LA CONTESSA - THE CASE GOES TO COURT

[Elderberry]

WOW I thought this was over and done with, but it seems like it's just getting started.

LA CONTESSA - THE CASE GOES TO COURT

If you've been around for a while, you probably remember La Contessa, the magnificent Spanish Galleon that used to famously roam the playa, blowing minds wherever she went ... well, here's an update on the impending court case since she was maliciously set on fire.  Katy Bell writes:

"friends,
for those of you who remember the La Contessa, below is an update of the case involving her demise. the trial is set for july 30.

though our steadfast legal superhero, paul quade, is working pro-bono on the case, there are still some costs to cover (relocating greg and simon to reno for a month, costs for transporting and sheltering/feeding witnesses, covering the lawyer's expenses to subpoena witnesses and other small expenses). we had a benefit, but didn't raise quite enough.

we have a paypal account: LaContessaLegalFund@gmail.com . if you are moved, we are humbly accepting donations in any amount. we need about $4000. if you donate, please make a note to us with your mailing address and you will receive a special gift with our kind regards.

please take a minute to read the press release below. join our facebook page, friends of la contessa. share your stories, feel free to post pictures. we are looking to re-enliven the magic this ship inspired in the people who saw her, rode her, and loved her. feel free to share this post with any friends or relevant lists.

i kindly thank you for your time and attention,
katy bell

For further information and updates please visit the Friends of La
Contessa on Facebook (http://on.fb.me/Kf5PR2)."

[MyDearFriend]

"Like us on Facebook!" Actually I did. I hope they win.

[Elderberry]

Me too!

[Box Burner]

[Sham]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iasxcG7gtTY

[Elderberry]

There's also some side story about the mast head, something like her being stolen before the boat was burned. Maybe somebody in the know can add some history to the mystery. I believe there's even a good side story about how she came to be.

[theCryptofishist]

I've forgotten the details, but yes the figurehead was stolen, and thereby missed being burned. And I guess they got it back as well.

What I remember about the Contessa was when she was broken--driving too fast over a playa snake? I don't really remember the details, except that she was going too fast. Apparently, that was often the case...

[lemur]

here is the side of the story from danger ranger:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10111/64247595/

They were running out on the open playa at night. The pilot left the bridge for a few minutes and the helmsman below deck couldn't see the approaching shoreline in the darkness. The starboard hull was ripped out as LaContessa shuddered to a stop, pitching everyone on board several feet. It was sheer luck that the few injuries were minor. As the ticket says; you assume the risk...

an image showing the broken bus undercarriage:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10111/6348504227/

La Contess runs aground 9 miles northwest of Black Rock City on August 31, 2005.

[Elderberry]

Ya, I think I remember reading that she was actually banned from the event because of reckless driving and racing.

[SnowBlind]

Article on the trial starting next week:

http://www.sfbg.com/politics/2012/07/24/burning-man-challenged-la-contessa-arson-trial-begins

[Bob]

Meh.

[nilasnake]

la contessa loses

http://www.rgj.com/article/20120810/EVE ... |FRONTPAGE

[Bless]

La Contess runs aground 9 miles northwest of Black Rock City on August 31, 2005.

How did they get her so far north of BRC?

[Eric]

La Contess runs aground 9 miles northwest of Black Rock City on August 31, 2005.

How did they get her so far north of BRC?

They were running out on the open playa at night.

They took her outside of the city, but I don't know how they got the okay to leave the city. Honestly not sure if it was a problem back in '05.

[theCryptofishist]

I think it was. There was a certain amount of anti-Contessa feeling in some of the volunteers I camped with that year. I don't really remember details, but they had a reputation for not being respectful of the rules.

[Bless]

I thought I read somewhere about them circling Center Camp in contravention of the rules and cruising at night without a permit.

[MyDearFriend]

So is there any new news or is this just internet necrophilia?

[Bless]

So is there any new news or is this just internet necrophilia?

the latter

[MyDearFriend]

So is there any new news or is this just internet necrophilia?

the latter

*smooch*

Worth revisiting, for the lost love. Thank you.

[Bless]

xxx

[DoctorIknow]

WOW I thought this was over and done with, but it seems like it's just getting started.

Settled. And, the creators of La Contessa have to pay attorney fees to the guy who burned it.
So fkked!

https://news.artnet.com/people/nevada-court-burning-man-ship-not-art-515081?utm_campaign=artnetnews&utm_source=061216daily&utm_medium=email&utm_term=artnet%20News%20Daily%20Newsletter

[trilobyte]

It was appalling when it happened (and the vehicle was beautiful but all kinds of unsafe) The story and case probably underscores the need to be careful where you store art & equipment of value, get things in writing and insured, etc.

[motskyroonmatick]

A sad ending to an adventurous and amazing art piece. My La Contessa story...Night...2005...The only time I've been kidnapped on playa was after I offered to bring my welder out to help the guys working on La Contessa.... Once they turned me down the crew of the Freudian Ship who were standing by in the shadows kidnapped me back to my camp via Toyota Land Cruiser and I helped repair and install a steering component on their ship. I rode with them for hours and hours that night, thought I'd lost my bike, found it and then had a moment at the temple. I ended up watching the sun rise from the temple steps after a group of us pushed a stalled 4 wheeler out of the view. Glad I got to see La Contessa. That's for sure.

[trilobyte]

Mine is less glamorous. The ship was clearly speeding and nearly hit me in 2005 as I was pedaling my bike in broad daylight as I was crossing the open playa (I was going straight, it suddenly turned in towards me). When I got clear and circled back to shout towards the driver, he or she or someone else on board shouted back an apology "sorry, can't see a thing!" I really wanted to like it, before my first trip to the playa in 2004 it was the first piece of "holy shit that's cool" art I saw in any of my friends' pictures.

I saw it a few more times that week, always parked. Each time I was either aboard our own vehicle, or in a rush to get someplace on bike/foot. I wish I'd taken the time to go over and come aboard if I could.

[Aurelia]

Yes it was amazing
and yes also dangerous
thank you again and always for your clarity Trilo

[trilobyte]

The pictures are gorgeous, but somehow don't do it justice.

[motskyroonmatick]

The pictures are gorgeous, but somehow don't do it justice.

Quite true.

[Elliot]

From what little I have known about the case, I have been thinking that Mr. Stewart may have been in the wrong to some degree or other. But this new information (from the article liked-to above) changes things:

Following La Contessa's use at the festival, Cheffins and Jones had stored it on land owned by their friend with her permission. When the property owner's home burned down, she abandoned the land and Stewart eventually acquired the rights to it, disposing of the piece.

Again, this is based on what little I know, which may very well be incomplete. But if the original owner, the friend of the artists, abandoned the land, that -- seems to me -- would have been the time for her and the artists to deal with the new situation.
Leaving an item of value on land that will be auctioned off by the county for unpaid property taxes (or similarly/otherwise offered up for new ownership), is surely an unwise choice.

[Leap]

A practical legal update for those interested.

[Bless]

Again, this is based on what little I know, which may very well be incomplete. But if the original owner, the friend of the artists, abandoned the land, that -- seems to me -- would have been the time for her and the artists to deal with the new situation.
Leaving an item of value on land that will be auctioned off by the county for unpaid property taxes (or similarly/otherwise offered up for new ownership), is surely an unwise choice.

I agree.