As a 14 year veteran of Burning Man, I am compelled to say the
2008 Art Theme sucks.
From www.burningman.com
"2008 Art Theme: "American Dream"
This year's art theme is about patriotism -- not that kind which freights
the nation state with the collective weight of ego, but a patriotism based
upon a love of country and culture. Leave ideology at home; forget the blue states and the red; let parties, factions and the issues that divide us fall away. Ask yourself, instead, what can postmodern America yet give to the world?"
1. Doesn't the BMorg know that indulgent nationalism is what we should be throwing out in post-modern America? This endangered planet is in desparate need of a pluralistic democratic global authority (not unlike the EU) to mediate disputes born from nationalistic ferver and to reign in multinational corporations that are largely free to do whatever they want in a world of contentious nations.
2. The BMorg is trying to put a positive spin on patriotism just as the
nation is finally figuring out that it is most commonly used to manipulate
rather than to nurish and protect. Could their political timing be any
worse?
3. Isn't Burning Man an iconoclastic response to the consumerism that has
defined the "American Dream" for the past century.
4. Burning Man is an international tourist destination with a particularly
large following in Europe. I can think of no better way to discourage a
world sick of Bush's unilateral war machine diplomacy to stay away from
Black Rock City.
5. This will become a public relations nightmare as the BMorg's inept theme is turned by burners into a well-deserved anti-American smack down. Expect Fox News specials calling for a crack down on anything illegal in Black Rock City born from outrage at their buttons being pressed. Nevada's libertarian sensibilities aside, the Republican Nevada Governor just might repond to pressure... call in the national guard to deal with all the illegal activity... or some such. I this inviting disaster and to what end?
I hope this is some kind of joke.
"Let the factions and issues that divide us fall away." The problem with the theme is that the "American Dream" IS THE ISSUE that divides us from the rest of the world and has us speeding toward global terror and environmental disaster.
Bartolo
2008 Theme - Inept beyond belief
#5 hasn't been discussed enough on this board
Your point on #5 is an important one that hasn't been discussed enough.
Burning Man has never had great 'message control' about how the event should be presented to the larger public. All one needs to do is look at the suicide at Comfort & Joy this year to see how fast the media is to exploit Burning Man and distort circumstances to make for an explosive news story.
The first George Bush won his election in part because he exploited the issue of flag burning and pushed for a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning. The media will cover flag burning at Burning Man next year (which unquestionably WILL happen with this theme) and Fox News, Bill O'Reilly and all the right wing media machine will be only too happy to turn Burning Man into their left-wing Boogey Man for why there needs to be a constitutional amendment to stop flag burning and use it to help elect a Republican President. And what better target for them than what they would portray as "naked people doing illegal drugs and burning flags?" We could actually have a real impact on next year's election, but not the kind that Burning Man Org might hope for.
So, aside from this theme being exclusive of non-Americans, and a political agenda foisted on the community without the communities consent, it has the potential to become a public relations nightmare that impacts national politics negatively and wins us the ire of the right-wing news media (which puts the event at risk with a Republican Governor running Nevada).
Burning Man has never had great 'message control' about how the event should be presented to the larger public. All one needs to do is look at the suicide at Comfort & Joy this year to see how fast the media is to exploit Burning Man and distort circumstances to make for an explosive news story.
The first George Bush won his election in part because he exploited the issue of flag burning and pushed for a constitutional amendment to ban flag burning. The media will cover flag burning at Burning Man next year (which unquestionably WILL happen with this theme) and Fox News, Bill O'Reilly and all the right wing media machine will be only too happy to turn Burning Man into their left-wing Boogey Man for why there needs to be a constitutional amendment to stop flag burning and use it to help elect a Republican President. And what better target for them than what they would portray as "naked people doing illegal drugs and burning flags?" We could actually have a real impact on next year's election, but not the kind that Burning Man Org might hope for.
So, aside from this theme being exclusive of non-Americans, and a political agenda foisted on the community without the communities consent, it has the potential to become a public relations nightmare that impacts national politics negatively and wins us the ire of the right-wing news media (which puts the event at risk with a Republican Governor running Nevada).
Expect change
This isn't about one art project or camp. It's not about themes that are largely ignored when they are not inspiring.
The concern is the future of Burning Man. Perhaps I'm wrong. Maybe burners will not take the bait. I think they will, however.
Regarding radical self expression, there are lots of places outside the US where it occurs everyday. From the heart of London to the streets of Tokyo, from the parades of Rio de Janeiro to the beaches of Cape Town.
Whining is when there is no expectation of change. I'm hoping that BMorg will listen to reason and change the theme.
