ePlaya

Hello all. I'm a virgin burner - but also an artist that would love to camp with someone doing a large scale art installation or immersive theatre experience. I manage the public art program for my city, so the bigger the better. We're coming all the way from Alabama, and as far as I know, no local groups are accessible to support so this would mostly be out during the event. (Though depending on the design we might design/fabricate elements and ship out to either our artist team or to the Southern California base where we are driving from with my brother).

I'd be traveling with my beau who is also an artist/fabricator and we'd love to find a camp with artists that we can collaborate with or at least support with boots-on-the-ground labor so that we learn about art installation processes out on the playa. Assuming we vibe with the experience as much as we expect to we hope to come back in the future with art installation plans of our own, but this first time we'd rather connect with someone in a support role. I'm also an experienced camper (Girl Scout leader of 15 years) so no hand-holding needed and while big central supports systems like a kitchen or shower would be nice, it's definitely not necessary.

Also a right-match camp is not too wild. We are both chill people and introverts who need our downtime.

Thanks!

Welcome to ePlaya and your first dusty campout!

Try https://regionals.burningman.org/. Burners may be nearer than you think! The regionals often know of nearby art projects and regionals are a good way to find a camp.

Send a note of introduction to the Artery email, look through the Burning Man art staff and do the same. Burning Man may be interested in networking with public art people.

You probably saw the lists of art honoraria by year going back in time to get a feel for playa art selected for central funding. I believe the temple crew always needs people and they may fabricate components in Reno pre-the burn. Reno itself has discovered collecting burner art is part of their "city brand." So schedule to meet the Reno public art people. Consider scheduling your transportation to help disassemble an art project or your prospective camp.

Volunteering at the Artery is good experience, but generally departments don't schedule first year burners for advance shifts.

If you have not seen the documentation, the Smithsonian Burning Man art show is an interesting perspective.

Thank you so much for the response!

As for regionals, already looked there and no, nothing was listed locally here in Alabama.

I did reach out to the Artery with an introduction (after the volunteer form stated no first timers - no exceptions - which was disappointing as I would have LOVED to do that given my profession) and got a lovely response from someone sent me to the regional listings again lol.

I did look at the honoraria and even sent a few emails to contacts of projects that looked interesting to me to see if those same artists were planning on any builds this year - so far no response.

I went to a Burning Man Makers Discord, and some nice folks there directed me here, so here I am.

The Temple is an interesting thought. I'll look into that - I just assumed that was more centrally organized and not really open to far afield first-timers.

Birmingham is likely the one place that may have a community going. No knowing how fresh or stale unless you reach out.

Depending on how far in advance you make it to SoCal, that environment is rich with contributions to big art on The Playa. Maybe poke around that pool a bit.

If all else fails, plenty of volunteer opportunities when you get to the dust even if you are camping solo. It’s quite immersive for the motivated and bold participants

Good luck.