2008 "American Dream" theme

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:06 pm

When I first heard of the '08 theme I was appalled.

And now, a maddening idea has taken hold and will not go away...

K-mom · Post by **K-mom** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:29 pm

Ahh, OBEY!, Calvin Klein's followup fragrance to OBSESSION!

Blind smell tests next August in the American Dream Pavilion?

Great thinking Smashy

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:48 pm

I'm following more along the lines of see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil world of OBEY, SUBMIT and FEAR in your tract home of American Dream suburbia. Orwell meets Better Homes and Gardens meets V for Vendetta meets Brazil all set in the late 40's early 50's of the blossoming Red Menace.

I'm off to the lab to start working up some concept sketches.

Kindaroko · Post by **Kindaroko** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 11:42 pm

Are you kidding - this is a great theme! What better venue to express the way we'd like to see our world, our society, our "America" then at Burning Man?! It doesn't mean you have to wear the Stars and Stips - The interpretations will be vast and fantastic I'm sure. I love and hate our country - hate it for it's imperfections but love it because I have a voice and can help make it better - you can't do that everywhere in the world. Just like Burning Man it's about participating, not sitting back and watching. Give it a chance - I have a feeling some great stuff will come of it.

Burn on I say - where ever the theme may lead us!

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 8:43 am

Badger wrote:
I think the B Morg has lost all sense of anarchy and is starting to suck the ass end of the mainstream.
Please elaborate further. The 'a' word seems to be popping upall over the place in reference to the event and I'm not sure that it ever really had a role on the playa. But then, I guess that might be based on my preferred definition of the word suggests.

"The 'a' word"? You mean "art"? Or am I confused yet again...?

B.

(Hey, it seems funny after a three martini breakfast!)

Jango · Post by **Jango** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:28 am

Larry- change the theme. Admit your mistake. Move on.

Look at the poll. So many people think it is lame.

Bush does not look at the polls. He has his own agenda.

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 10:48 am

Art is not a popularity contest.

------------------------------------------------------

The Willy Loman Precision Insurance Sales Team: 40 or more people dress up in late 40s early 50s "business attire" and swarm various camps trying to sell term life insurance. Our briefcases contain potent combinations of martini fixings and flogging instruments.

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 10:52 am

Larry- change the theme. Admit your mistake. Move on.

Look at the poll. So many people think it is lame.

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 10:59 am

Larry- change the theme. Admit your mistake. Move on.

Look at the poll. So many people think it is lame.

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:02 pm

Hey.

Just like the Green Man.

That's the theme. Deal with it. Work around it. Or start your own regional where you can have whatever theme you want.

We got what they gave us. Have fun with it. Or don't. Why would they care? WE told them the same about the Groin Man, the thing got torched, people despised the idiocy of it, and still it went on.

Just remember this. The American Dream is made possible by Capitalism. I'll leave it to you to connect the dots.

bb

Rat Bastard · Post by **Rat Bastard** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 12:36 pm

Here's the real question. Are they only gonna let American companies show their wares or will the trade fair called Burning Man be open to companies from all nations?

Considering that most of the world thinks that the US is pompus and arrogant I think this theme fits well with the fuck you if you don't like it attitude we sometimes see from the powers that be. How do you find the American Dream within the American Nightmare we're in now. This country is broke, Chicago is broke. We're in debt up to our hair line. The only American Dream I can think of is "Give me my fucking tax money and Social Security back cause YOU the government can't manage it." Every year it goes up, they want more. Kinda sounds like the ticket prices for BM doesn't it? Same brand of port-o-potties will cost more next year.

I would like to hear from people outside of North America. If BM was in Germany, how would Americans feel about attending "The German Dream"?

Also, they better not burn those flags. The USA flag or any other. Yes, there is no law against it (some see that as a right) but there's a lot of people in BRC that would be rather pissed. Including me.

It's a constrictive theme but then again, it's just a stupid theme. Ya know what I did for the Green Man theme? I put a shiny tail pipe on my mutant vehicle that has a green light inside of it. There, I have green emisions hippie. It was amazing to see all the stuff that got burned in the theme of being green. And buying carbon offsets? What a crock. That's just a another way to suck money out of the hippie earth lovers who then drove or flew 1000s of miles to go to a desert and BURN SHIT. It's all a crock and the theme isn't why I go to BM. It's the dust and the people and the non-themed art and general jackassery. Even the hippies add a certain desirable flavor to BRC. I will take someone up on going out to BRC some time that BM is not happening. That sounds like fun.