The concern is the future of Burning Man. Perhaps I'm wrong. Maybe burners will not take the bait. I think they will, however.
Regarding radical self expression, there are lots of places outside the US where it occurs everyday. From the heart of London to the streets of Tokyo, from the parades of Rio de Janeiro to the beaches of Cape Town.
Whining is when there is no expectation of change. I'm hoping that BMorg will listen to reason and change the theme.
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unjonharley
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I am guessing I am not the only one to suspect Larry & Co. of deliberately choosing this theme to get this very discussion/controversy going.... Kind of like that comedian from the late '70s - early '80s Andy Kauffman (sp?), who had the theory that provoking ANY reaction was worthwhile.
Just speculating.
B.
Just speculating.
B.
"Nothing is withheld from us which we have conceived to do.
Do things that have never been done."
--Russell Kirsch
Do things that have never been done."
--Russell Kirsch
Hey man, there definitely is some whining going on about 2008 but not here. The first two posts were articulate opinions against the theme in question, and that too is part of the freedom of your nation.Toolmaker wrote: Stop whining and make WHATEVER art or camp you want. You are FREE to radically express yourself. Try that outside of America.
Plus there's alot of countries where you are able to express yourself more freely than America.
(But again, I agree with the theme being genius. Aside from well-thought timing, I do believe controversy breeds creativity).
You call it malt liquor, I call it breakfast.
I skipped the entire post.. I only read "Burningman sucks" after reading the title "Inept beyond belief".K-mom wrote:Hey man, there definitely is some whining going on about 2008 but not here.Toolmaker wrote: Stop whining and make WHATEVER art or camp you want. You are FREE to radically express yourself. Try that outside of America.
I assumed it was yet another whine about the 08 theme thread.
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Ugly Dougly
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"Hey man, there definitely is some whining going on about 2008 but not here."
Thank you K-Mom for showing how to disagree respectfully. I would never call the supporters of this year's theme "flag waving idiots" and I don't think it's right for people to write off people who oppose the theme as "whiners". We both have valid points of view.
I do hope that the BMORG is paying attention to this discussion because about 80% of those polled so far on this site say the theme is awful/sort of awful, and only about 20% say it's brilliant/good enough.
I think if this sentiment continues to trend this way, it's time for Burning Man to at least revise how they select themes in the future (perhaps not having a vote on the theme, but incorporating some process that is more inclusive of the community at large), and perhaps they will even reconsider this year's theme if the opposition to it continues to be in the 80-20% range, with many of us like myself finding the theme to be outright offensive given the context.
why do I find it offensive?
1. It's exclusionary. If the theme were "country and culture" or the "global community" that would be broad enough to not be about one country and one culture first.
2. In my opinion, it sets a subtle political agenda for the community, without our consent, democratic vote or input. That's manipulative. Larry Harvey has spoken a lot about wanting to engage the community politically, and I think this theme was a way to do it. But it was handled poorly. If you want to politicize the community, you need to do it with our consent. That means voting on a theme like this, not foisting it on us.
3. In addition to being offensive, it's going to cause the event trouble. Flag Burning is a hot button issue for the right-wing media and we are going to become political targets by them because of this theme. We are lucky to be somewhat under the radar right now with this event. We will not be under the radar after this year because this theme is designed to have the event engage the nation.
Thank you K-Mom for showing how to disagree respectfully. I would never call the supporters of this year's theme "flag waving idiots" and I don't think it's right for people to write off people who oppose the theme as "whiners". We both have valid points of view.
I do hope that the BMORG is paying attention to this discussion because about 80% of those polled so far on this site say the theme is awful/sort of awful, and only about 20% say it's brilliant/good enough.
I think if this sentiment continues to trend this way, it's time for Burning Man to at least revise how they select themes in the future (perhaps not having a vote on the theme, but incorporating some process that is more inclusive of the community at large), and perhaps they will even reconsider this year's theme if the opposition to it continues to be in the 80-20% range, with many of us like myself finding the theme to be outright offensive given the context.
why do I find it offensive?
1. It's exclusionary. If the theme were "country and culture" or the "global community" that would be broad enough to not be about one country and one culture first.
2. In my opinion, it sets a subtle political agenda for the community, without our consent, democratic vote or input. That's manipulative. Larry Harvey has spoken a lot about wanting to engage the community politically, and I think this theme was a way to do it. But it was handled poorly. If you want to politicize the community, you need to do it with our consent. That means voting on a theme like this, not foisting it on us.
