ePlaya

We are very excited to be returning for 2014 - look for us in the vicnity of 7:45 and Cinnamon!

Any idea on where you would like to be placed? Mebbe not like last year, as a late-night hangout for a sound camp........

We had a couple great years at Esplanade, and our neighbors have been awesome, but this year we will likely be aiming for someplace in the 7:30 zone.

Last year it was a bit noisy around Eridu Society. I did like it when they played the sound track from Conan the Barbarian on burn night though.

Wait, I thought that was you?

It was the guys across the street. I came out to listen.

Plans are firming up, it looks like we'll be back with more pickles, lemonade, and other daytime tributes... and we'll have a few other surprises as well. Meanwhile, I've been having fun tinkering around in a 3D design app I use, building new parts and models for this year's camp (click on the image below to see a higher resolution version, if you'd like).

Great renders of a great solution. Some questions... How are you producing these elements (CNC, hand-cutting)? How are you sealing the unpainted components?

trilobyte wrote:We had a couple great years at Esplanade, and our neighbors have been awesome, but this year we will likely be aiming for someplace in the 7:30 zone.

7:30 is a great area! Lots of fun camps. They are just about to gear up their FB page.

It's a structure we've already built and brought to the playa. While I am redesigning some components of the project, what I meant by new parts and models was that I'd re-made the parts and models in my 3D app. Last years models worked out well, but were a bit more crude with squared off edges and very simple textures - and the modeling for our camp's shade structures and other back-end stuff was very basic.

All the slotted wood components are CNC cut and then the edges are finished and rounded with another router by hand. Once finished, they get a few coats of a water-based poly-coat. It makes for much easier cleanup of brushes and drips at our workspace, and once dry it's a great seal.

Thanks for the tip, Dr Helix - we love that part of the city too

After redesigning the 3D models of existing parts, as well as creating some new parts designs for internal supports, I've gotten most of the Ziggurati installation re-built. The new components and models are a lot more complex and detailed (last year's model came in at 1.1 million polygons, this one isn't finished yet and has over 6.5 million polygons) - the net result is that it takes more processing power to render each frame, but the resulting images look pretty good. Here's a wide-shot of our frontage (click on it to see in higher resolution)...



The wall displays on either side will have art in them on the playa. The cuneiform at the bottom right of the image translates to read "Burning Man 2014" We'll have translations for all the cuneiform we're using at the camp for people to check out if they're interested.



And then the shot above shows detail of the top of the ziggurat and the altar space (click the pic to embiggen).

In a tent city, even ten feet off the ground is a bit like being on top of a skyscraper - the top of the ziggurat makes for a great observation deck, as well as a comfortable and shady spot to relax in the heat of the day. We'll be offering tributes of snacks and refreshments periodically throughout each day of the week to help sustain weary travelers. If you're in the neighborhood, look for the flags and feel free to stop by.

Looks really cool!
I will definitely stop by.

Me too! Looks so cool.

Freshly rendered... here's a shot showing one of the curio carts out in front in the morning, with the ziggurat in the background.



We'll be using the carts to show off some smaller art pieces, as well as for our rubber stamp bar (and other tributes and gifts throughout the week)...

I found you another brain...

Thanks, but the Fertile Minds Idea Deli was a project we did in 2012.

Very impressive! Who made the red fittings to lock it all together? Great idea, cant wait to see it.

Thanks - I designed all the parts.

That looks bad ass. I for sure want to see it...

trilobyte wrote:Thanks - I designed all the parts.

Nicely done! Can't wait to wait to experience it. keep up the great work!

I'm very pleased to announce that Eridu Society has been placed - you can find us on Cinnamon between 7:30 & 8:00!!!



We'll be back with our rubber stamp bar as well as serving pickles or lemonade at various times throughout the week, as well as a few other surprises. Check out a few renders of what we'll look like this year...













See you on the playa!

This is beautiful.

It's getting to be that time of year, and all the pieces are starting to come together...


More fun with CNC machines...


Yet another run for lumber and materials...

New internal supports for the ziggurat...


Time to make the bike racks...

Partially assembled and ready for transport...

Production begins on new additions to our rubber stamp bar...


We've been busy, but holy crap there's still so much to do! We can't wait to see you out there, we'll be at 7:45 & Cinnamon

Damn! I'm definitely going to visit - looks outstanding!

Wow,
Trilo!
Beautiful. Love the camels on magic carpets.

Wanna paint one??

Thanks, Elorrum! Osc, you paint your own! On-playa, the camels will have a more unique look. Similar to the Cow Parade installation that's been in several cities around the world, each of these will be decorated by different artists. Here's a sneak peak of one of them, along with the bike rack panels I finished painting today.

Can't wait to see all this, Trilo! As usual, GREAT setup!

Trilo,

You are so damn fancy! I love it!