K-mom · Post by **K-mom** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 1:23 pm

Has there ever been a BRC Lottery?

(I'm not talking the Shirley Jackson sense, though if you wanted ....)

spectabillis · Post by **spectabillis** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 1:28 pm

wtf badger? again? and twice in a row separated by about seven minutes?

if you dont like it - leave.

Briden · Post by **Briden** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 1:55 pm

complete and utter bullshit. as a canadian, 2008 was to be my first year on the playa. no way. i have a dream that doesn't include nations.

i will not participate in a celebration of the american dream. why wouldn't i just head to mardi gras?

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 2:19 pm

Rat Bastard wrote: Also, they better not burn those flags. The USA flag or any other. Yes, there is no law against it (some see that as a right) but there's a lot of people in BRC that would be rather pissed. Including me.

Yee Haw Cletus, there's-a-gonna be a flag burning tonight! And we shall sing climbing songs near and dear to the hearts of the members of the Club Alpino Italiano!

blyslv · Post by **blyslv** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 2:21 pm

Briden wrote: i have a dream that doesn't include nations.

i will not participate in a celebration of the american dream. why wouldn't i just head to mardi gras?

Easy to say what your dream is, but can you come up with an artistic expression of that dream, that's where the challenge lies.

And if you want, you should go to Mardi Gras.[/quote]

COPPERFISH · Post by **COPPERFISH** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 3:19 pm

blyslv wrote:
Briden wrote: i have a dream that doesn't include nations.

i will not participate in a celebration of the american dream. why wouldn't i just head to mardi gras?
Easy to say what your dream is, but can you come up with an artistic expression of that dream, that's where the challenge lies.

And if you want, you should go to Mardi Gras.

[/quote]

Considering the tower that the Man will be on (with the national flags), "A dream that doesn't include nations" as an art concept would be pretty cool. Maybe a void of some kind. or even better , A David Copperfield illusion where you make the tower vanish with mirrors or holograms. An illusion could be projected over it to hide it somehow.

Thinking more about it, I always project the worst things on to the Man. I mean that f*cker is sitting there all week staring out over us. The ultimate spectator , not just a man but THE MAN - and then we get to burn his ass. I guess we can channel our dislike of the theme into that tower, and even better, maybe into some art.

Oh and Burning Man and Mardi Gras, not even comparable. The Theme could be about Toilet Paper and I would still go to BM over MG.

Post by **AntiM** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 3:25 pm

Briden wrote:complete and utter bullshit. as a canadian, 2008 was to be my first year on the playa. no way. i have a dream that doesn't include nations.

i will not participate in a celebration of the american dream. why wouldn't i just head to mardi gras?

Complete and utter bull indeed, if you think that the theme carries that much weight. It doesn't. I mean, if you have valid excuses, fine, but to blame the theme when you're never attended? Huh. Myopic.

Mardi Gras? No fucking way for me. I'd rather go to choke choke Disneyland.

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 3:36 pm

wtf badger? again? and twice in a row separated by about seven minutes?

if you dont like it - leave.

Hey double post dude. My bad. Anyway, what the fuck do you care. As moderator you more than most know how to engage the <plonk> feature.

BTW, your new, sassy post-event asswipe attitude was...interesting. For about four posts anyway.

spectabillis · Post by **spectabillis** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 3:45 pm

the 'just ignore me' excuse is wrong, its not there to make sure everyone else accomodates you.

seriously, if you dont like it - leave, or find some other way to cope. you sometimes use this board as your toilet but we are not cleaning up after you anymore.[/i]

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 3:48 pm

lurker wrote:The American Dream is about radical inclusivity.

In America, you can become what you want. You are not bound by ties of family, caste or class.

Don't confuse America with politics.

Oh give me a fucking break with that bullshit.

You can luck into an opportunity or two to wiggle around some within your defined socio-economic class, but to climb out of it into a higher strata? On your own merits? Only if you are one of the very few 1% of 1%ers that has an inside lifeline pulling you up. And even then, the odds and influence of the old guard are firmly against you keeping a hold on the brass ring you found.

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 3:51 pm

you sometimes use this board as your toilet but we are not cleaning up after you anymore.

Whatever.

BTW, get well soon.

