Spotted a burner in the wild
Showing posts with label Burning Seed. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Burning Seed. Show all posts
Red Earth Ecology video
My partner Jo runs and ecology walk at Burning Seed, which is the NSW regional Burning Man event.
This year we've decided to create a series of videos that visit the site through different seasons.
GEO//GRAPHOLOGY
One of the highlights of Burning Seed this year was seeing Red Earth Ecology establish itself on the paddock
Jo’s been developing this project for years, undertaking activities around Matong and introducing Burners to the local ecology.
I’ve seen the crowds for her bush walks grow and in that time she’s been joined by a number of people with expertise — particularly Brian Jones, Ash Blackwell, Diego Bonetto and Peter Ingram.
There’s a good level of interest from visitors wanting to know more about the environment in Matong State Forest and many years have seen additional walks added to the program.
This year we were awed to see around 60 people show up for the walk.
It was also exciting to see Jo’s art project start to take shape this year, after she struggled last year before being taken off site in an ambulance.
GEO//GRAPHOLOGY uses the Cut-up Technique to reveal hidden meaning from local histories and, as someone who has worked as a curator at a local museum, I feel there is a need for a fresh perspective in this area.
Orwell famously wrote that “history is written by the winners” and it’s increasingly clear to me that reconciliation in Australia will require a truth-telling, much like the hearings that took place in post-apartheid South Africa.
It’s desperately overdue as more Australians identify as Aboriginal.
Jo has been using the Cut-up Technique in local exhibitions for a number of years and it suits her conceptual approach to art-making.
It’s a great way to review and reinterpret historical narratives, hopefully prompting a reevaluation of meanings drawn from records — which at times used euphemisms to hide the extent of the Frontier Wars in the Riverina.
That’s a small part of a much bigger picture but an important one given the Wiradjuri drove almost all the Europeans out of the area west of Ganmain in the mid 19th Century.
Jo's activity of selecting fragments from histories and pasting them together is a social one.
Really enjoyed being part of the conversations and making art with friends.
Looking forward to seeing Red Earth Ecology continue to develop on and off the paddock.
Jo’s been developing this project for years, undertaking activities around Matong and introducing Burners to the local ecology.
I’ve seen the crowds for her bush walks grow and in that time she’s been joined by a number of people with expertise — particularly Brian Jones, Ash Blackwell, Diego Bonetto and Peter Ingram.
There’s a good level of interest from visitors wanting to know more about the environment in Matong State Forest and many years have seen additional walks added to the program.
This year we were awed to see around 60 people show up for the walk.
It was also exciting to see Jo’s art project start to take shape this year, after she struggled last year before being taken off site in an ambulance.
Orwell famously wrote that “history is written by the winners” and it’s increasingly clear to me that reconciliation in Australia will require a truth-telling, much like the hearings that took place in post-apartheid South Africa.
It’s desperately overdue as more Australians identify as Aboriginal.
It’s a great way to review and reinterpret historical narratives, hopefully prompting a reevaluation of meanings drawn from records — which at times used euphemisms to hide the extent of the Frontier Wars in the Riverina.
Jo's activity of selecting fragments from histories and pasting them together is a social one.
Looking forward to seeing Red Earth Ecology continue to develop on and off the paddock.
Planting natives in Matong
Matong was the site of a working-bee on the June long weekend, as local residents were joined by visitors to plant around 1200 native seedlings
Around two dozen people worked to develop the landscape at the park in town and surrounding properties, with a number travelling from Melbourne to lend a hand.
The initiative was a partnership between the Matong Community Group and Red Earth Ecology that was assisted by Coolamon Shire Council.
"This was the fifth event we've held in the Matong area since 2014," said Jo Roberts of Red Earth Ecology.
"Our landcare group started at Burning Seed, where I've run tours in the State Forest to help visitors recognise features in the local environment."
