BurningSNOW
Center for the ExperiMENTAL Arts
2578
North Weil Street, Milwaukee WI 53212 USA.
We are a meeting place for Milwaukee's upcoming Creative Class. A
place to meet, interact, and create projects based on the Experimental Arts-- broadly defined
as the intersection of technology, arts, and culture. We accept and
welcome the stranger. An MIT
engineer works side-by side with a kid with a paintbrush. An old-school
mechanic works side by side with a sculptor and a computer programmer.
Each learns from the other. We
operate in a de-commodified environment so it is not about the money, it
is about the free sharing of ideas across disciplines. We maintain close ties to
Burning Man Project and follow their Ten Principles
as a model for successful promotion of innovation through the Experimental
Arts.
some PROJECTS we have created so far:
"Corn Woman", a talking sculpture commissioned for
Burning Man 2007
"Voices in my Head", a wall of talking faces commissioned
for Burning Man 2005
Golden Electric Surfboard with 30-mile range
Self-Erasing Graffiti Wall
Levitating Illuminating Sphere
Self-Changing Paintings
Integrated Alternative Energy System used to make electricity at
Burning Man
Advanced Temporary Structure 300 square feet, withstands 60mph
winds, weighs 110 pounds
Talking, Animated Information-Dispensing Head
Variable-Transparency Clothing Prototype
Portable Laser-beam Fireplace
Clock Hat
Laser Beam Eyewear
Vortex-ring Projector
Plus other projects that integrate art, design, technology, interactivity,
creativity, in a culture of fun and free expression.
membership at THE CENTER
Membership fees at the center are $10 per
quarter. This is most easily paid at our quarterly Open House events where
it also serves as the admission price.
activities at THE CENTER
Public Orientations held the first Sunday of each month at 7pm. These
allow new members to become acquainted with the facility and its programs.
There are screenings of videos, discussion of
the nature of experimental and interactive art, and a chance to
interact with the art itself.
Regular Member Meetings held on the second, third, and fourth Sundays of the
month at 7pm. These include build parties, classes, potluck dinners, and
organizational meetings.
Other classes will be expanded as funding becomes available and
will include classes in electronics, soundscaping, computer programming,
adding interactivity to artworks, and others.
Special Events include displays
of new and innovative music, fashion, and interactive art pieces created
over the last quarter.
The Center also hosts traveling artists and shows, such as the Tiny Invisibility Circus of New
Orleans, artist Nick Kane, and others.
the FACILITY
Currently consists of an 1800 square foot live-work facility with a 600
square foot main display room and gallery, plus meeting rooms, offices,
storerooms and workshops. The space can be easily reconfigured for different
events and uses.
Main display room: shown
here: Casque of Secret Shame, Variable-Transparency clothing (on mannequin), various glowing masques.
There are also long tables available for community meetings and potluck
dinners.
Information wall with maps,
posters, schedules of events, volunteer schedules, and information handouts.
Also visible is the LabiaRinth, illuminated snowflake, and two talking
interactive sculptures.
Close-up of Interactive , talking sculpture, also view of worktables, giant magnetic poetry
board, and other interactive games and displays.
The Center also contains the Tiny Friendly Stage used for music and spoken word expression.
Also seen is the Lending Library with over 60 works in foundational
philosophy, and a short-wave radio used to tune in
information from around the world.
A wall is reserved for temporary exhibits, and currently features a
collection of digital photographs of Burning Man.
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