No Feathers?!

Post by **Elderberry** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 12:00 pm

A dancer from San Francisco who calls herself Ka appeared at Burning Man 2012 in a breathtaking full-body outfit made almost entirely of feathers.
Here are some more really great photos. No really.http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/pic ... 2-20120905

img-3172-1346873382.jpg

maladroit · Post by **maladroit** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 12:56 pm

Fucking LOL.

Wow.

Post by **AntiM** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 12:59 pm

You should read her "I have no shame" rebuttal to the FB criticism on her website. Triple fucking wow.

She gives us and the entire event a feathered finger. And not the good kind.

strangeloop · Post by **strangeloop** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 1:17 pm

What's that link?

stew · Post by **stew** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 5:36 pm

Ooh, I would have loved to meet her in my gate shift.

pink · Post by **pink** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 5:59 pm

I read it. Basically, 'my feathers are special'. And 'I pick up any that fall'. What about the bits you don't see fall, bitch? I was mooping up fucking feather bits all morning on Tuesday. I despise self righteous people who assured me when I called them on their feathers on why the ban just didn't pertain to them. Probably dump their grey water on the playa too.

Tinkerbell · Post by **Tinkerbell** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 8:24 pm

I can understand both sides. She has a point with the plastic that gets burnt. It is horrible how much people don't filter out their garbage into the burning fires. Those toxins are horrible for our atmosphere. As for the feathers, we are a LEAVE NO TRACE. It is impossible to catch all the FIBERS of the feathers that fall off. Yes the feathers are bad but easy to grab, but those tiny little flurries from feathers that roll around in the dust. Yes they collect along the side of the lake bed and it builds up. It all makes an impact. I'm against the feathers and the burning of plastic. AMEN

junglesmacks · Post by **junglesmacks** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 8:38 pm

Regardless of her reasoning, it also has to do with the respect of the community and the principles/rules that have been laid down. The rules are: NO FEATHERS. I don't care how your crystal sucking namaste feather dance may align the chakras of my hemorrhoids, they're fucking against the rules.

Y punto.

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Fri Sep 07, 2012 8:43 pm

Please move this to a 2012 aftermath forum.

Candybox · Post by **Candybox** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 12:41 am

Tinkerbell wrote:I can understand both sides. She has a point with the plastic that gets burnt. It is horrible how much people don't filter out their garbage into the burning fires. Those toxins are horrible for our atmosphere. As for the feathers, we are a LEAVE NO TRACE. It is impossible to catch all the FIBERS of the feathers that fall off. Yes the feathers are bad but easy to grab, but those tiny little flurries from feathers that roll around in the dust. Yes they collect along the side of the lake bed and it builds up. It all makes an impact. I'm against the feathers and the burning of plastic. AMEN

It's more her blatant, shameless disrespect for rules that apply to everyone. Since her "art" is a special snowflake that has been in magazines, she can merrily disregard the rules because some other people do worse. The reason BM can keep as clean as it is (especially compared with other festivals) is because there are rules in place for people to follow. Sure some people break them, and some of the rules seem trivial in the scheme of things, but overall herd compliance is what keeps BM clean. Her "I'm too special for other people's rules" attitude is pretty much the worst part. Fuck her.

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 1:05 am

stew wrote:Ooh, I would have loved to meet her in my gate shift.

Me too.

wraith · Post by **wraith** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 6:23 am

Candybox wrote:
Tinkerbell wrote:I can understand both sides. She has a point with the plastic that gets burnt. It is horrible how much people don't filter out their garbage into the burning fires. Those toxins are horrible for our atmosphere. As for the feathers, we are a LEAVE NO TRACE. It is impossible to catch all the FIBERS of the feathers that fall off. Yes the feathers are bad but easy to grab, but those tiny little flurries from feathers that roll around in the dust. Yes they collect along the side of the lake bed and it builds up. It all makes an impact. I'm against the feathers and the burning of plastic. AMEN
It's more her blatant, shameless disrespect for rules that apply to everyone. Since her "art" is a special snowflake that has been in magazines, she can merrily disregard the rules because some other people do worse. The reason BM can keep as clean as it is (especially compared with other festivals) is because there are rules in place for people to follow. Sure some people break them, and some of the rules seem trivial in the scheme of things, but overall herd compliance is what keeps BM clean. Her "I'm too special for other people's rules" attitude is pretty much the worst part. Fuck her.