"Locals had knowledge to share, particularly the late Brian Jones, and we've revegetated paddocks, as well as undertaking weed removal at the Burning Seed site."
Sonya Spencer and Dave Currie's property has gained a number of treelots in previous years and Ms Roberts worked with them to coordinate the recent plantings.
"In recent years I've met a number of residents in Matong," said Jo Roberts.
"I was able to meet with them at their homes and identify native plants for their gardens and properties."
Locals were pleased to receive the plants from Red Earth Ecology.
"The enthusiasm of the community was demonstrated in their hard work and it will be exciting for visitors to see when they return for Burning Seed in spring," said Ms Roberts.
It was the first of a number of urban revegetation activities planned by the Matong Community Group and Red Earth Ecology.
Photos by Mal Evans and Sonya Spencer
The initiative was a partnership between the Matong Community Group and Red Earth Ecology that was assisted by Coolamon Shire Council.
"This was the fifth event we've held in the Matong area since 2014," said Jo Roberts of Red Earth Ecology.
"Our landcare group started at Burning Seed, where I've run tours in the State Forest to help visitors recognise features in the local environment."
"Locals had knowledge to share, particularly the late Brian Jones, and we've revegetated paddocks, as well as undertaking weed removal at the Burning Seed site."
Sonya Spencer and Dave Currie's property has gained a number of treelots in previous years and Ms Roberts worked with them to coordinate the recent plantings.
"In recent years I've met a number of residents in Matong," said Jo Roberts.
"I was able to meet with them at their homes and identify native plants for their gardens and properties."
Locals were pleased to receive the plants from Red Earth Ecology.
It was the first of a number of urban revegetation activities planned by the Matong Community Group and Red Earth Ecology.
My people
Last weekend we had a farewell for a couple of local burners who died late last year
Those deaths were in quick succession and otherwise unrelated, but the effect hit hard.
I stopped writing my daily haiku, which has been a practise for a couple of years now.
The event last weekend included burning a small effigy and catching up with people from the Burning Seed community.
It was rewarding in its own way to see so many open-hearted individuals without the usual craziness of Seed.
The result reminded me what a great community exists as a result of the burns and the gentle shape they're given with the ten principles.
Those deaths were in quick succession and otherwise unrelated, but the effect hit hard.
I stopped writing my daily haiku, which has been a practise for a couple of years now.
It was rewarding in its own way to see so many open-hearted individuals without the usual craziness of Seed.
Burn it all away
If I were Elton John, then Alicia Boyd might be my Bernie Taupin
I adore her writing, particularly the imagery and vulnerability.
When I was considering lyrics for a chord progression I'd found on my ukulele, I turned to her blog.
The piece that grabbed my interest described smudging, which is an activity my beloved has been indulging a lot lately.
Then I recorded myself singing Alicia's words:
The next day, I listened back and thought how unlikely those words sounded coming from my mouth.
So I decided to write lyrics that incorporated Alicia's writing, as well as my own experiences -- particularly the role of Burns, which is where I met Alicia.
Then I recorded a quick demo to hear how they sound:
This week I used this video for the Disquiet Junto project, which involved glitching.
I adore her writing, particularly the imagery and vulnerability.
When I was considering lyrics for a chord progression I'd found on my ukulele, I turned to her blog.
The piece that grabbed my interest described smudging, which is an activity my beloved has been indulging a lot lately.
Then I recorded myself singing Alicia's words:
The next day, I listened back and thought how unlikely those words sounded coming from my mouth.
So I decided to write lyrics that incorporated Alicia's writing, as well as my own experiences -- particularly the role of Burns, which is where I met Alicia.
