The Artist
Dave Gertler is a San Francisco based engineer and artist. An avid burner and lover of all things Black Rock City, he has participated in the creation of art cars and installantions over the last eight years. This year, his team has been awarded a grant from the Burning Man Arts Council to build Hands.
About Hands
Hands is a structural re-creation of human anatomy. It is a symbol of our human nature to discover, create, and uphold. Our hands are a primary means of self expression and are of particular interest to our group since many of our livelihoods depend on creation. Our hands are also a symbol of our personal journeys, survival and creation throughout history. It is our goal to create an uplifting sensation for participants through the structural pose of these magnified hands and evoke interaction with them and one another.
The position of two hands facing each other in a lotus-like pose mirrors the symmetry of our bodies. This installation could have been one hand, but so often one hand held upright generally signifies rebellion, defiance, or some other harsh action. At the very least, seeing one hand so pronounced may beg the question, where is the other hand? Two hands represents some of the basic principles of Black Rock City, suggesting togetherness, teamwork, unity and the act of giving and receiving.
The concept of organic human anatomy becomes evident through a structure of artificial geometry, made of a square grid of wood panels to form human hands. Sensation is evident in pulses of light which are intrinsic and alien at the same time. The cupping of the hands facing one another further encourages the feeling of togetherness and places an emphasis on the act of holding or offering. The artificial elements of construction come to show that our desires and possessions are beyond our nature and yet embody who we are.
In order for the full vision of our project to come to fruition, we need to fundraise an additional $2,000. We are asking for support through various channels, including throwing a benefit party for Hands in San Francisco. We hope to achieve at the very least, an amount of $500 through our online campaign. Your funds will help us buy quality materials for building purposes, secure a good work space, and also help us transport Hands to Black Rock city safely and efficiently.
To thank you for your support (minimum $25), we will gift you with a pentagon shaped wooden medallion with an image of hands in its upright position, holding this years Man, designed by Dave Gertler. Backers that offer $100 or more will receive a high quality metal medallion of the same image.
Dimensions
- 12' high off the ground
- 24' across from the tip of the middle fingers
- each finger is approx. 1.5' x4'
- top of each hand is approx. 5' x 7'
Materials
- 40 sheets of 4' x 8 x 0.75" thick birch plywood
- each hand includes a 10' diameter welded steel base weighing approx. 500 lbs.
Illumination
At night, Hands will be illuminated by hundreds of multi-colred LED lights which glow vibrantly from the core of the structure. They are sequenced in patterns which will change based on participant interactions through a sensory triggering system.
Please spread the word about Hands:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/handsburningman
Blog: http://handsburningman.blogspot.com/