Comments on: Theater in a Crowded Fire

By: Andrew R Long

Andrew R Long — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 02:39:25 +0000

Lee,
Thank you for your post on Burning Man on Frequencies (http://freq.uenci.es/2011/09/27/burning-man/). It made my night. It was the most poetic and intellectual thorough piece on the spiritual aspects of Burning Man I have read to date. It has caused me great struggle to articulate what you achieved so well in such a short span of words.
My hat is off to you sir.
Andrew R Long

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By: Taariq

Taariq — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 12:50:47 +0000

I have being following burning man online and I have a suggestion. Bring Burning Man to South Africa!! It seems truly amazing. You guys are extremely lucky to experience it. http://blog.essentialtravel.co.uk/burning-man-gets-a-double-rainbow.html- burning man rainbow

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By: Marco Mazzoni

Marco Mazzoni — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 18:24:55 +0000

A Contribution and a Critique…

As a long time citizen of Black Rock City (missed only 2 years from 1995 to 2010), I look forward to reading this book. I specifically tried to inject some more ritual into my activities relating to the festival while part of the “Man Crew”. I took scraps from the build of the Burning Man figure and had them branded. I called these talismans ‘builder’s blocks’ and suggested that the crew distribute them as special gifts with a specific set of instructions. The recipient should carry the block around with them during the even and after the actual burn, throw the block into the firey remains of the Man while uttering the following ‘incantation’ as it were “What came from the Man, I give back to the Man.”

I’m not sure if those directions actually accompanied the blocks, or if they were actually followed, but it was a fun ‘performance art’ project none the less.

Now the Critique…

I’m sure the book will be an enjoyable read, but I’m surprised that in this day and age of total information overload, the picture on page 31 of the sample chapter fails to credit the artists responsible for the two vehicles. The Seattle theme camp Flight to Mars is well known on the Playa and a simple call out for the identity of the responsible parties would have turned up that info. http://www.flight2mars.com/

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By: sara

sara — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 23:06:04 +0000

Hi there…I just wanted to suggest a different take on all of this with a newer book of inspiration. I recently happened across it, and I must say…it’s changing my life. “Being Ourself” by Ty Clement is so much more than just about being yourself, it’s about being one with all that is, what Clement calls “Ourself”. This book is inviting, stimulating, inspirational and awe inspiring…I’ve read all the others, and this one begins where they all leave off. Anyway, if your inclined, look for it on Amazon…it’s there, and it’s worth buying. For everyone you know. :o ) Peace!

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By: Roxanne Yeganegy

Roxanne Yeganegy — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 13:15:56 +0000

Hi Lee, thanks for the book recommendation – I am currently reading your PhD thesis (which I purchased online through COPAC for around 40 dollars – I hope you will have received some percentage for that?!). Your thesis is really interesting – and useful to me, because I’m writing a chapter on Burning Man for my own thesis which looks at the influence of Burning Man on Boutique festival culture in the UK. You may be aware that burns are happening with increasing frequency at UK festivals. These are not official regional burn events – some are open about their link to Burning Man (for example, the Secret Garden Party in Cambridgeshire). What is interesting is that these burns do not always take on a ritualistic form as they do in Black Rock City. David Best’s temple burn at Ireland’s Electric Picnic, for example, was a spectacular but certainly a profane experience. Though the UK crowd might not yet engage with these burns in a particularly spiritual way, there is some significance in the immediacy of the experience and the Burning Man influence seems to be spreading… Anyway, I will be buying your book, so I thank you in advance of another interesting read! Roxy :-)

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By: Lee Gilmore’s Theater in a Crowded Fire: Ritual and Spirituality at Burning Man now available « Enabling Creative Chaos Blog

Sat, 10 Jul 2010 15:42:26 +0000

[...] in ritual studies, religious studies, anthropology, sociology, art, and American Studies. Click here and here to find more links about her [...]

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