Light the fire and fan the flame
I sense the heat to feel the pain
draw the smoke that fills the air
smudge the image that I wear
To hit the bare self underneath
cough while trying not the breathe
the sacred fire blurs our world
allows my spirit to unfurl
(Chorus)
Watch our world burn away
from ash we will grow again
in the embers in the coals
we know the spark that’s burning in our souls
Our bodies mask how we appear
look beyond the flesh veneer
know that I am your own kind
in my heart I do not mind
In the dark we’re free to dream
black charcoal makes us clean
naked branches without leaves
makes the space to grow new trees
(Chorus, first verse, chorus, end)
Then I recorded a quick demo to hear how they sound:
This week I used this video for the Disquiet Junto project, which involved glitching.
Cult classic
It was great to see kids simultaneously scared and curious, both wanting to know who it was and fearing the answer.
Recently I wore it at Burning Seed and it was the first time people stopped and asked to take a photo of my outfit.
One bloke lined up a beaut shot with the Temple lit behind me. He was a professional and the result on his camera was terrifying because I imagined it would appear in a magazine with the headline "DEATH CULT!"
Another guy delighted in pashing me in front of his friends because there was plastic preventing actual physical contact.
Burning Seed 2018
Once again Burning Seed was a wonderful experience shared with many friends
This year I didn't make many plans aside from supporting my partner, who'd committed to a few projects.
As a result I got to have a small part in the Forest Rising effigy led by Flamewriter Glenn Todd.
My role involved collecting soil and seedlings to make a garden at the base of this sculpture.
My partner Jo, through her role with Red Earth Ecology, worked on the murals that showed Wiradjuri seasons and fire management as well as local flora and fauna.
It looked incredible when the "puppet effect" was launched during the fire, see video below.
This year I didn't make many plans aside from supporting my partner, who'd committed to a few projects.
My partner Jo, through her role with Red Earth Ecology, worked on the murals that showed Wiradjuri seasons and fire management as well as local flora and fauna.
It looked incredible when the "puppet effect" was launched during the fire, see video below.
Grey Butcherbird melody
One of the recent Disquiet Junto activities was to recreate a favourite sound from memory
I chose the song of the Grey Butcherbird because it reminds me of waking up at Burning Seed.
This morning, Christmas 2017, I awoke to peachy colours and arose to collect my camera to photograph the sunrise.
It was nice to hear the Grey Butcherbird's taunt among the morning birdsong.
Hope you're enjoying the festive season.
I chose the song of the Grey Butcherbird because it reminds me of waking up at Burning Seed.
It was nice to hear the Grey Butcherbird's taunt among the morning birdsong.
Hope you're enjoying the festive season.
Postscript: I've learned the bird is actually a gerygone.
Glam And Cheese with Kimchi
The second toastie shared by Glam & Cheese sees Ash and Chase joined by Tania, who brings the spice.
Interstate guests for Remarkable Sandwiches
One of the highlights of Burning Seed this year was meeting the Glam n Cheese crew.
Chase and Ash of Glam n Cheese Toasties agreed to share their herb butter recipe.
Kraken comic
I find myself wrapping arms around people and then registering their surprised look.
Birthday Suit
In recent years my birthday has been part of going to Burning Seed.
It's been great when it's part of a big party, even the year when my birthday was preoccupied with setting up tents.
This year Seed was cancelled due to record rains in the Matong district.
On my birthday I found myself feeling disappointed and preoccupied myself with recording a chord progression that had caught my ear.
You can see I recorded a variety of parts while wearing the onesie I'd bought for Seed.
It's been great when it's part of a big party, even the year when my birthday was preoccupied with setting up tents.
This year Seed was cancelled due to record rains in the Matong district.
On my birthday I found myself feeling disappointed and preoccupied myself with recording a chord progression that had caught my ear.
You can see I recorded a variety of parts while wearing the onesie I'd bought for Seed.
Being a Ranger
It was at Modifyre in 2015 that I first donated my time to the Burner community as a Ranger.
I'd been approached by one of the organisers and asked how I was contributing to the event, which led to being allocated a shift on the Friday night.
