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The Giant Weta at Burning Man 2016 & Kiwiburn 2017

A giant flame shooting insect which will travel the globe from New Zealand to USA and back!

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The Giant Weta at Burning Man 2016 & Kiwiburn 2017

The Giant Weta at Burning Man 2016 & Kiwiburn 2017

The Giant Weta at Burning Man 2016 & Kiwiburn 2017

The Giant Weta at Burning Man 2016 & Kiwiburn 2017

The Giant Weta at Burning Man 2016 & Kiwiburn 2017

A giant flame shooting insect which will travel the globe from New Zealand to USA and back!

A giant flame shooting insect which will travel the globe from New Zealand to USA and back!

A giant flame shooting insect which will travel the globe from New Zealand to USA and back!

A giant flame shooting insect which will travel the globe from New Zealand to USA and back!

Hippathy Valentine
Hippathy Valentine
Hippathy Valentine
Hippathy Valentine
4 Campaigns |
Auckland, New Zealand
$7,757 USD 79 backers
64% of $12,000 Flexible Goal Flexible Goal
Highlights
Mountain Filled 4 Projects Mountain Filled 4 Projects

Established through a 2016 Burning Man  Honoraria art grant, The Giant Weta is an interactive Black Rock City build project from New Zealand which will bring a large steel weta to Burning Man, Kiwiburn and beyond.

Older than some dinosaurs, the endangered Giant Weta needs your help! Not known for it’s beauty, the world’s heaviest insect is heading to the Burning Man Playa this year as an art project led by Auckland Burners.

To craft it out of metal, create flame effects shooting from its antennae, transport it there, and then back for Kiwiburn, we need your support!

Who are we?

Auckland Burners is a group of Kiwiburners from New Zealand’s largest city who meet fortnightly throughout the year to share ideas. As a collective, they have collaborated to select, design and build an interactive art piece to take to Burning Man,Nevada, in 2016. The group is led by Hippathy Valentine - a Burning Man Regional Contact and artist. Hippathy is most well known for his work on the Temple for Christchurch, a temple built in a civic environment to commemorate the 2011 Canterbury Earthquakes.

Long-time Auckland burner Andrew Benson brought forth the idea for the Weta, and is a co-creator of one of Kiwiburn’s first art car the Flaming Tea Cup. Kiwiburn is New Zealand’s Burning Man Regional event, now in it’s 14th year, it is held annually near Hunterville in the North Island. .

The group were keen to build a uniquely New Zealand structure to take to Burning Man. The Giant Weta is native to NZ (their genus name, Deinacrida, is Greek for “fierce grasshopper”). Also endangered, they are examples of island gigantism. The uniqueness of the insect along with the interactivity incorporated into the Artwork will enable participants to connect with a part of New Zealand whilst on the Burning Man playa.

Where's the money going?

The money raised in this crowdfunding campaign will be used for:
  • Steel for constructing the weta
  • Shipping costs to the USA
  • Rental costs for our build space
  • Consumables for the build e.g. welding wire, grinding disks and bandsaw blades


The bigger picture...

Build spaces such as NIMBY in Oakland or The Generator in Reno are what us Auckland Burners have been dreaming about. This project is the catalyst to start our own such space.

Through this project we have managed to secure a lease on a building in Central Auckland.This project will be the first of many, as we finally have a space to build and create in.

By supporting this project you are supporting an ever evolving ecosystem of artists in Auckland. We hope that this project shows people what is possible, providing space and tools for more projects to come.

Other ways you can help

If you can't afford to donate to our campaign here's how you can help:

  • Spread the word! Share the link to this Indiegogo and get you're friends talking about this project.
  • Volunteer: We're currently building this project in Auckland, New Zealand and need crew to help us. Fill in this form for details on how to volunteer.
  • Tools: Got any spare tools laying around needing a home? We can find them one!
  • Run a fundraising event: Got time but no money? Get in touch we can work together to get something going!

But what is Burning Man?

Once a year, tens of thousands of people gather in Nevada, USA’s Black Rock Desert (also known as “the playa”) to create Black Rock City, a temporary metropolis dedicated to community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance. They depart one week later, having left no trace whatsoever.


Right, so what’s Kiwiburn then?

Kiwiburn is New Zealand’s annual regional Burning Man event. It is the longest running international regional burn and saw 1,600 participants in 2016. The theme for the 2017 event is “The Robots are Coming!” and is set to be an amazing event.


Rewards

Hip flask


Artists impression


T-shirt


Artists impression


Artists impression

Hoodie

Artists impression


Artists impression

Looking for more information? Check the project FAQ
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Choose your Perk

Postcard of Final Creation

$20 USD
Straight from the playa itself (or photo at least) the finished Weta in its glory printed and posted to you, personally addressed from our Burner crew! Hand held appreciation for your contribution.
Estimated Shipping
September 2016
10 claimed
Ships worldwide.

Giant Weta’s Hero board

$50 USD
Can’t get to the Playa this year? Let our crew represent you by getting your name featured on our ‘Hero board’. We will proudly display your name with our other ‘Heros’ on a panel of the Giant Weta itself – be our Hero! + Postcard
Estimated Shipping
September 2016
5 claimed

Custom Weta Hip Flask

$100 USD
Need to have a tipple while you steer in to the weta's eyes? This custom engraved Giant Weta hip flask will do just the trick!
Estimated Shipping
August 2016
6 claimed
Ships to United States of America, New Zealand

Giant Weta T-Shirt

$200 USD
You know what you'd look cool wearing? A limited edition Giant Weta t-shirt! Be the envy of all of your friends while rocking this super cool Limited Edition t-shirt.
Estimated Shipping
August 2016
3 out of 30 of claimed
Ships to United States of America, New Zealand

Giant Weta Hoodie

$300 USD
A T-shirt's not enough to keep you warm? How about a limited edition Giant Weta Hoodie? Keep warm in winter, our Giant Weta's got your back. Limited Edition.
Estimated Shipping
August 2016
0 out of 30 of claimed
Ships to United States of America, New Zealand

Brunch in the Belly of a Beast

$1,000 USD
For your generous contribution we will host a picnic or brunch especially for you and your crew on the BRC Playa from inside the Giant Weta itself! Select a day during Burning Man 2016 and feast from within the interactive art piece (dietary arrangements to be made upon donation). Let us cater to you and yours in our indigenous New Zealand creature!
0 out of 1 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

Giant Weta Gin Bar

$3,000 USD
Let us host YOU! This generous contribution will have our crew host yours for 2 hours at Burnning Man 2016 at - and in - the Giant Weta itself! We will provide the bar, the tunes, and mostly importantly our impeccable service! Party like an ancient indigenous creature on behalf of our much appreciative Giant Weta crew.
0 out of 1 of claimed
Ships worldwide.

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