Depressing

Alpha · Post by **Alpha** » Sat Sep 18, 2004 9:39 pm

I just watched (for the first time) Fernando Velasquez's documentary "Burning Man - Where's the Fire?" which was released in 1998. I assumed that if it was released in 1998, most of the footage is from 1997.

As I mentioned in another thread, Fuck.

I've attended 4 burns, every one since 2000, and even in that short time the event has changed. Seeing what it was like in 1997 reminds me what I experienced my first time, and what I experienced a little less of in 2001, and so on. There's no one word for it: pagan ritual, societal consciousness, freedom; as the event grows and matures it loses a little bith more of these, and more.

For two weeks I've been suppressing the words to describe what I felt this year. On Saturday I got properly messed up and was feeling about like Velasquez's film makes you feel -- while my campmates scurried to prepare for the burn by collecting lawn chairs, taking group photos, packing fucking ham 'n cheese sandwiches for all I know. [Let me be perfectly clear I love these people and hope to camp with them next year; my ridiculous description is more a reflection of my state of mind than their behavior] I was practically jumping out of my skin to get out into the cold, dusty air where the Coleman lanterns and Walmart tents recede into the "other."

We got out to the burn and moved forward to see the fire spinners. We were compelled to sit down and I can understand why [let's PLEASE leave that discussion to its own thread] so we sat and watched. The spinners were choreographed and following the leads of a series of guides at the perimeter of their circle. I suddenly felt the need for a ham sandwich. The whole night, in fact, I felt as if wherever I went and whatever I did, I had to fight a crowd to be a part of it. Wait in line and be sure to have two E tickets out when you get to the front.

What depresses me the most about this is that my contribution to the whole, in my opinion, moves the event further from where I want it to be. Sure I contribute in some small ways (mostly around our home camp) but I'm talking about building a fucking Trojan Horse or spinning fire or tricking out a mutant vehicle. It seems to me that the event itself is moving toward the producer/consumer society that it's trying to condemn. I for one don't want to go back to that. I'll make a pledge now and hope to hell someone holds me to it: I won't go back next year unless I'm doing my part to re-ignite the fire.

Sensei · Post by **Sensei** » Sat Sep 18, 2004 9:55 pm

Alpha wrote:... I won't go back next year unless I'm doing my part to re-ignite the fire.

My first reaction is to propose a new rule... Everyone gets this tattooed on their butt. Gotta whip it out at the gate to get in, too. But really, there are those that have never forgotten this. I wish I was one of 'em. Thanks for the reminder, Alpha.

bullD · Post by **bullD** » Sat Sep 18, 2004 10:10 pm

Sensei wrote:
Alpha wrote:... I won't go back next year unless I'm doing my part to re-ignite the fire.
My first reaction is to propose a new rule... Everyone gets this tattooed on their butt. Gotta whip it out at the gate to get in, too. But really, there are those that have never forgotten this. I wish I was one of 'em. Thanks for the reminder, Alpha.

First: Alpha,,, right on! I'm gonna hold ya to it.

Second: Sensei,,, we could actually do this without it being permanent or leaving any scars, just have to use the right kind of ink. The ink seeps out of the skin and/or into the body 'Leaving NO Trace' in about a week.

Hmmmmmmm...

Zulegoona · Post by **Zulegoona** » Sat Sep 18, 2004 11:03 pm

Alpha,
I haven't seen the film or really care to much about what the event was like in the past. This was my first year so my history began a little over a year ago when I first hit the burning man web page. I like you didn't feel like I did much for the community this year and feel that if I had done more my increasable experience could have been even better.

We can't return to the past we can only work for a better future.