Herd compliance and the dedicated bitching and moaning while working their asses off that the afterburn folks are doing right now and will be for probably another month and a half. The worst part of the whole thing is that even if she doesn't care to bother, someone's going to have to clean that shit up.

Post by **Elderberry** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 8:28 am

http://www.serpentfeathers.com/not-acce ... this-time/
She has since stated that she will no longer be bringing this art to the playa, but after some consideration, I think an exception might be in order. The precautions she takes are consistent with those taken to protect the playa from burn scars when burning the man. And it's not the same as someone wearing a cheap feather boa. That costume is art and I would have enjoyed seeing it on the playa.

junglesmacks · Post by **junglesmacks** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 8:31 am

jkisha wrote:http://www.serpentfeathers.com/not-acce ... this-time/
She has since stated that she will no longer be bringing this art to the playa, but after some consideration, I think an exception might be in order. The precautions she takes are consistent with those taken to protect the playa from burn scars when burning the man. And it's not the same as someone wearing a cheap feather boa. That costume is art and I would have enjoyed seeing it on the playa.

No.

Irregardless of the art value, it preaches to others that there are exceptions.. and opens the floodgates for the "Well.. SHE DID IT!!"

Post by **Elderberry** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 8:55 am

junglesmacks wrote:
jkisha wrote:http://www.serpentfeathers.com/not-acce ... this-time/
She has since stated that she will no longer be bringing this art to the playa, but after some consideration, I think an exception might be in order. The precautions she takes are consistent with those taken to protect the playa from burn scars when burning the man. And it's not the same as someone wearing a cheap feather boa. That costume is art and I would have enjoyed seeing it on the playa.

No.

Ir Regardless of the art value, it preaches to others that there are exceptions.. and opens the floodgates for the "Well.. SHE DID IT!!"

I don't buy that argument. That costume would not be a 'she did it' excuse to wear a boa. Just like bringing glass glasses or water melon or many other 'unaccetable' items to the playa. I bring glass beer mugs and glass wine glasses and all sorts of fresh fruit. Nothing better than an ice cold beer on the playa served in a frosted glass beer mug or a good wine served in the appropriate glass. The spirit of the law is much more important than the letter of the law. As long asi don't leave glass or seeds on the playa, I'll pretty much do what makes me comfortable out there. I think she has the same right.

You are trying to equate her feather art to this http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=62030 and that is not right.

Post by **AntiM** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 9:07 am

In camp is a lot different than traipsing and performing out on the playa. And glass doesn't blow away like feathers. And no one is going to feature you in Rolling Stone.

I think you may be confusing rights with privileges.

5280MeV · Post by **5280MeV** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 9:07 am

I think that it is an absolutely beautiful piece of artwork, it looks great on the playa, it certainly adds to the event, I would have been amazed by it, it sounds like she was fairly responsible about MOOP overall, and I am against making such exceptions.

If I was to be out on the playa seeing something like that, I might be inspired, and I might want to incorporate some feathers into my clothing or other art. It certainly is tempting.

This is the great thing about Burning Man - I can go thinking that I am a "non-artist", and then realize that there is no such thing. I have as much right as anyone else to express myself. Even if my artwork isn't going to pass muster in the commercial scene, it still has value on the playa. We all make things because it is fun, it is liberating, and because fuck-all we want to, dammit!

So I want to put a feather in my hat, and no, Rolling Stone is not going to take pictures of me, and no, I will not be on a slideshow at an art school somewhere. Do I not get an exception because I am not a "serious artist"? Is my art good enough according to some aesthetic or technical judgement to merit a feather exception?

To me, the whole magic of the event is diluted just a bit every time a distinction is made between the "real artists" and the "other folks".

I also feel a degree of sympathy towards Ka considering that she was actively invited to bring her feathers to the event precisely because they were special and way better than the prefabricated hipster headdress. The community tells her that she is special, different, and therefore exempt from the rules; and then chastises her for doing something special, different, and against the rules. The attitude towards feathers does appear schizophrenic as there is a rule in the survival guide that states no feathers, and yet pictures of feather costumes are celebrated.

I think that there should either be a rule or not be a rule.

