The Bridge of Fire Project for Burning Man 2009

I was asked this morning if I was feeling sad about not getting a grant from Burning Man, and I had to laugh inside because after what I have been through in the last year, this is a minor disappointment and falls into the category of the trivial. Besides, I say we don’t need no stinking badges. I’ve been doing this on my own for years. I’ve never gotten any money from Burning Man, and although my project has been small, it got done.

I still intend to build the Bridge of Fire. It will just be a lot harder to do now, and I certainly feel challenged to do it. This forces me to become more vocal, more persistent, and probably more of a pain in ass.

So, we all know the bottom line to this thing is money. I initially joked that all I needed to do was get $100 from a thousand people, because I was told that last years Basura Sagrada cost over that amount to do. That did and still seemed incredibly over the top, but it’s amazing how costs add up. I asked Burning Man for $20,000 and that was a minimal budget for materials, transportation, and logistics. So, now I have $0.00 and still feel like this can be done. Am I crazy? That’s a different subject.

So, how? First on the list of priorities is people. You all know the saying about the fact anything  is possible if a small group of comitted people are intent on doing it. Well, that’s all you with all your skills and all your networks of support. I would like to think that a lean Bridge of Fire Machine could pull this off. There’s no reason that this should cost some incredible amount of money and whatever it costs, some of the money should not be burned, but used to benefit the community. I still think that small donations from a whole lot of people is the answer, but I am open to any ideas for raising money. Anybody got experience in this area?

I will continue to blog a post needs both human and material in the days to come. I will put up pictures, drawings, tentative budget, description of my vision, and the philosophical intent. The web page will be up by mid March and I hope to begin construction by then of March.

I know of meetings happening today in which David Best will finalize his decision about his plans for Burning Man this year. This will have an effect on the Bridge of Fire, and I will post an update as soon as I know anything.

I know for most of you, this project does not carry the depth of meaning as it does for me and Lady Lavender, and I appreciate how people have already responded. I am asking you to pour yourselves into it. Create  you own meaning and let’s create a collage that reflects the personal life experiences of all of us. 

Help me create this. Help me with this journey to the other side.

Peace and Love, moonfire