I'm a Burgin

Mellobiker · Post by **Mellobiker** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 2:38 pm

This will be my first Burningman. I have friend who have gone and say its a hoot. Unfortunately, I have no talent whatsoever, so I guess I won't be doing any art. Guess I'll just show up and see what happens. Can I just hang out, get stoned, and listen to tunes?

Post by **AntiM** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 2:42 pm

Hey, don't sweat it. I don't think I have much artistic talent and I still make art like mad. Read the survival guide, be prepared to take of your own ass, and just be friendly. You'll do fine.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 2:57 pm

AntiM--you do have your own curatorial talents...

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 5:25 pm

Mellobiker, you don't have to be Rembrandt or Brueghel to create art. It all gets trashed anyway so by week's end nobody cares if you brought Lascaux or showed Fantasia. You'd be surprised at the level of "artistic quality;" I know lots of people who made totally amateurish art but got great response to it. Or even made someone's day with it.

In short, don't think you have to come with a masterpiece. It depends entirely on how passionate you are about what you're doing.

You don't even have to make anything. One guy came out a couple years ago and held classical Greek philosophical debates in his dome. We (tried to) hold a live action roleplay out there in 2004.

Can you wrap wire? Can you string bells? Do you do poetry? Do you have a lot of really really cool tattoos and aren't afraid to show them off? Can you wield hand-tools? If so, volunteer with someone else's project. Pretty much anyone can swing a hammer or hold onto a rope or pull a drill's trigger.

MikeVDS · Post by **MikeVDS** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 5:59 pm

^ Agree. My favorite art there is interactive art. Make something to play with and people will love it. Throw in some fire and danger and people will never know it's your first time.

Zulegoona · Post by **Zulegoona** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 6:05 pm

Welcome Mellobiker, I think the best suggestions I can offer is donâ€™t spend all your time stoned, really Black Rock City is trippy enough with out anything else, be sure you experience it on itâ€™s own. My first year was 04, the one thing that struck me on the way home afterwards was Iâ€™d wished Iâ€™d volunteered a shift or two someplace to get me more of an opportunity to meet more people. All of the amazing shit going on, all of the great things youâ€™ll see and do, it all boils down to the people. People like yourself , many who realize for the first time that they do have some form of personal expression to offer the world even if itâ€™s just for this one week in this one very special place. Meet as many of these people as you can, and become one of them.

Post by **mdmf007** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 7:00 pm

I like art work that I can climb, be a part of, sense and feel.

undeclared · Post by **undeclared** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 7:50 pm

i wouldnt consider myself "good at art", but really art is all about expressing something about you or inside you and its something personal, at the burn, you can do that to your hearts content, there isnt a judge panel, as long as you make something that truly expresses something and is meaningful to you, thats all that counts.

as for me, im making a really cool costume...an "organic cyborg" you'll see...

pinemom · Post by **pinemom** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 8:02 am

ohhhh Undeclared...that sounds fantastic!

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sat Jan 27, 2007 8:48 am

The idea that art is specific to individuals is a fairly new notion in history.
There are many ways to participate in art anyway.
You could help with a project.
You could be a good spectator.
Let the artists know when you like what they did.
Somebody always needs a hand out there.

Plenty of room for more with my project.
I will be
"Making Fun of All Things Burning Man".

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Sun Jan 28, 2007 12:08 pm

gyre wrote: You could be a good spectator.
Let the artists know when you like what they did.

For all the hype, what is art without people to appreciate it?

But just enjoy your first burn, you will get inspired with ideas for the next time, everyone does.

ohpun · Post by **ohpun** » Mon Jan 29, 2007 10:59 pm

What does this have to do with being a Burgin? My GF is the daughter of a Burgin and inquiring minds want to know. She feels tricked into reading your thread and will not rest or eat until she finds out everything, and I mean everything, about how you are related or not related to her.

Dr. Pyro · Post by **Dr. Pyro** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 7:37 am

Artists? Yeah, right. Hasn't anyone ever told you that Burning Man is like the Special Olympics of art?

pinemom · Post by **pinemom** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 7:40 am

your only a Burgin Once! You can never take it back!

special olympics...hehhee
yes I plan on riding the short bus the whole time Im HOME!

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 10:29 am

It had to happen.

Stagger · Post by **Stagger** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 1:37 pm

Sometimes the best bits are art are just ... the things that strike you at the time.

I don't remember the year, but I remember the peice.

Someone had ridden way out to the trash fence... not to the corner where stuff and people tend to gather... just in the middle of nowhere. To the fence they affixed one of those bells you see on hotel counters, and a sign that said "RING BELL FOR SERVICE"

I loved it.

SED · Post by **SED** » Tue Jan 30, 2007 3:00 pm

Welcome Mellobiker

If all you end up doing is taking away an extra load or two of trash, you will have done more than a great deal of others. I also agree that volunteering for anything is a great way to go. You'd be surprised at how many established artists deeply appreciate anyone willing to pitch in, even if all you do is bring some cold water or play guitar while they work. Unless you're a shitty guitar player, that is.

chiefdanfox · Post by **chiefdanfox** » Wed Jan 31, 2007 12:49 pm

My first year was last year, and I got drunk too much, and didn't meet enough folks (well, I might have, but as a stumbling drunk...)
I really regret not interacting more w/folks.

BM is such a trip, especially the first night, heading out to a dark spot in the middle, and looking back at the city. You don't need to get stoned, because that sight activates a little known, and little understood gland called the "Selbst-Entsteinenhaufen" (Self-stoning heap).

It is a major contact high. Interdimensional weed.

I'm a Burgin

I'm a Burgin

Art in the eye of the beholder - and I can't get it out.

I agree w/ Zulegoona