If there are going to be exceptions made for moopy artwork - then there should be a department of moopy artwork (DMA), with guidelines and licensing and clear expectations for how anyone so inclined can make their leafy, glittery, feathery, shambling vision a reality at Burning Man in the appropriate and respectful manner.

Post by **Elderberry** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 9:18 am

AntiM wrote:In camp is a lot different than traipsing and performing out on the playa. And glass doesn't blow away like feathers. And no one is going to feature you in Rolling Stone.

I think you may be confusing rights with privileges.

Maybe not, but we did get a picture and mention in The Wall Street Journal! http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000087 ... 56976.html

Sorry, I get your point, but couldn't resist.

And though my example probably wasn't the best, I think that the small amount of MOOP that might have been left from her art would be worth the price in the whole scheme of things.

lucky420 · Post by **lucky420** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 9:35 am

nope sorry, fuck your feathers!

Tinkerbell · Post by **Tinkerbell** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 9:47 am

I understand she should adhere to the same rules as everyone else, but she was invited to Burning Man to do this performance in her costume at center camp. If we have anyone to bitch about it would be the person who invited her and gave her a free ticket. I am sure she was built to believe she was an exception to the rule because they invited her there to perform in that costume. So I don't blame her for her ignorance, I blame whoever invited her there to do the show.

Tinkerbell · Post by **Tinkerbell** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 9:53 am

Oh and on another note, it does worry me how much publicity this got as well. I do believe first timers will think this is acceptable. They may not do all their research. Once they are in line and they ask if you have any feathers, they are going to lie because for one they don't want to throw their shit away, and for two they aren't going to turn around over some simple feathers. I have myself been caught in line back in 2002 and I had some fairy wings that had a feathery rim, I lied and said I had no feathers. Granted knowing it was wrong they never left the car and stayed packed away.

pink · Post by **pink** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 10:17 am

On Monday, in two separate incidents I told women wearing feathers that they weren't allowed on the playa. One had gotten her headdress from the BR Boutique, but she put it away when I let her know the reasoning. BRB shouldn't be giving away stuff with feathers!

The other girl was extremely apologetic and actually ran back to camp to put away her very cute piece.

In the cafe that night, I did more of the same with people coming up for drinks. One didn't even realize there was moopy maraboa on his hat, and I pointed out the bits that were already coming off and clinging to the brim, and he asked for advice. Another guy had the same attitude as KA, "MY feathers are well attached and I've never lost one in 12 years". I stewed about that response until I decided it wasn't going to ruin my attitude.

The big problem is giving anyone, newbie or not, the idea that either feathers are ok, or that the rules are just guidelines. I mooped up plenty of feather bits that blew into camp (as MOOP Nazi of the camp, no one in our camp had any!). And mooping up feathers in Tuesday's winds and dust wasn't easy.

I'm even going to set a new rule about hairbrushing in camp-wads of hair were just as bad as the damned feathers.

Post by **Elderberry** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 10:48 am

OK. So then let's stop pussy-footing and do something about it. I say, if it is REALLY that important to the community, LEO's should start giving littering tickets for violations of the policy. If you can't support this, then stop your bitching about it. You MOOP, or are caught wearing items that are known to cause MOOP and are on the do-not-wear-list, you get a ticket and pay a fine. End of story. Problem solved.

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 11:20 am

If there are too many exceptions made or people pushing the guidlines, there will be a big enough mess that we will eventually get denied the permit for the event.

So go ahead and bring your fucking feathers.................

at the cost of the burn!!!!!!!!!

Tinkerbell · Post by **Tinkerbell** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 12:29 pm

The hair is a big one. I'm a girl and I shed. But I embrace the burning man dirt and my curly hair and let my locks do their thing the whole week. I feel tearing through your hair with a brush is HORRIBLE for it. I have very fine hair and don't need to be damaging it anymore then it naturally does. So I just get over it. But I have seen campmates tear through their hair and gobbles of hair clumps blowing off in the wind. I try to catch them and pick them up when I see em.

Post by **AntiM** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 1:14 pm

I comb my hair and I know some always escapes. I'm not going to shave my head for the event.

ZaphodBurner · Post by **ZaphodBurner** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 1:23 pm

5280MeV wrote:I think that it is an absolutely beautiful piece of artwork, it looks great on the playa, it certainly adds to the event, I would have been amazed by it, it sounds like she was fairly responsible about MOOP overall, and I am against making such exceptions.

