed brother Dave Kennedy, one of the most amazing souls ever to grace this earth. Dave had the amazing ability to know what you need and have it in his hand before you even realized that you needed it. You could say, "Wow, my double helix 2.47 cm reverse slide ratchet bolt just busted" and you would turn around to cry and there would be Dave, holding it in his hand. "Hey. I made one yesterday, you know, just in case we needed it." No lie!
Well, I had the honor of adorning and decorating the dome this year, along with my boyfriend. We have never done this kind of fabric installation before, and believe me, it's harder than it looks. Never the less, we got it done and it doesn't look half bad. I hope you liked it Dave!!! xoxoxoo
Here's another lovely DOTA kite in the sky... with dust storm in the background of course!

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

Rainbow Day

Here's a fun short video by Joel of the dust storm coming in ...
windy kites
You can see how fast it happens. Our friend Tim's amazing cursor kite is not made for these kinds of heavy winds.
After the storm a double rainbow appeared. Terry and I climbed to the top of the scaffolding.
Our friend Fish is standing on his RV....














Taking photos of us....




























While we are all trying to grab photos of this...














What great memories! ;-)

Friday, September 7, 2007

A Harsh Mistress

Burning Man 2007 was grueling, ecstatic, harsh, amazing, exhausting and rewarding. My fave moments were watching the eclipse then seeing the Man burn. I was so happy to see it happen finally. Finally someone got the balls to torch Disney Man and send the organizers a message of our discontent at the direction the festival is going in. I hope they dont' procecute. After all, isn't this kind of thing what Burning Man is supposed to be about???
Being able to be with my playa family is the best thing about spending a week in 110 degrees. I love all my campmates and being with them is an absolute gift .
The double rainbow after the 3rd day of white-out dust storms was a sweet and cherished reward.
And teaching rape/sexual assault awareness classes all over the city was both a personal accomplishment and a very emotional experience.
It was a wonderful amazing year and I can't wait until next year to do it all again!
Building camp:































Bicycle sculpture at Center Camp made of unclaimed lost bikes from years past.














Dancing at the opening ceremonies













































Ember and Crimson Rose lighting the inaugural torch by using a mirror to focus the rays of the sun




















Looking out of our dome towards the playa














Our camp















Looking through Virginia Linder's sculpture "Passages" to our tori gate and dome



















Approaching dust storm














It's here! White-out conditions














Securing the camp during storms














A beautiful reward














Best friends














We were standing on top of this 100 foot tall "oil derrick"



















The show before blowing the derrick up














There she blows!