Fantasy Theme Camp 2011+

[atomicray]

For those of us who looked to jump on the train but missed it for whatever reason...is there a theme camp idea that has been bouncing around in your head?

We are planning for a fair sized group (15-20) trip in 2013 and maybe even 2012 if everything works out, but that is saying something as we just started planning this week

But we are excited none the less and are bouncing theme camp ideas around like a pachinko machine.

Currently we are working with three potential themes and I suspect more will pop up before it is over, but as I have been involved with organizing many large events being a caterer and as it is my project...I will be the one that picks, develops, and finalizes the theme, the art, the cars, and pretty much everything else. Calm wealthy friends are quite a boon

Current themes on the table:

1) Tiki Liki Maki Eki...fez, sarongs, bright luau colors/patterns...palm trees, giant tiki heads (with fire effects), and tiki art cars (with fire/light effects)

2) Under the Sea...fez, sarongs, bright living reef colors/patterns...standing seaweed strands/overhead floating mats, huge jellyfish (with lighting effects...maybe fire effects on the tops), large suspended fish (with wind and light effects), and jellyfish/reef fish (lionfish, angelfish, etc.) art cars (with light effects)

3) Cirque Atomic Ray Cafe...fez, sarongs, classic 50's bowling team colors/patterns...large Flash Gordon style rocket ship mutant vehicle, mini-rocket art cars (all with fire/light effects)

Well that is our short and long theme list...any thoughts? Does one sound more interesting than the other to y'all?

Thanks for looking at the thread.

So, what about your dream or future theme camp?

Atomic Ray

[theCryptofishist]

2 or 3. As a fish I like 2. as a citizen of Terminal City, I like three.

There's a certain low level of tiki noise in the city every year. You may be able to rock it beyond my imaginings (John Frum puts in an appearance? or is that crossing two different things?) but if it's just tiki, meh.
Also, although you did not mention them, grass skirts are a no-no. (Damn, I shoulda said taboo.) And I don't know what your plan for palms might be, but actual vegetable matter is not going to fly. (Okay it is going to fly--that's the problem.)

[atomicray]

Tikis would be spectacular.

Not your typical grrr with a bit of fire

But I could see how this would be an easy add on to camps because it seems simple...I was thinking more of a Shag inspired setting with retro colors and perhaps talking tikis



As for the palms, grass skirts (euwwe), and other...it would all be hollow fabric covered wire framework to allow internal lights...no real flora pieces. But yes to big tiki masks



Under the Sea and The Cafe are holding equal ground...I am weighing the pros and cons of both.

In the end if it were balanced just on the art cars, which will be an instant go to point for each...little rocket ships or jellies and fish...tough call.

Rocket ships would be easier, mostly thin sheet metal work.



Jellies and fish would be great but tons more work with fiberglass, wire, and fabric work.

(but larger)

I am leaning towards Under the Sea...the images are a bit more inspiring and we are all beach folk...we shall see...maybe we could do an Atlantis and include some other elements like those from the Disney movie...there were some fun designs.

[Ugly Dougly]

Way out in 3? where BRC sort of ends. An intriguingly forgotten zone, fun place for the Restaurant at the End of the Universe. Hmmm. 2012?

[atomicray]

I get the Restaurant at the End of the Universe...that would be fun and the chaotic potential look of the people of burning man fits the various types found at the restaurant.

The zone reference, is that a location within the great arc?

What are some of the key visions you have for the theme?

The only issue would be the Restaurant part...I suspect you would get many many people thinking free eats

Good one though!

Atomic Ray

[Ugly Dougly]

10:00 or 2:00. The BRC plan seems to have accidentally created a margin between the city and the playa there that seems unexploited.

-I am thinking of something pretty low-key. Maybe a chill dome.
-Continental breakfasts: coffee, SunnyD and pastries until we run out.
-Maybe some yakitori and beer in the evening.
-Free food? I think we call it gifting and sharing.

[atomicray]

By the way...we are going with Under the Sea.

The name may change but the theme is set.

We will focus on the jellies...art cars with large umbrellas of translucent jellyfish (wire frame, fiberglassed cloth, tons of lights inside the jellies so the end look at night will be floating jellyfish with pink/blue/green/white/etc. light effects...maybe some small strobes, layers of DVD/CDs fro reflectors, etc.) with hanging tentacles of fabric weighted and with light effects.

I will work a couple power sources into the cars to provide light power when dark...pedal, solar, kinetic, etc.

Our camp...we are considering a large inflatable jellyfish to raise above our camp...but with wind issues I will have to give this plenty of thought.

Jellyfish hats will be a must...the same sort of translucent setup with many light effects, strobes, color sweeps, etc...at least part of it will be inflated get provide lift and height without weight.

These items, my baking oven, grill rig, and aluminum forge/casting setup...should be enough to keep us busy for some time.