When the time came my son was pacing around our campsite and clearly not ready to sleep, so I took him with me. It turned out to be a great decision as after our shift 'ranger-ing' he had completely changed his attitude toward Modifyre from "When are we going home?" to "Can we be Rangers again on Saturday night?"
The Lead Ranger on our first shift was Wonka, who had experience in the role from Burning Seed. He welcomed us and explained the role was primarily one that focused on duty-of-care. We walked around the event and kept an eye on ensuring that people behaved safely, while keeping in contact via two-way radio to report our observations and answer calls.
At Modifyre in 2016 I returned to ranger-ing and went through the training program that Koi and Girlface developed, as well as hearing more about the role from Platypus and Decker. It was surprisingly pleasing to hear my son introduce himself at the training session for first-time rangers as "the inaugural Modfiyre Junior Ranger" and receive applause.
I think it's great that Modifyre have roles for Junior Rangers because it's engaged my sons in the event by giving them a rewarding sense of purpose. While it means that I am required to accompany them on long walks around the campsite, it's also provided many memorable experiences.
Getting out and about on the paddock means we get to meet lots of people, who are generally appreciative that we're giving time to ensure their safety. I got called "fun police" when one person didn't like being reminded to stay behind a safety barrier at a burn but otherwise it was all positive.
The other thing I like is having a radio. It becomes part of the soundtrack to the event. It's one that's like accessing a director's commentary on a DVD as you hear about the behind-the-scenes activity. The insights provided are largely positive and, if there is something of concern, it's good to feel in-the-know and assist.
While I understand why some burn events may decide that Junior Rangers are not suited to the role, I think there is scope to develop a program for them. My eldest son is not yet a teen but has shown himself to be very effective at maintaining the safety perimeter for burns, as well as in the educational roles of informing campsites about their obligation to 'leave no trace'.
I'd like to see Burning Seed develop a Junior Ranger program that provides a highly visible hat to kids who, while accompanied by a responsible adult, undertake roles in promoting Burner principles and in maintaining the outer perimeter of burns.
I'd been approached by one of the organisers and asked how I was contributing to the event, which led to being allocated a shift on the Friday night.
When the time came my son was pacing around our campsite and clearly not ready to sleep, so I took him with me. It turned out to be a great decision as after our shift 'ranger-ing' he had completely changed his attitude toward Modifyre from "When are we going home?" to "Can we be Rangers again on Saturday night?"
The Lead Ranger on our first shift was Wonka, who had experience in the role from Burning Seed. He welcomed us and explained the role was primarily one that focused on duty-of-care. We walked around the event and kept an eye on ensuring that people behaved safely, while keeping in contact via two-way radio to report our observations and answer calls.
At Modifyre in 2016 I returned to ranger-ing and went through the training program that Koi and Girlface developed, as well as hearing more about the role from Platypus and Decker. It was surprisingly pleasing to hear my son introduce himself at the training session for first-time rangers as "the inaugural Modfiyre Junior Ranger" and receive applause.
Getting out and about on the paddock means we get to meet lots of people, who are generally appreciative that we're giving time to ensure their safety. I got called "fun police" when one person didn't like being reminded to stay behind a safety barrier at a burn but otherwise it was all positive.
The other thing I like is having a radio. It becomes part of the soundtrack to the event. It's one that's like accessing a director's commentary on a DVD as you hear about the behind-the-scenes activity. The insights provided are largely positive and, if there is something of concern, it's good to feel in-the-know and assist.
While I understand why some burn events may decide that Junior Rangers are not suited to the role, I think there is scope to develop a program for them. My eldest son is not yet a teen but has shown himself to be very effective at maintaining the safety perimeter for burns, as well as in the educational roles of informing campsites about their obligation to 'leave no trace'.
I'd like to see Burning Seed develop a Junior Ranger program that provides a highly visible hat to kids who, while accompanied by a responsible adult, undertake roles in promoting Burner principles and in maintaining the outer perimeter of burns.
