2012 ART THEME: FERTILITY 2.0
This year the Man will stand astride a grand pavilion that is similar in shape and style to the Pantheon of ancient Rome. Arching portals and two mezzanines will wrap around an atrium; circles will encompass circles, telescoping to an open skylight several stories overhead. An interactive sculpture, sprouting from the courtyard of the chamber, will invite participants to clamber upward through the center of this mesmerizing space, much as bees might swarm about the pistil of a flower. To make this artwork more intensely interactive, we encourage all prospective climbers to express their own peculiar sense of inner beeing; come prepared to personate a bee, engage in both bee culture and couture. Worker bees are always welcome. If you wish to join the hive-mind and help organize this effort, please contact beeherenow (at) burningman (dot) com.
I have to respond to this. Great project, nice design, yay Burning Man. BUT.
1) You trace the design to the Pantheon, but the temple and the Pantheon represent two very different functions and designs. The Pantheon has a singular monumental entrance, solid walls, and an oculus that represents the eye of heaven (maybe). This structure has multiple entrances, views to the outside, and a multi-story design. The experience of being in these spaces is completely different. If anything, this design recalls the Colosseum (where, um, people fought to the death).
2) Bees don’t swarm around a pistil. One singular bee might take nectar from a flower, but bees are smart enough not to all gather around the same plant.
It’s disappointing to see inaccuracies like this in an artist’s statement, because it calls into question the clarity of the designer’s purpose. Or maybe the designer didn’t do their research, or retroactively sought out “inspirations” or points of reference for the statement they wanted to make with their project. But in art that’s not how it works - everything has precedents, and it’s the artist’s responsibility to know what he or she is commenting on. But if that’s not possible, don’t stoop to making things up.
