That’s a respectable response, But…

BM has existed since 1986! and one could argue that it,s impact on bay area culture has been microscopic, if not unregisterable… ( at least in terms of off-the-party map)

While on the other hand, one can clearly trace a serious decline in “free space” ( refering to a variety of levels from physical space to social and political and behavioral phenomena) in San Francisco over those years, which is certainly not attributable to BM anymore than it would be to any one specific trend in, lets call it, “entertainment culture”.

But examined as a whole, there is perhaps little that translates from this experimental community to our everyday existence, possibly because it seems, in concept, almost still entirely invested in the rock concert formula or Vacation Bubble, i.e. a Las Vegas for art and party pagans.

One example of its “trickle down to reality”, and certianly this is not a comprehensive view but a trigger for further thinking and analysis, might be BM’s efforts this year to save Ocean Beach for public use and building fire pits. Well it,s a nice creative gesture, but given that it “recruits” up to 35,000 people a year, which at an average ticket price of 200, has the potential to collect 7 million dollars a year -well that’s miniscule funds in terms of social projects – but in terms of time and people power this could be considered an extraordinary LACK of return.

Returns?! We’re talking about a festival! Since when does a festival seek social return?? Well if the migration is truly to a new formula of culture, and hell knows we NEED it, that’s a question we might start asking…

And perhaps what is most depressing in this picture is there doesn’t really appear to be any serious platform for expanding the community dialogue, much less acting, around these issues, maybe cause everybody’s too busy organizing their ephemeral camps for the dustbowl. Maybe cause BM is in danger of realizing itself as in fact an “ADVERTISING AGENCY”… for further americana-esque oblivion ??

Sure, there’s potential for cross-pollination, to strengthen community, etc, but the more it sheds its counter culture roots the more its going to look like a suburb and RV park for baked out Rolling Stones 3-d grizzled museum artifacts and amusement park turn-stylists.

I,m sure there’d be a great Baudrillard quote to drop here, but tried that before, i think everyone here is too busy looking at themselves in BM coffee table books bought on Amazon.com

I agree that we should be careful to not use up our resources in the desert, but creativity is not limited – it is strengthened through practice and cross-pollination. While creativity can be drained by a job in advertising, it will be fortified by participation in community.

Just in case anyone didn’t yet notice, no one LIVES at Burning Man. It’s a 2-3 week city that might as well be Disneyland with a frat boy, frat girl art orgy theme… or an extended acid trip in a gated americana community, which might be a nice shopping ritual of freedom in itself, but remember you will return home to a culture on a global crash course …Would you like fries and a soda with that?

As a friend from Journal of Aesthetics And Protest said recently, BM SUCKS THE LIBIDINAL ECONOMY FROM OUR REAL CITIES, and then laughed that there will eventually be a protest movement with signs that read ” DO YOUR DRUGS WHERE YOU LIVE ! ”

Todd not to disillusion you or anyone else entirely from trying to connect arts with purpose, but attempting to make purposeful art (i.e.social change and liberation) at BM is a bit like trying to encourage an addicted gambler at Vegas to spend his wad on tantric sex instead, or instructing the Nero crowd at the fall of the Roman Empire to eat vegan.

As the reps on KALW said: the shit’s mainstream… and about as connected to Radical Art and Nature as the new promo poster for an over-priced vacation at Magic Mountain. Speaking of which, this new poster looks like someone’s trying to reconnect with a Farah Fawcett fantasy hell from the 70s.

Humanity vs. Nature
Art Exhibit at Toad’s
With food and wine specials.
Followed by a bonfire.

When:
Friday, July 20, 6:30pm – 10:30pm
Where:
Toad’s
1499 Valencia St
San Francisco, CA
(415) 648-8623
Cost:
Free

What/Why:
What is the relationship between humanity and nature?

This is the question that we keep getting faced with – whether we’re devotees of Al Gore or we’re preparing for the “Green Man” Burning Man. Come see some art that will help you figure it out.

Toad’s will be featuring a special on new dishes paired with new wines.
The night will end with a backyard bonfire – don’t miss it!

Featuring art by Kevin Haas, Nicole Cameron, Deanna Leiphart, Jessica Stafford and Todd Berman.