Modifyre
Modifyre is the regional ‘burn’ event for Queensland. This year was the second it’s run and organisers were forced to find a new location at the last minute.
The result was a smaller-scale Australian Burning Man event with the extra novelty of flushing toilets and hot showers as the location was a campground near Lake Moogerah.
It was a beautiful venue with many local birds and a flowing creek under a spectacular rock-faced peak.
It must’ve been a blow to the organisers that their effigy for the burn was unable to be transported in time for the event.
The show went on but it was with some sacrifices, such as shortening to a three-day event.
One outcome of the adjusted schedule was holding a scaled-down effigy burn on Friday night and the Temple burn on Saturday night.
It was interesting to see Police visit the site on Saturday night and find the crowd hushed for a quiet burn. They seemed to take a quick look around and drove out again.
I had a great time at Modifyre and appreciate many aspects of their approach to burning. I’ve heard that the missing effigy was again a bug, this time a bee. The Temple was designed as a hive and the insect theme follows the butterfly from last year.
Both burns featured fire-twirling and again it looked amazing.
Seeing the effigy lit with a flamethrower also looked spectacular.
The Dirty Birds theme camp also had a flamethrower on the paddock, which was shaped to resemble a flamingo.
As for theme camps, Detox’s Third Aid signs were parked in the middle of quiet camping. The whiskey bar with ducks in the name was popular at the quiet end and The Wonky Queenslander were blasting in the top paddock with a bigger sound system and another great line-up of DJs.
My contribution to the event was a few shifts as a ranger and another thing I like about Modifyre is that they have roles for junior rangers, as my sons enjoy the opportunity to get involved.
I was also impressed with the ‘green card’ system for showing which campers were leaving without a trace. It was also a parting gift with the homemade paper of the card holding seeds for a native plant. I had a similar idea a while ago, so it seems brilliant to me.
Modifyre might have stumbled thanks to a local authority tripping up organisers but the result was still a successful burn.
It must’ve been a blow to the organisers that their effigy for the burn was unable to be transported in time for the event.
It was interesting to see Police visit the site on Saturday night and find the crowd hushed for a quiet burn. They seemed to take a quick look around and drove out again.
As for theme camps, Detox’s Third Aid signs were parked in the middle of quiet camping. The whiskey bar with ducks in the name was popular at the quiet end and The Wonky Queenslander were blasting in the top paddock with a bigger sound system and another great line-up of DJs.
My burning idea
It’s a longing felt on return to our “real” lives, after the joy of being surrounded by people partying and embracing the 10 principles as a way of life.
It’s no wonder that “decompression” events are popular in many cities to reunite Burners but how else might we stoke the flames that are kindled with each Burn?
In the following I’ll outline a few thoughts and propose a way to promote the principles in our lives.
For many attending a Burn it is a transformative experience. Transformative experiences are sometimes described as Rites of Passage and traditionally mark a shift such as that from childhood to adulthood. The term is an Anglicisation of rite de passage, which was the title of an influential work by Arnold van Gennep.
Gennep identified three phases in a rite of passage: separation, liminality and incorporation.
Attending a Burn requires travel, which separates us from our daily lives. Liminality is often associated with an inversion of norms and I suggest that experiences at a Burn fit this description, whether it’s one of a range of activities or simply experiencing the gift economy.
For me the gift economy was a pivotal moment at my first Burn and one I’ve observed in others. That moment when you’re surprised by being given something creates good will and a desire to return the favour. Such unbalanced reciprocity is usually only is shown between people who already have a close relationship and has the effect of breaking down barriers between attendees at a Burn event.
It seems to me that Burn events would benefit from recognition of the last of the three stages: incorporation.
The traditional view of rites of passage, such as customs for recognising adulthood, saw the experience as fundamental to human growth. A child would leave their family, undergo a custom that reinforced key beliefs of their society and return to their people, who would recognise that a transformation had taken place.
