Combat Paper Project

[phoenix from the playa]

How would you like to participate in an historic effort in Black Rock City next summer? Are you a veteran? Do you have a soft spot for vets? Wanna have your mind blown?

We are thinking of bringing Combat Paper Project http://www.combatpaper.org/ to Black Rock City as a Theme Camp cum Installation. 2009 theme is Evolution? How's this: Begun by U.S. veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, paper is milled from their combat clothing to provide a medium for poetry and art. Books will be created. Some will be burned.

For Burners who are military veterans, of ANY armed forces: Have you clothing you wish to turn into art? For fuller participation and interaction, we may open up the process to ANY clothing worn during abuse or violence.

We will have a press and milling equipment necessary to create paper from cloth. We've a 30' dome reserved and hope to secure a variety of funding sources. We expect to bring eighteen Iraq and Afghan veterans to The Playa to participate and lead this project. There are also conversations about several "drama pieces" that may be performed throughout Black Rock City all week.

We are forming a "core group" in the SF Bay Area to help consolidate, crew, fund and supply this effort. For many vets, participation in this project will represent the first time they have returned to a desert environment since combat. To that end, we wish the participation of sensitive and wise people, cooks, comfort workers, crazed artists, and military veterans with Playa experience, who wish to see Combat Paper in Black Rock City 2009.

We are open to all ideas. Thanks for listening. See you in Black Rock City 2009.

Pictures from a class & demonstration at Mills College:
http://www.rainbowpuddle.com/Albums2/Sp ... oject.html

[phoenix from the playa]

Those of us involved in this project feel the need to create the safest environment that we can for the veteran's who will be making art from their combat clothing. We are looking for two or three Burners who are Mental Health professionals who have experience dealing with PTSD who wish to be part of our team. We will cover your tickets, food and provide an RV that will sleep two or three. Knowing that most "serious" Burners don't check in to this space until May or June, please pass this request to any Burner friends of yours who you feel might be turned on by what we are intending to accomplish.