3. In addition to being offensive, it's going to cause the event trouble. Flag Burning is a hot button issue for the right-wing media and we are going to become political targets by them because of this theme. We are lucky to be somewhat under the radar right now with this event. We will not be under the radar after this year because this theme is designed to have the event engage the nation.
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unjonharley
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"with all the horse shit flying around these thread, there has to be an AM DRM pony in here some where.. i m all saddled up for the theme"
Call it whatever you want, but the overwhelming majority polled on this year's theme think this year's theme is lousy.
You are with the 20% who think the theme's a good idea.
Call it whatever you want, but the overwhelming majority polled on this year's theme think this year's theme is lousy.
You are with the 20% who think the theme's a good idea.
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unjonharley
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I see the theme as kind of a take back the flag thing that happened last election cycle, if you permit any group to lay claim to an iconic symbol such as the flag and impose a meanings to it like you have to be one of our true believers or your the enemy , you empower them to usurp your culture your past and your self by giving them the ability to define you. Patriotism as an extension of pride of place and works can be a really positive thing. I’m more than happy to consider myself a Burner, I can go on about it and the wonders of Black Rock City at length. Why is it so hard for us to feel the same pride and ownership of our own country? I’m thinking it’s because we have given the power to define it to someone else and are happy being the outsider powerless to change things. Fuck that. Inaction and un-involvement is an action . And yes I vote with my inaction a lot but at least I know I’m not buying any right to bitch when I do so and I’m painted as an outsider. The definition of America, and what it is to be an American is up to everybody, even non-Americans.
speaking of which have any non- united states burner weighed in on this,.... if you can’t be a decent citizen of a country why would the rest of the world want you as a citizen.
speaking of which have any non- united states burner weighed in on this,.... if you can’t be a decent citizen of a country why would the rest of the world want you as a citizen.
Well, there is that little fact that BRC is in the US. No matter where you go, or what you do BRC is in the US.1. It's exclusionary. If the theme were "country and culture" or the "global community" that would be broad enough to not be about one country and one culture first.
Didn't know we had a 'democratic' input. Seems to me that BRC has always had a more.....dictatorial feel. Benevolent, sure, minimal, absolutely--but definately top-down style.2. In my opinion, it sets a subtle political agenda for the community, without our consent, democratic vote or input. That's manipulative. Larry Harvey has spoken a lot about wanting to engage the community politically, and I think this theme was a way to do it. But it was handled poorly. If you want to politicize the community, you need to do it with our consent. That means voting on a theme like this, not foisting it on us.
And I can't say that anything was foisted on anyone. After all, you don't have to attend....
We're not under the radar at all. Where do you live? Where do you think all the yahoos come from?3. In addition to being offensive, it's going to cause the event trouble. Flag Burning is a hot button issue for the right-wing media and we are going to become political targets by them because of this theme. We are lucky to be somewhat under the radar right now with this event. We will not be under the radar after this year because this theme is designed to have the event engage the nation.
There is one point though that is, sadly, true. Too many are looking at this as a chance to kick at the whole idea of America and an American Dream. And we've had lots of art, camps and people who have enjoyed voicing that theme every year, but this year, it's gonna be a megaphone.
"Life is like a box of razor blades. Sharp, shiny, and good for removing unwanted body hair"
I think the theme was selected to be offensive to keep the numbers of attendees down. In so far as it does that, it might actually be a good idea. At 47K this year, the place was really crowded. The fact the moon was out all night made it worse. You really couldn't find a decently private place on the playa. Maybe the theme knocks it doesn 10K, it'd be cool.
Please remember that works of "great art" that are considered valuable or even, oh my gawd, placid these days were tremendously unpopular and offensive to most people at the time it was made. The fact that 80% of the people aren't ready to find this theme appropriate doesn't really flap my noodle one way or the other. Frankly, the great works of art on the Playa are conceived by far less than 20% of the population, and the great works of art that are actually related to the theme is of course even less.
You can't say last year was better while it's still this year.
You can't say last year was better while it's still this year.
~~~~~~~~
known on the Playa (especially Ranger Radios) as HOOPY FROOD.
"A towel … is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have." – Douglas Adams
known on the Playa (especially Ranger Radios) as HOOPY FROOD.
"A towel … is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have." – Douglas Adams
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Kinetik V
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About the only thing inept or offensive here is the people bitching about this theme...instead of making their own art and thumbing their nose at it. It's not like you have to stick to the theme or you can't get your art in the giant sandbox.
Kinetic V
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I bring order to chaos. And I bring chaos to those who deserve it, wherever that may be.
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I bring order to chaos. And I bring chaos to those who deserve it, wherever that may be.
