Who we are
Hello! We are a very diverse team of Russians. Some of us work at a cinema, other fight forest fires. There are street artists and engineers; some even don’t bother working at all and live in a ceiling cabinet… What brings us together is our shared perception of the world, which has inspired us to create our artwork - Zarya.
We set big goals, some of them exceeding the length of human life. Perhaps that’s why our project was among the 70 winners of the Black Rock Honoraria Program this year. Their grant has helped us a lot and we built our carousel in Russia. Now it’s time to move on together so we will be grateful for your support!
What we do
Zarya (Aurora) - is a manually driven carousel, breathing out fire and smoke. The energy of the human motor magically transforms into creativity and joy overwhelming the people on the platform, making them feel sincere, free and light-hearted, travelling them back into the happy days of childhood.
The carousel looks rough and cinematic; it is covered by rust and stains, it is embroidered by charred woodwork and charming crack patterns. But all these do not frighten but cast a magic spell!
And when Zarya is set in motion and light and sounds are on – everything around fills up with irresistible vital energy, drive and euphoria. You can’t stop it unless you stop the spinning. But you actually don’t need this, as the platform moves at a reasonable speed and it is easy to keep the balance for the easy riders. Driving the carousel takes quite light physical inputs. When twisted, the installation flashes in clouds of smoke and shoots fire into the sky.
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Why we need your money
We have assembled the carousel and it’s already travelling across the Atlantics on a ship, packed together with its charming beasts. They are sleeping calmly in the 27-feet container and we envy them as we can not afford this privilege until we find the remaining $12500 to make it all happen.
Two-way ticket to the blues
Bringing Zarya to Playa with the following withdrawal from Black Rock City costs $10000. We have already paid the first increment – $2000 for the naval freight - and $8000 is due. We can’t burn this object as there’s nothing to burn (mainly metal parts), nor can we abandon or sell it, as this is the only happy place in the word as we know it.
Gimme fuel, gimme fire, gimme that which I desire!
Our kid is quite insatiable. It drinks gasoline and breathes propane, so we will need 110 gallons of gas and 70 gallons of propane along with storage tanks. Also, Zarya can’t get by without electricity, which helps it glow, sound and emit smokes. The food for the carousel would cost $1500.
Smoke on the rotor...
Zarya boasts quite a post-apocalyptic appearance. Covered with smoke puffs, it looks like a celestial castle. Or, living by its name, a sundawn. Three smoke machines working together will make our carousel stand on the soil of Playa and float in the sky above at the same time. Just try to imagine this! Liquid smoke would take further $600.
...And fire in the sky
There is a 22-foot mast on the carousel. It spits out fire 6 feet above, making the fire tongue of Zarya. We will need to ensure its absolute safety for the Burning Man people. Hoses, valves, controllers, fire extinguishers and the like would cost $1200.
So rock me mama like a wagon wheel
The carousel will need extra heavy-duty wheels. Concealed under the skirt of the carousel, these move it along the circle rail. These wheels are actually the whales carrying the world around the carousel. You do know what the sand of Playa is like, don't you? So for Zarya to survive the Burning Man, it would require spare wheels, at least six of them. Another $800.
Shine on you crazy diamond
Zarya consists of two principal parts. The carousel itself and the actuator assembly with the manual driving handle. So far, there has been an incredibly marvellous illumination of the main part of the caroussel, while the other section is bare. It should be lit with neon and lamps for eye appeal and safety. In our humble count it must be 400$.
What our project may bring to you
Join us in having fun around Zarya. Anyone is free to twist it.
In fact, Zarya can become what you want it to be. Musicians will be happy playing on a circle-shaped rotating stage with the sound of music reaching out all around. Dance lovers will catch their moment of glory on a steampunk-style dancing pylon. Kids will get just crazy riding the charming wooden beasts. Actors, poets, standup comedians will hijack ovations in the smoke and fire scenery. The overall euphoria in the surroundings will be spiced by the genuine lamp funk of the 60s and 70s, together with joy, drive and hugs.
Please, join us at the Burning Man 2019. Let's twist the carousel together!
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Key concept
The main underlying idea of the project is post-apocalyptic utopia. The idea of a happy future. Zarya is the Russian name for aurora, or sun dawn. This is the beginning of a new chapter of life.The carousel represents a magic land which has somehow survived a global disaster. No boundaries exist here between fantasy and reality, childhood and maturity, instance and eternity. And it is where the happiness lives. There is no difference between givers and takers, between those who twist the carousel and those who ride it. They exist together as a whole.
Risks. Our plan in case we fail to raise the necessary amount
Dear friends. Most of us have never visited the Burning Man. So everything that is to happen will be just cool. We do have some experience in travel, expeditions and festivals, but this is going to be our first time of bringing our art to the Burning Man. We bet you know what we mean….))
If we dont raise the needed sum, we will just take our favorite perks - bottles, glasses, and a corkscrew - and will make our favorite The First Timer cocktail.
How else you can help
We will be very grateful if:
You are a blogger and you share a repost of our campaign
-you are a journalist and you make a catching story about us
-you are an art patron and you contact us directly
You know people who know people who know whom to let know so that everyone knows about our campaign
-you have a van or a car in California which you would like to share with us.
-you can give us a shelter in Los-Angeles from 10 to 17 July
- you have any other helpful ideas and let us know
Conclusion
When we learned about Zarya winning a grant from the BLACK ROCK HONORARIA PROGRAM we were very happy to gain recognition from the world's most renowned festival. Given that only one member if our team has visited the Burning Man, we are poised to face many difficulties. But we are ready to stand up to them! And we will twist our carousel together with you at the Burning Man 2019.
Please, join us on this endeavor.
Thank you for your support!
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