I respectfully disagree with you and JK, and will resort to quoting Red Foreman from That '70s Show (the closest embodiment of my grandfather ever on TV.). "Rules are rules, son, and without them we might as well still be living in trees flinging crap at each other..."

Judging by comments from cleanup crews, not to mention her statement that she makes friends follow her around and clean up after her, I don't have much reason to believe that she's being responsible at all.

To me, it isn't beautiful at all. It looks like a bantam playa chicken or something out of a Foster Farms commercial. And even if it's the best bird costume ever out there (it's not), her attitude about it on her blog makes her ugly. She sure knows she's beautiful, though.

With all of the abuse people got for showing up a little early on the playa, why should she get a pass for flagrantly, deliberately violating the rules and then telling people she feels no remorse for it afterward? Just my opinion.

urvile · Post by **urvile** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 2:45 pm

AntiM wrote:I comb my hair and I know some always escapes. I'm not going to shave my head for the event.

Braids are stylish, pretty, and eliminate the need. Just a suggestion

I have a feeling you aren't tossing hair wads around the playa as it is.

Post by **Elderberry** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 2:51 pm

ZaphodBurner wrote:
5280MeV wrote:I think that it is an absolutely beautiful piece of artwork, it looks great on the playa, it certainly adds to the event, I would have been amazed by it, it sounds like she was fairly responsible about MOOP overall, and I am against making such exceptions.
I respectfully disagree with you and JK, and will resort to quoting Red Foreman from That '70s Show (the closest embodiment of my grandfather ever on TV.). "Rules are rules, son, and without them we might as well still be living in trees flinging crap at each other..."

Judging by comments from cleanup crews, not to mention her statement that she makes friends follow her around and clean up after her, I don't have much reason to believe that she's being responsible at all.

To me, it isn't beautiful at all. It looks like a bantam playa chicken or something out of a Foster Farms commercial. And even if it's the best bird costume ever out there (it's not), her attitude about it on her blog makes her ugly. She sure knows she's beautiful, though.

With all of the abuse people got for showing up a little early on the playa, why should she get a pass for flagrantly, deliberately violating the rules and then telling people she feels no remorse for it afterward? Just my opinion.

Hey, I already said that if that was the consensus of opinion, let's have the LEO's start ticketing and fining people that break the rules. Rules with no consequences are usually disobeyed, and obviously, the 10 principles aren't enough of a deterrent to rule braking.

Oh, and she already said that she wouldn't be bringing that outfit back again. (you must not have read her blog lately)

Candybox · Post by **Candybox** » Sat Sep 08, 2012 3:13 pm

ZaphodBurner wrote:
5280MeV wrote:I think that it is an absolutely beautiful piece of artwork, it looks great on the playa, it certainly adds to the event, I would have been amazed by it, it sounds like she was fairly responsible about MOOP overall, and I am against making such exceptions.
I respectfully disagree with you and JK, and will resort to quoting Red Foreman from That '70s Show (the closest embodiment of my grandfather ever on TV.). "Rules are rules, son, and without them we might as well still be living in trees flinging crap at each other..."

Judging by comments from cleanup crews, not to mention her statement that she makes friends follow her around and clean up after her, I don't have much reason to believe that she's being responsible at all.

To me, it isn't beautiful at all. It looks like a bantam playa chicken or something out of a Foster Farms commercial. And even if it's the best bird costume ever out there (it's not), her attitude about it on her blog makes her ugly. She sure knows she's beautiful, though.

With all of the abuse people got for showing up a little early on the playa, why should she get a pass for flagrantly, deliberately violating the rules and then telling people she feels no remorse for it afterward? Just my opinion.

This. So much this.

Turning BM into a police state with littering fines is just wrong, but it's good to have general community norms (institutionalized as "rules") in place to keep BRC clean. And every fuckwad like this chick who flaunts the rules because she's "too exceptional" to follow them, that just helps break down the norms that we have in place. I don't care how cool her "art" looks. Her attitude makes her ugly. I've seen some pretty sturdy, exceptional glass art installations too, but that doesn't mean they should be taken out to the playa either.

This applies all the generally set rules that we're meant to follow, since they're social codes rather than punishable laws. Every person who publicly flaunts the rules weakens the social norms, until in the end it breaks down. And doing it in such a public, shameless way weakens it a great deal.

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