CapSmashy · Post by **CapSmashy** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 3:51 pm

Badger, I picked up a sign for your theme camp idea:

You need someone to tie off a bunch of balloon people to emulate the sign.

spectabillis · Post by **spectabillis** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 3:51 pm

cute.

Badger · Post by **Badger** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 4:41 pm

Capt,

That'd be FANTASTIC!

I've put a little bit more thought into it and a suggestion has been made that our camp is probably gonna need a few 'coyotes' with art cars so we can disperse our new refugees throughout BRC.

We'll dress them in very garish, obviously bad Buhrner drag (think lime green poly wigs, real bell bottoms, garish jewelry) and randomly drop them off at camps. As mentioned before we'll provide each with a bottle of Jim Beam, a gallon of water, cigarettes and a small bacon subsidy. After that they're on their own.

BAS · Post by **BAS** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 4:48 pm

Rat Bastard wrote: I would like to hear from people outside of North America. If BM was in Germany, how would Americans feel about attending "The German Dream"?

Also, they better not burn those flags. The USA flag or any other. Yes, there is no law against it (some see that as a right) but there's a lot of people in BRC that would be rather pissed. Including me.

Hey, the "German Dream" would be pretty cool! I would attend.

Well, shoot! I am having a Pro Flag Burning Camp, and here you are saying that the idea of flag burning pisses you off. Why on Earth should that piss you off?!?

Please, don't knock it until you have tried it!

B.

Batmoose · Post by **Batmoose** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 4:49 pm

For a Known International event, having a theme like this seems a bit arrogant.

I have spoken with many people from across the pond that are at least a little bit offended that something they have poured so much time and money into would be so "exclusionary" -What does "the American Dream" mean to a Ugandan, or a resident of East Timor whom I know and converse with on occasion?

That being said, I am going to be there in style for 08! MY American Dream is to live my own life as free as I can get away with, and I plan to reflect that on the playa to the best of my ability.

I also plan on having our very own Amsterdamian in our camp, to offset all the US flesh that is sure to be in camp. :'

Kinetik V · Post by **Kinetik V** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 6:17 pm

I'm thinking everyone needs to look past the headline and seriously read the theme description.

In 2008, the Burning Man will stand atop a high-rise tower. Instead of windows, this edifice will feature images of flags that represent the countries of the world. Ranging from Canada to Chad, from Brazil to Burundi, from Vatican City to the Republic of China, these 244 symbols will shine in the night, gleaming like cut gems upon the surface of a jewel box. The United States of America will be among them. Each country can be said to represent a dream no less radiant or precious than the rest. Each nation may be viewed as a container of identity; yet each one can be said to be a glimmering illusion, an arbitrary entity defined by boundaries on a map. All of us are immigrants to Black Rock City.

My intrepretation is that there is room for counterpoints that would reflect the dreams of other countries. Rather than squawk about it being the American dream, here is a chance to share a Portugese theme, an Australian, Argentinian or Italian theme.... America is a melting pot, Larry is offering people the chance to highlight the dreams of people and countries prior to being put into that pot to melt and mix. In short...this theme has expandability....why is everyone bitching when there's so much potential here to work with?

I just don't understand the fuss...there's visions to be presented, statements to be made....let's get busy people.

Kindaroko · Post by **Kindaroko** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 6:27 pm

I'd like to think Larry is smarter then most of the pollers are giving him credit for. The "American Dream" is an idea - not a place, not politics. The Rev. Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" was about HIS "American Dream" - it was a dark time in America when he was writing that brilliant speech but he didn't say "fuck it I'm not going to partisapate" he did something about it and made the America I live in better because of it.

Toolmaker · Post by **Toolmaker** » Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:35 pm

Badger wrote:Capt,

That'd be FANTASTIC!

I've put a little bit more thought into it and a suggestion has been made that our camp is probably gonna need a few 'coyotes' with art cars so we can disperse our new refugees throughout BRC.

We'll dress them in very garish, obviously bad Buhrner drag (think lime green poly wigs, real bell bottoms, garish jewelry) and randomly drop them off at camps. As mentioned before we'll provide each with a bottle of Jim Beam, a gallon of water, cigarettes and a small bacon subsidy. After that they're on their own.

This theme camp is gonna rank in the top 10 for 08.

2008 "American Dream" theme

How much do you like the 2008 "American Dream" theme?

Now we'll see ART!

Burning Man is part of my "American Dream"