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Inside, the Vault of Infinity--an elaborote infinite mirror--invites reflection on the infinitiess within us. On Wednesday night after a city-wide processional, the upper tower of the Pagoda will be fired into heaven in a blaze of color, consuming the entire structure in flame.
The structure itself is a large (24wide x24long x31tall) repetitive wooden structure composed of 2x6 beams and plywood gussets constructed in an open, airy Lincoln log style. The shape is five truncated pyramids. Four of these rest on the ground in a square pattern inverted onto their pointy tips, while the fifth is mounted right-side-up on top of the other four and centered. The structure itself may invite climbing and could withstand a reasonable climbing load, but we will discourage it with signage and near full-time guardians during its short life. It is about light, not gravity.
The largely open inner space defined by the Pagoda structure will house the Vault of Infinite Reflection, an interactive mirror artwork designed to twist the visual sense and create special effects using simple optical science tricks and battery/solar lighting rather than advanced technology. Our goal is to help participants fall into the sky. Each element of the mirror artwork will interact continuously with other mirrors, the sun, the moon, the wind, lights, the hundreds of slats in the Pagoda structure, and the human participants to create an endlessly changing variety of intense and immersive visual effects that will be enhanced using wind chimes, incense, and interactively moved lighting.
On Wednesday afternoon prior to a processional through town leading to the burn, we intend to remove the artistic elements from the structure. We will then be adding several chords of wood. On wednesday night a processional lead by costumed and flaming Street Barkers, Belly Dancers, & Gypsies starting from the outer reaches of our city will march toward the Esplande to entice our neighbors to the Pagoda. (and much merriment was had by all...)
The Vault of Infinite Reflection will rise from the ashes at the Pagodas original location on Thursday afternoon after the burn clean-up.
Foundation lighting is wired using appropriate gauge stranded and shielded copper wire. All connections will be properly terminated and not exposed.
Spot lighting will be in the four corner legs of the pagoda directed toward the playa. Each leg is in the shape of a V and constructed of staggered vertical 2x6, which will allow light to escape for external visibility. Each leg will contain one uniquely colored spot.
The center and lone top piece, which is in the shape of an inverted V, will at a minimum be illuminated by an additional spot. It is predicted that additional lighting will be included in the top tier, such as a beacon, blinkies, class 3 laser, el wire, or other low voltage / battery operated lighting. This is an evolving part of the project.
Additional discussion has included the illumination of the top propeller with el wire, which would trace the outline of the propeller itself. This too is a part of the project still in gestation.
The primary intention and focus of the lighting team is to provide illumination which will not only guide participants to the art but to enhance the geometry of the piece. Lighting within the pagoda will be interplayed with the infinite mirrors and is designed to create illusionary kaleidoscope-like effects.
LNT prior to the burn will consist of securing lightweight materials and de-mooping the area as needed.
Prior to construction we will lay down a burn mat (kevlar or fiberglass) with 2 inches of DG, covering the footprint and a few feet outside. The installation will house a variety of art elements before the burn. All of these will be removed before our burn, except for those intended (and non-hazardous) for burning.
Our burn is scheduled for Wednesday night, midweek. The construction will include structural elements to prevent burning materials from falling outward, so nearly all burning materials will be concentrated on the protected area. Fire attendants with appropriate tools (rakes) will be at the periphery, so that if any burning material falls on the unprotected playa it can be promptly moved onto the burn mat.
We will contract with Willie Courtney to use his front-loader and truck the day after the burn, to remove ashes, cinders, DG, and the burn mat. Our group will use brooms or other appropriate tools to remove any residual material. Following cleanup, we expect to re-erect some art structures and continue to use the space for the duration of the event. We will de-moop as needed. All materials will be removed, and the area gridded, before departure.
Spectators will be kept away from the pagoda as it it packed with cord wood and prepared for the fire.
During the burn, spectators will be kept well away from the fire-a cordon at least 50' from the pagoda will be maintained by the pagoda team until the towers collapse.
We will be positioning small fire extinguishers around the perimeter, and want to discuss what other fire supression may be required, such as fire department trucks or other
We will have several first Aid Kits on hand. We will offer safety training to all of the members of our group and expect to have many skills represented in those on the perimeter cordon.
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Prior to construction we will lay down a burn mat (kevlar or fiberglass) with 2 inches of DG, covering the footprint and a few feet outside. The installation will house a variety of art elements before the burn. All of these will be removed before our burn, except for those intended (and non-hazardous) for burning.
Our burn is scheduled for Wednesday night, midweek. The construction will include structural elements to prevent burning materials from falling outward, so nearly all burning materials will be concentrated on the protected area. Fire attendants with appropriate tools (rakes) will be at the periphery, so that if any burning material falls on the unprotected playa it can be promptly moved onto the burn mat.
We will contract with Willie Courtney to use his front-loader and truck the day after the burn, to remove ashes, cinders, DG, and the burn mat. Our group will use brooms or other appropriate tools to remove any residual material. Following cleanup, we expect to re-erect some art structures and continue to use the space for the duration of the event. We will de-moop as needed. All materials will be removed, and the area gridded, before departure.