| CONCEPT | PROJECT | CONSTRUCTION |
| VOLUNTEER | CONTACT | PERFORMANCE GROUPS |
| CONTRIBUTE | FOOTPRINT | SCHEDULE |
1) The Concept:
2005 was my first experience with Burning Man and as a newbie I was of course overwhelmed from time I rang the bell at the front gate. All the plans that I had so skillfully put together like how I was going to see and do everything faded away like the ringing of the bell. So it was back to the basics. As I pounded in the first of many rebar stakes I remembered reading in the 10 principles and started going over them in my mind.
Participation: To become part of or involved in the art not be just a spectator. There were many opportunity to do just that and I took as many as I could.
The idea for this project came to me as I watched one of the flame producing art performances. At my basic level I wanted to be more involved with the fire. I wanted to make it go boom, flash or know that one smoke ring was of my own making. However because of the inherent danger associated with fire the opportunities to be self-expressive were limited. What to do? Ok let’s throw 3 Simons, 2 Twisters and an old steam calliope in a box. Mix them together and add a bunch of copper piping, some switches, propane, a battery or two and a little fire and you have FLAME DANCE.
2) The Project:
Flame Dance consists of 9 vertically mounted fire-ball/smoke-ring canons controlled by two 9-segment dance pads. During the daylight hours Flame Dance will produce both fireballs and smoke-rings. At night it will only produce the fireballs. (You can't see the smoke-rings in the dark anyway).
Each of the 9 cannons correspond to one of the 9 colored segments on each dance pad. To set off a single canon the participants just have to step on the matching color segments on each pad. To set off a sequence of cannons the participants must coordinate their movements so they dance on the same color segments. Participants can use their feet, hands, elbows or whatever body part they can.
The display will be able to operate in 3 distinct modes.
The cooperation mode:
The preferred method for it’s no fun to dance alone.
The canons, two dance pads, two participants and coordinated movement or just plain dumb luck. Who is to say? It’s still beautiful!
The Solo mode:
For those that would prefer a little more self-expression.
The canons, One dance pad, one participant. Just do what comes natural. Let the music move your feet.
The Automatic mode:
The display will have the capability to fire the canons in a random or a predetermined pattern.
Just push the button and see what happens.
3) Construction:
The construction of this display is fairly straightforward. The use of standard copper fittings, pipes and valves makes the job much easier that you might expect. In the construction phase I'm feeling more like a plumber than an artist. The rest of my attention will go into the control box. The electronics and programming here is also fairly basic.
I'll try to keep this part of my page updated with pictures and notes to let you see how things are going.
Click Here to follow my progress
4) Volunteering:
I am not associated with any theme camp or village at this time and I would like some people to help out on the playa setting up and tearing down and as safety personnel during performances. If you would like to be involved in any way please contact me Michael Conner or Gabriel Majors
5) Contact:
Michael Conner at [email protected]
Or
Gabriel Majors at [email protected]
6) Performance groups:
If there are any groups that would like to use Flame Dance as a background for their performances please contact me. I'm sure we can work something out.
7) Contribute:
Although Burning Man has given this project a very generous grant, the grant only covers a portion of the construction material. To get Flame Dance to the playa this year the remaining material and expenditures will have to be covered by other means.
If you do wish to donate to this project please send your contribution to:
Michael Conner
328 Bellevue Av. E. #105
Seattle Wa. 98102
You may also donate to this project through PayPal Using my email address. [email protected]
Any help will be heartily accepted and put to good use.
8) Footprint/location:
Flame Dance will take up an area about 30 feet by 30 feet. The nine canons will be about 3 feet apart and the dance pads will be side by side and around 20 feet in front of the canons. I haven't been informed as to where on the playa I'll be located. They are still working on the placement of the art for this year. I'll let you know where I'll be as soon as I know.
9) Performance schedule:
Because of the consumables Propane and other fuels Flame Dance will only be able to be in full operation 4 or 5 times. This all depends on the amount of fuels I'll be able to bring with me.
Here are the times I intend to have Flame Dance fired up.
First day Performance Aug 29
First night Performance Aug 29
Second day Performance Aug 31
Second night Performance Aug 31
5th Performance depending on fuel Sept 1
The day performances will happen mid afternoon if it's not too hot and the night performances will start after dusk.
Any other performances will be posted on a message board at the site on the playa
Here is where you can leave me feedback on this project and see what others have said
So please take a few moments and drop me a note
Thanks !
Sign Guest book View Guest book
In this section I'll try to keep you updated on my progress on this project. If you have any questions or advice to help this go smoother please don't hesitate to contact me. I'll try to answer any questions as soon as I can.
Here are a few pictures to start with.
For this project I decided to divide the construction into several assemblies.
The first one shown here is the main expansion chamber for the canons.
Here are the component parts of the first assembly.
Here is what you get when you add a little heat.
Now only 8 more to go.
To get some idea of size main tube is 2" in diameter and 24" long
The 18 solenoid valves have arrived. Would you believe that the cost of these valves makeup almost 1/3 of the total price of this project? Seems like a lot for something so small
Here are the component parts of assembly # 2.
This is the continuation of the expansion chamber leading from the main discharge valve to the 5' long discharge pipe
Again just add some heat and here is what you get
Now if you put these 3 together here is what you come up with.
Here are the parts for assembly # 3.
And again add a little heat and here is what you get.
This is where the liquid fuel will be added. A 1/2" solenoid valve will attach here.
There is just a little more to do and you'll have one canon
Well there is going to be a little break in the construction. I have only a few days left at the job and I'm retired.
Then it's back to Indiana. The trip will take about 3 weeks so I intend to be back there sometime mid May. Then it's back to the project.
UPDATE
4/29/2006
I have retired! Now things get interesting I'm told. This is the start of a whole new chapter in my life and I'm not sure what to expect. Right now I just feel like I'm on vacation
So if there are any other retired folks out there drop me a line and tell me what to look for.
See you then !
UPDATE
3/9/2007
Things have taken longer than I expected but I'm back into it.
I've started to hook up with burners in northern Kentucky
I'm Back to working on the project
5/1/2007
so here is another update
Here you have a picture of 6 completed canons and 3 ready to assemble
Now that the weather here in Indiana has gotten warmer I can get out to the shop and play
Now here are 2 shots of the electronics prototype boards
Believe it or not it really works
In the back you can see the chip programmer. I'm using 2 PIC16F628 chip for the brains and 9 TIP22 for the power to control the relays
Well enough for now I'll try to make more updates as I go. So It's back to work
Here are some pictures of the completed cannon assemblies. All that is needed now is some paint and getting to the playa
Here are more pictures of the control box. Safety is built into the controls by having the power to the solenoids cut off at the control box. Blinking lights indicate the condition of the system. Flashing BLUE for SAFE and flag RED for ARMED and READY.
