I've built lots of fire. I love building fires. Whether they are tiny cholla cooking fires in the Mojave or a van full of pallets, I like coaxing the potential from the wood with a flame.
It has been a long time since I have made "art". This year, she's venturing out, I bound and put her on a pedestal long ago, she is dusty and covered with a tarp. But no more. That's what these unicorns are about. And since I am going to Burning Man, I might as well make them to burn.
It's an interesting experience. Spending time crafting, manifesting my vision, only to destroy it. It's been a while since I have built something physical. And as I build it, I envision it's destruction. Does this make me do cheap construction? Because I know it will be destroyed, do I make it easy to destroy? No, actually it is quite the opposite. I'm building these unicorns to survive (well, other than in a fire). So knowing they will be destroyed makes no difference in the quality of my construction.
Ok, so what about ego? Isn't art about ego? Aren't artists egotistical about their art? Well, in my case, I am trying to create a vision I have. I suppose it's my vision, since it's from my head, but I could also just as easily say I'm the vessel for the vision. I'm the one listening. I heard the vision and bought some tools.
Another interesting observation, since I'm building my unicorns to burn, is that I am detached from them. I have invested the time to build them the right way, but I have not invested so much of myself. In fact, I have invested very little of myself. I am the tool being used by the universe to build these unicorns to burn. Just as I am a tool being used to create and do the many things I do. I'm looking forward to the excellent fire, that will destroy my beautiful creations. In fact, I will probably build it up, to be a fire worthy of their destruction.
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