Category Archives: L.09.6

THE LICHTENBERGIAN VORTEX:10,000 VISIONs

The main structure is a shallow wooden bowl, 15-20’ across, with a spiral groove cut into it.

At the bottom of the bowl is a 1’ hole.

Beneath the hole is a flame pit.

Participants will encounter members of the Society, dressed—how?—who will explain the purpose of the Vortex and offer each participant a small wooden ball.

We will have 10,000 wooden balls, 2” diameter: cedar, oak, cypress, etc.

Each participant will write on the ball his most cherished but unrealized creative goal, then release it into the Vortex.

The slope of the Vortex will be such that a ball’s progress is slow but inexorable.  (I am ignoring for the moment the practical consideration of the grit and dust from the Playa.)

When a ball reaches the center of the Vortex, it falls into the abyss and is consumed by flame.  Indeed, the flame pit is close enough to the bowl that the Vortex itself will be consumed by a slow burn during the course of the Festival.

As we begin to think about meeting to consider planning our First Annual Retreat, I thought we might as well look far into the future, when we finally get our act together and hit Burning Man.

First, some context:

and check out the stuff at the official site, like here.

Since it is forbidden to be merely an observer at Burning Man, what will the Lichtenbergians contribute to the Playa?  As you watch the videos, you’ll realize that the assignment is wide open: art installation, group identity, art vehicle, performance, public service, anything.

There are no limits.