Bring back Playa Art!!!!

bullD · Post by **bullD** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 1:56 pm

I feel that this year lacked playa art and leaned more in the direction of a big freakin rave. Not totally a bad thing but... Thankfully, the sense of community has not diminished. Not sure about 2003 but, 2002 had shit loads more random playa art than did 2004. Since searching out and discovering playa art is one of my favorite things to do ( the lilly pond and fire flowers of 2002 were basically religious experiences ), I am going to commit myself to acquiring funding for and bringing playa art next year. I also think that people need to get involved in the art car process much sooner this coming year rather than bitch about it. So, does anybody have any thoughts on this? Would you rather see more art or have more thumping in your ears? Any ideas on how to get more people involved in creating and installing playa art? Anything????

Post by **AntiM** » Thu Sep 09, 2004 11:24 pm

I saw lots of art markers sans art, but I also saw some cool pieces. My guess was that the big winds and white-outs early in the week prevented timely installation or that some pieces had not been designed to withstand the harsh conditions this year.

I didn't get more of a rave feel than any other time I've attended; less so actually, but perhaps that's because I was so fatigued I went to bed early with earplugs and zonked out. The wind kept me awake more often than any music. I heard more thumpa thumpa from art cars than from fixed camps.

natthebat · Post by **natthebat** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 9:26 pm

So my friend and I decided that we would be installation art. I wrote "art" on my hat and she wrote "installation" on her hat. We took our chairs into the playa and sat. People looked at us like wicked, dirty spectators. After the humor of the idea wore off I felt missunderstood and out of place. Only two people looked close enough to read our hats. They thought it was funny too. They validated my loving desire to mock art and I got to feel, unexpectedly, what art must experience all the time. As long as there are people like you who love it and seek it out. There will be people who mock it, destroy it, misunderstand it, fight it, feel threatened and hateful because of it, and most importantly; create it. It's the friction that makes you come. Were you offeded by the large scale sound installations? I enjoyed them. I just made sure I could escape when it was necessary. I love art haters and much as I love artests. If everyone accepted all art and no one got pissed, then art would die. There would be no friction, no innovation. So I hope next time you are on your noble quest to find art that you take the time to hate something and tell the artest if possible. Inspire them to create with anger and resentment if that's all there is, but never to stop creating. 200 years ago all burners would have been killed like witches. So burn on you seeing, hearing, feeling art eater. I hope next year is as stimulating but with more visual satisfaction for you. I hope you bring something created with hope and love.
Love Natalie

bullD · Post by **bullD** » Fri Oct 22, 2004 10:39 pm

Natalie, had I run into you and your friend I would have nearly pissed myself from laughing. I may have even made a hat to say "Art Observer Observing Art Installation" and sat next to you...

Mister Jellyfish Mister · Post by **Mister Jellyfish Mister** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 8:42 am

Cheers to that, Nat the Bat!

As a first year burner, I was pretty amitious to build a Mutant Vehicle. What I learned at the playa was that the veteran warnings were correct, I wanted to be free of it. When I was driving it was often gleeful but I also felt like I had to explain it, which was about as deflating as explaining a joke.

I see the beauty now of the low maintenance and simplicity of setting something completely free on the playa. How would you and your companion felt if you could have sent clones of yourselves to do your jobs for you? Then you could walk by your clones and observe the dissalusioned looks on their faces.

I am seriosly considering an art installation this year, and handing the keys of the Mutant Vehicle to the right person in my camp... no wait... can I have it back just for tonight?

clown lover · Post by **clown lover** » Sat Oct 23, 2004 7:37 pm

natthebat,
Thanks so much I just learned something from you. I take it very personally when people don't care for my art. I feel like asking them "what the fuck? Show me yours, bitch!", but I justed stew and let their negative reaction get to me. You are right. Who cares, at least it makes them feel something. Hate, confusion, indifference, sometimes even joy. I got many random hugs from strangers, far more than negativity. I need to let it go, and not let the negative nellies get to me.
natthebat, you rule!

natthebat · Post by **natthebat** » Thu Nov 04, 2004 10:33 pm

Thanks for validating my thoughts you guys! I needed that tonight. Let us not be spectators of spectators but rather family members who say what needs to be said in the intrest of irradicating passive-agressive bull shit. I argued with my mother tonight. blah blah blah.

Bring back Playa Art!!!!

Bring back Playa Art!!!!

What I did...

Cheers to that