“They say they built the train tracks over the Alps before there was a train that could make the trip. They built it anyway. They knew one day the train would come.” -Frances Mayes, Under the Tuscan Sun
The Pheonix, as an artist's muse, is akin to Shakespeare and the place of his works in the realm of theater. We are under no delusion that we are the first nor will we be the last to interpret this mythical bird as the basis for an art project. We know of previous incarnations of the phoenix at Burning Man, such as the spectacular piece by xxxx, which by all accounts was a legendary burn to behold. We've heard whispers of a phoenix art car which has plans to set sail at Waking Dreams and we are quite eager to plan a playa date for our two phoenixes if they're up for it.
Roger Ebert said that "a movie is not what it’s about, but how it’s about." The subject of why an artist becomes obsessed with an idea can be its own book. The image of the phoenix on playa, as downloaded into lead artist Dylan Eccleston's imagination, is its own unique incarnation. He didn't know why a phoenix. She just showed up one night a few years ago and refused to leave. He'd shared it with project lead Arash Afshar on many occasions. He'd think about her when he'd see his phoenix tattoo in the mirror.
The phoenix is a powerful universal image. A cherished symbol of rebirth and empowerment that typically needn't much explanation. We're sure they're out there, but we've yet to meet a person who feels negative feelings about the story and imagery phoenix. It was this unifying energy and story of empowerment that attracted Arash to the project and it was through that one overly excited phone conversation when the two decided that the phoenix is a project worthy of their obsession for the coming year. A sculpture which will push Dylan just far enough out of his comfort zones to be a challenge worthy of an accomplished artist fueled by an energy of multimedia art, music and community activation, the trinity of which fires up Arash's creative impulses.
Additionally, this approach to the creative process will serve as a disruption of the old paradigm of fundraising, that was to create a Go-fund-me and then post over and over on social media asking for donations. Instead of asking folks to simply trust that the sculpture is being made, we’re asking of our Burner community participants to contribute to the effort in a way that also helps them spread their own creative wings. With various happenings and creative ventures, our intention is to really build a tribe and aim energy towards the Phoenix, trusting that the social media coverage and funds raised will be the inevitable biproduct of all the cool stuff we’re doing.
About The Phoenix
A majestic creature that emerges from the ashes of its own destruction to reform and take to the sky. Our Phoenix was hatched from the fire. Like many, when facing her first rebirth, she was scared of the fire, afraid of starting over. Worried that a new life would make the old one less meaningful, real, or true.
Instead of making her weaker, each fire refined her materials and burned away what no longer served her purposes. Through each emergence she found an increasing level of freedom and desire to protect and nurture those on a similar quest to keep the spirit of hope alive.
Her story is our story. A perfect metaphor for this moment in history and humanity. Do we have the courage to allow the fire that consumed us also light the way to our futures? Will we rise from the ashes or let them blow away in the winds of chaos and chance?
Through this art and community, we have the incredible opportunity to shape her story which is yours, mine, and ours. Let’s harness the energy of love and community to find the strength we need to withstand the fire and emerge.
Roger Ebert said that "a movie is not what it’s about, but how it’s about." The subject of why an artist becomes obsessed with an idea can be its own book. The image of the phoenix on playa, as downloaded into lead artist Dylan Eccleston's imagination, is its own unique incarnation. He didn't know why a phoenix. She just showed up one night a few years ago and refused to leave. He'd shared it with project lead Arash Afshar on many occasions. He'd think about her when he'd see his phoenix tattoo in the mirror.
The phoenix is a powerful universal image. A cherished symbol of rebirth and empowerment that typically needn't much explanation. We're sure they're out there, but we've yet to meet a person who feels negative feelings about the story and imagery phoenix. It was this unifying energy and story of empowerment that attracted Arash to the project and it was through that one overly excited phone conversation when the two decided that the phoenix is a project worthy of their obsession for the coming year. A sculpture which will push Dylan just far enough out of his comfort zones to be a challenge worthy of an accomplished artist fueled by an energy of multimedia art, music and community activation, the trinity of which fires up Arash's creative impulses.
Additionally, this approach to the creative process will serve as a disruption of the old paradigm of fundraising, that was to create a Go-fund-me and then post over and over on social media asking for donations. Instead of asking folks to simply trust that the sculpture is being made, we’re asking of our Burner community participants to contribute to the effort in a way that also helps them spread their own creative wings. With various happenings and creative ventures, our intention is to really build a tribe and aim energy towards the Phoenix, trusting that the social media coverage and funds raised will be the inevitable biproduct of all the cool stuff we’re doing.
About The Phoenix
A majestic creature that emerges from the ashes of its own destruction to reform and take to the sky. Our Phoenix was hatched from the fire. Like many, when facing her first rebirth, she was scared of the fire, afraid of starting over. Worried that a new life would make the old one less meaningful, real, or true.
Instead of making her weaker, each fire refined her materials and burned away what no longer served her purposes. Through each emergence she found an increasing level of freedom and desire to protect and nurture those on a similar quest to keep the spirit of hope alive.
Her story is our story. A perfect metaphor for this moment in history and humanity. Do we have the courage to allow the fire that consumed us also light the way to our futures? Will we rise from the ashes or let them blow away in the winds of chaos and chance?
Through this art and community, we have the incredible opportunity to shape her story which is yours, mine, and ours. Let’s harness the energy of love and community to find the strength we need to withstand the fire and emerge.