Just for shits and grins, as my wife and I are both retired military we were looking to move somewhere interesting...and I have found several pieces of inexpensive property (4-8 acres for $4-5,000) fairly close by in Nevada...so we may end up setting up an art camp there...maybe a themed bed and breakfast (unrelated to the burning man theme though...most likely a science theme like a NASA sealed lunar or Martian colony with most of the facility just underground and all windows tinted with a few "windows" being monitors with scenes of the moon or Mars)...I have a couple investors...could be fun...and being close to the event I could store my cars instead of crossing country with them.

If this works out I will most likely setup a large storage garage to allow others the chance to store their larger items for burning man. That has potential also.

We have been looking for a place to end up and if Belize does not pan out then we will seriously consider this possibility...it would be fun to have the burning man event to look forward to each year and not be stressed out for travel and logistics...as well as running the themed bed and breakfast would be a blast.

Anyway...back on track...any more input or advice on our Under the Sea/jellyfish themed camp?

Atomic Ray

[Ugly Dougly]

So early to decide on a theme! I guess if you need to build stuff, etc...

We know that no matter what Larry decides on for an official theme, the real unofficial theme will have something to do with 2012, the End of the World...

In fact, it reminds me that in Northern California's Renaissance Faire, there was a place known as The End of the World. That might be my theme right there.

[atomicray]

10:00 or 2:00. The BRC plan seems to have accidentally created a margin between the city and the playa there that seems unexploited.

-I am thinking of something pretty low-key. Maybe a chill dome.
-Continental breakfasts: coffee, SunnyD and pastries until we run out.
-Maybe some yakitori and beer in the evening.
-Free food? I think we call it gifting and sharing.

10:00 and 2:00...aren't these the locations of the camps allowed to have larger and louder sound systems?

Are you saying that these zones, in particular 3:00 are fairly undeveloped?

Is it also fairly old smelly hippie free?

Being a birgin I am still gathering information, but it sounds like burning man in its current living form is a great collection of those who would show at and show up for mardi gras and fantasy fest; both of which I am quite familiar.

Sounds like fun.

Your theme sounds good also. I have had great results with yaki and it is easy to extend the sticks with inexpensive filler and you can use cheap cuts of meat cut super thin.

Atomic Ray

[atomicray]

So early to decide on a theme! I guess if you need to build stuff, etc...

We know that no matter what Larry decides on for an official theme, the real unofficial theme will have something to do with 2012, the End of the World...

In fact, it reminds me that in Northern California's Renaissance Faire, there was a place known as The End of the World. That might be my theme right there.

Being a devote conservative and career technician/military...having a plan with a defined goal is a must to get the theme results we (I) are looking for.

And I suspect we would take our art cars to other events for fun, so it should be something we are interested in beyond the single event potential.

To be honest, in my experience to try and achieve what I am looking to do even with two years may be a bit much...I still have to consider the large art piece that got me interested in the event to begin with...if the supporter still wants a water element I may have to build it and skip burning man due to the restrictions on water use...we shall see.

[Ugly Dougly]

Is it also fairly old smelly hippie free?

I guarantee you will be smelly as well by the end of teh event, and hopefully more hip.

I am delighted as well as aghast that you are making such detailed plans as a birgin. Keep it up, follow your bliss!

I heard something about loud sound camps there, and they're not my cup of tea, but when I ventured out there in 2009 3:00 seemed very quiet.

[atomicray]

More hip! Indeed sir...

I could use a dose or two of chill out, but hip I have plenty of

The plans are just a part of life...I have to plan catering events to feed 250+ by myself, weddings, art festivals, etc. second nature at this point.

Without plans you end up with regret and disappointment.

But I have been invited for years, just never took the invite seriously before. I am looking into property near by in silver springs, fallon, or lovelock.

[Bob]

Pretty much all the usual prom/beach party/carnival midway themes have been overdone. You probably need to go first, take mental notes on what's possible versus what's stupid, then come back another year.

[Ugly Dougly]

Here's to pissing on someone else's creative fire.

[Ugly Dougly]

Okay, we're ready to go!

[atomicray]

Fun stuff!

I have been completely enthralled by the online uplink...last night was re'diculous!

More motivated than ever before.

I have found an inexpensive piece of property nearby...hopefully I can buy it soon and then build my art car there...then store it there afterwards...maybe make an art car storage facility lol.

Got to get back to the viewing!

Atomic Ray

[Ugly Dougly]

You're in the brainstorming phase right now, AR. Let the ideas and inspiration fly around right now without regard to practicality. Those little birds have ample time to find themselves a roost.

I didn't see the night show last night. Maybe I'll pick up a six of PBR and do some local shirt-cocking tonight.

[atomicray]

Last night was even better.

The parade of the light brigade was fun.

As for shirt cocking...I am at a bit of a loss with that one. I could go my entire life without having to witness this en masse

Lol

Have a good one

Atomic Ray

PS
Nothing but ideas and possibilities at this point...but for me, being a technical minded artist, structure and goals provide me with the steps to move up and forward...otherwise I will simply swim around in the pool of interest.