Note: Indiegogo won't release the funds until after this piece is made (debuts in only 2 weeks!). So we're asking people to send their donations, directly to paypal at rikochirito@gmail.com as friends and family. Thank you! Read on.
Short Summary
Thank you for taking the time to read our fundraising proposal, we are excited to announce that we have been accepted to bring a one-of-a-kind experience to the LoveBurn festival in Miami! This campaign is to raise funds to produce an Interactive Art Installation called "Doorways to the Multiverse." Your contribution will help us bring this sculpture to the beach! Read on for more details!
The LoveBurn is a magical happening where participants gather to experience one main aspect of life, their uttermost freedom! At the Loveburn you can express yourself freely and meet others on the same journey. The yearly festival features an eclectic assortment of art, music, and interactive activities that you will keep in your memories for years to come. In truth, this isn't a really good description for the LoveBurn. It is much more than that. It is a place to connect, to explore, to dance, and discover a world outside of time. (Find out more about theloveburn.org here.)
The Loveburn is a regional slice of the greater Burning Man Festival community. Burners pride themselves in bringing some of the best most breathtaking art pieces to life. They do so by following the 10 Principles of Burning Man, one of which brings everything together, "Participation". Everyone is bringing something to the table or is able to contribute in a different way. This year, my team and I are bringing a new installation to the Playa. Moreover, we are shooting to create this piece to reach the main event in September, and would like to Debut first at the LoveBurn! Your donation will go to cover the costs of this art piece, transportation, storage, materials, maintenance, and preservation. Be part of this awesome production, make a contribution today!
About the Artwork:
"Doorways to the Multiverse"
Imagine encountering a door... You walk closer and on this door, there is a mirror. You see your face covered in dust. It's you. Or at least a version of you, one on a journey.
You notice a doorknob. Intuitively, you open the door and walk-in. You are now entering through a portal...
Across from you, you see another door with yet another mirror. A sign above it tells you, "Close the door behind you". You do, and discover you are now between two mirrors. Both doors reflect each other with infinite reflections, and you see yourself and the multiverse within you. The many, replica, repeating infinitely, symbolizing your true essence, your infinite self. You open the next door and close it behind you, only to see pieces of different sized mirrors. Each reflecting a different perspective.
"Doorways to the Multiverse" makes the participant part of the art and enter literal portals into the multiverse.
Whether alone or with friends, people will able to get a good look at who they are, how they look and allow for deep realizations. Their personas, costumes, and masks will be visible to them at the perfect part of their journey.
This piece supports the theme of Burning Man this year (the Multiverse) and makes for a physical representation of the infinity of the multiverse and its different layers, all starting with your individual perspective.
What is the philosophy of this piece?
Reflection. When you get to see yourself in the mirror, you get to know yourself better. You have the opportunity to have a conversation with yourself. You have the opportunity to take care of yourself, whether it is grooming, or emotional maintenance. This piece gives you a quick look. The reason it is perfect for the playa is because it lets you see the landscape from a totally new vantage point, with you in it. I see it has a momentary portrait of your time in the playa. How do we connect to a multiverse that we can't see? We make it visible, we make it interactive, we give the people a chance to experience themselves being infinite, with something so simple, that they'll be able to remember it every time they go in between two mirrors.
About the Artist:
Riko Chirito is a Miami based artist and producer. He's been creating experiences and events for the community involving artists and creatives. In 2015 he started a non-profit called Waking Hearts, where he organized hundreds of local artists to perform, showcase, and present their art forms in community grassroots events. After this project, Riko moved into the healing arts space, where he has been practicing to master the art of Thai Vedic Healing. Since then, he's organized workshops and lectures at festivals like Burning Man, LoveBurn and Tribal Gathering. This project will be his return to the art world, for more art to come.
What We Need & What You Get
We need funds to cover the costs of the art piece and to get it to both Burns. This includes, materials, labor, tools, storage, maintenance, troubleshooting, insurance, and secure transportation.
As you know, you will be contributing to this art piece as a Patron of the Arts. If you haven't donated to the production of an art piece, this is a good place to start.
For all donations of $50 or more I will carve or laser imprint your name on the piece, you as a Patron. So yes your name will be immortalized and taken to the playa for years to come!
The Impact
Here's an excerpt of what this art piece represents:
Found in the desert, two decorated and fully-functional doors are furnished with mirrors on both sides. They face each other and provide a perspective into both of the participants' outer and inner self. These reflections allow for a real-life experience of the infinity that is the multiverse.
"This project will be my debut as an artist at a large festival. I have organized artists for years to exhibit art at events produced by me, this time around, I am designing this piece and ensuring it's presented at these two burns! I can't do it alone, I need the help of the community. As an incentive, if this piece ever sells, I will use the money to revive my non-profit and continue to support artists in our communities." - Riko Chirito
Risks & Challenges
We are taking the risks of paying for the work out of pocket, and we are raising funds to expand on the quality of the design. Right now our budget only permits us to do a very simple, rather flimsy version of it, with your help we will be able to create a strong and stable piece ready to take on the challenges of being an outside interactive piece.
- From the Burning Man website: "Creating art on the playa of Black Rock City is like no canvas or gallery that you may have ever experienced before. The challenges are many. You must consider the extreme physical conditions of the desert, the logistics of transporting building materials and equipment to this remote desert site, and the difficulty of maintaining tools and equipment in a place that has no service grid or ready market of resources."
Basically we will have to prepare for a very difficult journey to get the piece to Burning Man, this is why your donation will come in handy, it will give us the funds to secure the art piece, transport it, and get it back home to exhibit in more places!
Other Ways You Can Help
Please share with people who would like to support incredible art projects or would like to see this come to life!
And that's all there is to it. Donate now!