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The American Dream will be the art theme for the 2008 Burning Man, and will feature the Man standing on top of a high rise tower. With 2008 being an election year, this theme is designed to question the identity of our nation. Flag burning and flag worshipping will not be allowed.
Burners around the world are disappointed with the 2008 theme, as it will represent a political slant for the second year in a row. There was already plenty of backlash from this year's Green Man theme (which included the arson of The Man) Despite the controversy in this year's burn, organizers continue to press a political course for the festival, and it has left the burning man community angered and frustrated. Words like "misguided", "sick", "revolting", and "digusting" are being bandied about in the Burning Man message boards. Some participants fear that this theme may invite the "rednecks" and "hicks" and turn this special festival into an extravagant Fourth of July patriotic lovefest in the desert.
Themes in the past never involved politics. Themes such as Vault of Heaven, The Seven Ages, The Body, Psyche, The Future: Hope and Fear, and Beyond Belief encouraged participants to explore their imaginations and creativity. Although there were some participants that made their contributions political, the Burning Man organization was an omniscient entity.
Is this the end of Burning Man? Or a transformation of this arts festival into a political machine? Despite the negativity and my personal displeasure of the 2008 art theme, I will return to the desert next year. When it's all said and done, the art will still be inspiring, the people will still be beautiful, the art cars will still be amazing, and the music will still be mind-blowing.
Photo by me.
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Are you sure that the pre-mature burning of the man this year had anything to do with this year's theme?
Also, are you sure that the theme is not just so full of double-meanings and jokes (i.e. burning a giant office building!) that it is totally brilliant?
Having spent the last few years living outside of the US, I often find myself wondering why I ever bother coming back to my home country at all. I'm still not sure, but the subtle interplay at BRC between self-reliant individualism, bleeding-edge creativity, and an intensely dharmic sense of community create one of the things that makes me most proud to be an American...
Are you sure that the pre-mature burning of the man this year had anything to do with this year's theme?
Here and here (including his "official statement".
I think the new theme is hilarious. Maybe we should do a Fascist Christian Flash Mob? Convert participants to Christianity? Start a war with the camp next to us? Sell trinkets from China? (yes I said sell) Build a WalMart? Subdivide and develop large tracts of land? Dress up as the BLM and spy on people with infrared goggles?
Whatever happens, the burners will twist the theme to their own debauched purposes. I have faith in the madness.
As a Nevadan who has been blowing up and burning stuff on the playa for more than 30 years, I'd like to remind you that we "rednecks and hicks" are here already, and will be here after the last glowstick LAweenie leaves. We don't need an "invitation", just a ticket like every year.
America is ours, too; please share.
There's no need to open a Wal Mart on the playa, there were plenty of walmart bikes (upc stickers still on) dumped on the playa by the burners who fly in, buy, and dispose of their debris here. Really Green of them.
Allow Burning Man Participants To Vote For Theme
If Burning Man is truly a participant sponsored, participant created event then why not allow its participants to vote for and choose the event art theme each year? The Burning Man Project can suggest a few theme choices and then burners can vote for their favorite. Give people who attend Burning Man the freedom to create the theme so they are participating and creating the event experience in the most absolute sense.
Click here to sign a petition.