There has been and is a lot of talk about the yahoos , predators and other negative elements that seem to be increasing disproportionately to the growth of the event. Who know the reality of that impression, I expect that element has always been with the community. Even so it is an undesirable element. I am assuming they are attracted by the " biggest fuck'en anything goes party in the western hemisphere" reputation the even has gotten, maybe it's always had.
It seems to me that the only way to maintain an open inclusive gathering and diminish the numbers of undesirables, is to change the reputation that attracts them in the first place. I don't mean change it by making more rules or limiting any of the festivities that already exist but by changing the focus and eventually the reputation to one of Art, hard work, and community building. And yes sharing a drink and some good conversation can be a community building effort as long as it's not the only effort you make.

There are way to many people like us who need to do more. Each to there own ability in accordance with there own interests, stretch a little. Make something even bad art is better than no art especially since it's temporary. If you make and wear costumes come up with a ritual, play or skit and be prepared for improvisational in character interactions with other doing the same. Help others create there Art or express there dreams. We after all are the only ones that can make it happen.

Now if I can only pay off the debt I went into this year so I can afford to go next...........

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Sat Sep 18, 2004 11:07 pm

There was someone doing airbrush (temporary) tattoos at the Eugene Celebration today.

Or you could do blacklight tattoos. They're "semi-permanent" in that they were done like real tattoos but the glow element, phosphorus ink, was seen as a nutrient by your body and got metabolized. Meaning that after looking excessively cool under blacklight, it would gradually fade and go away over the course of a few years, leaving only the scar which of course can't be reworked or touched up with "real" ink.

Magikal · Post by **Magikal** » Sun Sep 19, 2004 1:30 am

diane o'thirst wrote:There was someone doing airbrush (temporary) tattoos at the Eugene Celebration today.

Or you could do blacklight tattoos. They're "semi-permanent" in that they were done like real tattoos but the glow element, phosphorus ink, was seen as a nutrient by your body and got metabolized. Meaning that after looking excessively cool under blacklight, it would gradually fade and go away over the course of a few years, leaving only the scar which of course can't be reworked or touched up with "real" ink.

One word: henna. That was how I was gifting people this year, by giving out henna tattoos. It is an all-natural mixture, has been used by the Arabic and Indian people (mostly women) for centuries, and lasts about a week or two.

But I'm not sure I would be willing to do anyone's butt.

Unless they're female & cute.

stuart · Post by **stuart** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 1:23 pm

re-ignite the fire

do you mean this figuratively or literally?

Alpha · Post by **Alpha** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 4:48 pm

that inquiring mind stuart wrote:do you mean this figuratively or literally?

Wouldn't you just like to know? Attend BM05 and you will find out!

Jimmy's down!

Discosybil · Post by **Discosybil** » Mon Sep 20, 2004 5:50 pm

I agree, the past is past. I have gone for 5 years and I must say each time it is a little different but I look at it in a positive way. This is a true vacation to be yourself and not look back. To play, interact and meet new people from all over the world.
I can't imagine not being able to enjoy change. Change is good, sometimes good things are learned from mistakes. Yes it was great years back, but you're talking far less people too.

Tahdah!! :)

As for the henna tattoo, I can't wait to check it out at BM2005

Bob · Post by **Bob** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 1:10 am

Fuck video.

Rob the Wop · Post by **Rob the Wop** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 9:07 am

Discosybil wrote:Change is good, sometimes good things are learned from mistakes. Yes it was great years back, but you're talking far less people too.

Change is not always good and perception does not always dictate reality. Complacent attitudes are what allow the greatest evils to be perpetrated on society by our government- would complacentcy cause the descruction of the event?

My Burning glass is half empty, but my life is half full. Just things to thinkabout.

primate · Post by **primate** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 9:36 am

The nice thing about saying "last year was better". Is that it becomes true every year. Just think of the fond memories you'll have of this year, next year when last year seems better.

Post by **actiongrl** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 1:57 pm

I repeat: man, it was so much cooler before I started going.

Simply Joel · Post by **Simply Joel** » Tue Sep 21, 2004 2:02 pm

actiongrl wrote:I repeat: man, it was so much cooler before I started going.

you fuckers got to go, i didn't.

damn!

Depressing

Depressing

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