Burning Man Flambe Lounge: Burnal Equinox 2013

On Saturday, March 2, 2013, Burning Man presents their annual celebratory event: Flambe Lounge, the Burnal Equinox 2013. It is a 21+ event which begins at 7 PM and goes until 3 AM at Public Works in San Francisco, California.

“Technology as Savior” is the 2013 theme for this event:

Through a multitude of technological devices we have expanded our sense of what is real, what is possible, how we relate and what we find gratifying. We can text one another instantaneously across oceans, meet online and converse with groups of strangers at any given moment about the trajectory of asteroids, express our opinions to political leaders via on-line petitions, and expand our social network of “friends” seemingly without limit! We watch reality shows about other people’s lives and create virtual versions of ourselves as we fly through the Interwebs in enhanced real-time. Miraculous devices have become so ingrained in who we are, how we work, think and relate that we could not imagine life without them or the immediacy and satisfaction they offer. And why would we?! Technology is SAVING our economy and way of life, even as it reinvents everything! That is its magic! That is the miracle! It reinvents itself and our relationship with it in mysterious and accelerating ways! There is no problem Technology cannot help with. Nothing Technology cannot and will not do to enhance our lives and save us from any number of impending destructions! Technology WILL SAVE US, even as it helps us relate to one another in better and more convenient ways!

It is magic AND salvation! Or is it an addictive form of social euphoria? Maybe both.

This Burnal Equinox theme contemplates our relationship to the devices we love and to that grand trixter, creator and savior, Technology—as it relates to our changing sense of reality and relationships.

At this Flambe Lounge we encourage playful consideration about YOUR relationship to technology and one another. How did people say “hello” 20, 200 and 2000 years ago and how did their technologies help? And what of future technologies? What potential do they offer for saving the human race from global warming, economic collapse and death itself? What will become of humanity and the essential experiences that make us “human” once we have merged with Technology?

poster art by eggchairsteve