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unjonharley
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I truly love America. Best country ever, in spite of the horrendous mistakes of our leaders, sometimes with our blindered consent. I sometimes get teary-eyed during the Star Spangled Banner. (Maybe I should see a doctor about that.) When the amazing freedom of Burning Man hit me, I felt gratitude for being an American and able to experience this. True, lots of great countries are similarly free...some even more. But I'm partial.
To me, though, the theme just isn't that interesting or inspiring. The flag imagery thing...yawn. Visually speaking, it just doesn't give me any ideas. Yet, at least. Has my creative surge from BM2007 already faded?!But the only art I've ever contributed is an art car (it's an Asian thing - and I don't want to change that) and some pretty good costumes. Chances are some real artists will have something interesting to offer that relates to the theme. Or not. Maybe the artists will mostly ignore it. I do think flag burning will be the artistic response of some burners, and yes, Fox, Limbaugh etc. will milk it for all it's worth and it will create more bad press for BM. I wish BM had no press coverage, personally. And there will demands for action to put a stop to these unpatriotic pagans. And it will fuel the righteous indignation of right wingers, shortly before the 2008 election. Could the BM theme affect the congressional elections? I'm kidding, I hope.
If I could have my druthers, I'd have the theme changed to something broader. I liked Psyche, Fear and Hope and The Green Man. Pretty wide open. On the other hand, the theme doesn't really matter to me for the most part.
Regarding whining, I think people should be able to talk about their impressions and opinions, without being considered a whiner. This isn't whining. It's just a discussion. Could the people so quick to accuse others of whining please stop whining about eplaya threads and posts. Oops. Maybe I just whined.
To me, though, the theme just isn't that interesting or inspiring. The flag imagery thing...yawn. Visually speaking, it just doesn't give me any ideas. Yet, at least. Has my creative surge from BM2007 already faded?!But the only art I've ever contributed is an art car (it's an Asian thing - and I don't want to change that) and some pretty good costumes. Chances are some real artists will have something interesting to offer that relates to the theme. Or not. Maybe the artists will mostly ignore it. I do think flag burning will be the artistic response of some burners, and yes, Fox, Limbaugh etc. will milk it for all it's worth and it will create more bad press for BM. I wish BM had no press coverage, personally. And there will demands for action to put a stop to these unpatriotic pagans. And it will fuel the righteous indignation of right wingers, shortly before the 2008 election. Could the BM theme affect the congressional elections? I'm kidding, I hope.
If I could have my druthers, I'd have the theme changed to something broader. I liked Psyche, Fear and Hope and The Green Man. Pretty wide open. On the other hand, the theme doesn't really matter to me for the most part.
Regarding whining, I think people should be able to talk about their impressions and opinions, without being considered a whiner. This isn't whining. It's just a discussion. Could the people so quick to accuse others of whining please stop whining about eplaya threads and posts. Oops. Maybe I just whined.
I am almost as sick of themes as I am of the countless threads of people telling me they are sick of themes. I for one have never followed the yearly theme, nor have I given two shits about it other than to chuckle and roll my eyes while I drink my PBR and do my own thing.
"Be at one with the dust of the earth. This is primal union." - Lao Tsu
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Silverwheel
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To the "This Theme Sucks" crowd - If you're unhappy with the canvas, it needs more paint.
[b][i]Love without hope, as when the young bird-catcher
Swept off his tall hat to the Squire's own daughter,
So let the imprisoned larks escape and fly
Singing about her head, as she rode by.
-Robert Graves[/i][/b]
Swept off his tall hat to the Squire's own daughter,
So let the imprisoned larks escape and fly
Singing about her head, as she rode by.
-Robert Graves[/i][/b]
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cowboy_logic
- Posts: 6
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Petition to Change the 2008 Theme
I wrote the following and just uploaded it as a petition at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/change ... and-honor- the-american-dream. I'm hoping that if a huge number of participants sign it, with their Playa name or otherwise, the Burning Man organizers will change the 2008 theme. Or they won’t and at least while retire after giving off a mighty yelp. Please circulate the URL!
Re: Petition to Change the 2008 Theme
Nice idea.cowboy_logic wrote:I wrote the following and just uploaded it as a petition at http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/change ... and-honor- the-american-dream. I'm hoping that if a huge number of participants sign it, with their Playa name or otherwise, the Burning Man organizers will change the 2008 theme. Or they won’t and at least while retire after giving off a mighty yelp. Please circulate the URL!
Not a chance in Hell.
"Be at one with the dust of the earth. This is primal union." - Lao Tsu