The final step of incorporation is obviously not something we can expect from our “real” lives but it is one that can be promoted at a Burn event. At present those attending a Burn are greeted but often not farewelled and I think this would be a beneficial addition.
What I propose is that a group of ‘farewellers’ would encourage Burners to take the positivity of their experience back into their communities, particularly the gift economy.
I think an ideal mechanism for this would be farewellers arming each Burner with a variety of vegetable seeds and encouraging them to grow produce for a meal to share with their neighbours as a way of building their local networks and continuing to incorporate the Burner principles in our lives.
The idea would be that Burners go home, grow food and invite their neighbours over for a meal. This would encourage the growth of local communities, building trust and support among those who are geographically close to us.
This would promote some of the 10 principles in our ‘real’ lives and, I hope in doing so, keep the flame alive after the Burn.
Modifyre
When I first attended Burning Seed there were a few hundred people. Then when I last attended Burning Seed there were a few thousand people. So it was fun to attend the Queensland regional burn event, Modifyre, earlier this month with only a few hundred. Above are some highlights.
Burning Seed 2014
Australia's version of Burning Man took place outside Matong last weekend. It was my third time at Burning Seed and once again I helped Kids Camp.
The event continues to grow, with ticket sales reaching their limit of just under two and a half thousand. Kids Camp has also grown, with around 60 people joining us this year. I ran a cinema again and there was a beaut project that created a giant bunyip puppet, which toured the site ahead of the effigy burn on Saturday night.
I didn't experience much of Seed this year, aside from the Brewery and the Kettle and the Temple burn. The Red Earth City Brewery served many exceptional beers and ciders and I had too many. The Kettle provided a gentle spot to enjoy a very big selection of teas.
The Temple was a phenomenal structure this year and the burn also looked remarkable. The fire spun into a vortex at times, creating a burning whirly-whirly. As the remains smouldered, the smoke also spun into the shape of a smallish twister as the audience cooed.
Warm weather may have contributed to increased nudity this year. There were more people going without clothes.
Mobile sound systems were a great addition to the event, bringing the party soundtrack to various events around the site. I wasn't impressed with one of these stages collecting my child without permission, taking them from Kids Camp to the Brewery.
There are no images to share as I made a decision not to take a camera this year. It's something I'd planned to do last year, then was asked to help a local newspaper. The decision was helped this year by formalities introduced by Seed, seeking approval of images before their use. My feeling is that this isn't appropriate for an event that relies on a community but I understand their reasoning and desire to protect the "radical self-expression" of people at the event. So this dude abides.
The event continues to grow, with ticket sales reaching their limit of just under two and a half thousand. Kids Camp has also grown, with around 60 people joining us this year. I ran a cinema again and there was a beaut project that created a giant bunyip puppet, which toured the site ahead of the effigy burn on Saturday night.
I didn't experience much of Seed this year, aside from the Brewery and the Kettle and the Temple burn. The Red Earth City Brewery served many exceptional beers and ciders and I had too many. The Kettle provided a gentle spot to enjoy a very big selection of teas.
The Temple was a phenomenal structure this year and the burn also looked remarkable. The fire spun into a vortex at times, creating a burning whirly-whirly. As the remains smouldered, the smoke also spun into the shape of a smallish twister as the audience cooed.
Warm weather may have contributed to increased nudity this year. There were more people going without clothes.
Mobile sound systems were a great addition to the event, bringing the party soundtrack to various events around the site. I wasn't impressed with one of these stages collecting my child without permission, taking them from Kids Camp to the Brewery.
There are no images to share as I made a decision not to take a camera this year. It's something I'd planned to do last year, then was asked to help a local newspaper. The decision was helped this year by formalities introduced by Seed, seeking approval of images before their use. My feeling is that this isn't appropriate for an event that relies on a community but I understand their reasoning and desire to protect the "radical self-expression" of people at the event. So this dude abides.
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