Our Hive: Our Effigy: Communal Effort!

We're proud to introduce you to "Our Hive," Mosaic's selected effigy designed by Thom Root, an Indiana burner.

Like what you see? Consider donating to his Indiegogo campaign!

A meditation on community, transience, elegance and perspective

In the heart of the Midwest, there is a vibrant community of individuals dedicated to the idea of creating a space to enact self-reliance, self-expression, respect of the environment, and the value of the common good. These good folk will gather at a transformational festival in October, and this work will serve as the central effigy art project for the community.

Our campaign will fund only the material costs of a large-scale burnable art installation for this festival taking place in October. The structure, Our Hive, is an abstract geometric representation of a beehive. The building allows for interaction in a variety of ways. Participants can admire the structure’s intrinsic aesthetic beauty, sit or cuddle in one of the numerous alcoves, lounge in the cargo net, or scale to the top to look around. The structure will be illuminated with LED lighting systems that bring the internal design and negative space into greater conscious awareness. It will stand at around 18 feet tall with a rough diameter of 20 feet at the base.

The festival organizers have already awarded our team a $500 grant for the structure. We need your help to make up the difference in cost for building materials. Our goal of $1,190 will cover the lumber costs for the project.

What We Need & What You Get

All of the funds raised will pay for the cost of the materials to build and transport the structure to the festival site. This campaign to raise $1,190 will cover the cost of the lumber for the 18 foot by 20 foot effigy. Additional costs not covered by this campaign include $1,800 to cover all remaining construction and transportation needs (e.g. internal netting: $170, hardware: $125, lighting: $100, truck rental: $385, and burn costs) Fuel, tools and construction space have already been donated. If we do not meet our goal, all funds will still support the project, and we will have to work even harder to raise money in person…

As a supporter of Our Hive, you'll receive our sincere gratitude, plus additional perks depending on the level of your contribution. These range from handwritten thank you notes to custom stickers to patches to the chance to light Our Hive on fire...in person!

The Impact

Our Hive will be the central art piece and effigy for a transformational festival in Ohio. Dozens of these events occur across the globe, and the movement is on the rise. With roots in the dreams of activists, artists, hippies and seekers, transformational festivals create radically free spaces where participants awaken to their inner selves and experience a new way of being that springs from self-expression and community interaction.

Here in the Midwest, this “dreams made real” opportunity is rare. Opportunities to connect with like-minded folk who passionately believe in the values of radical inclusion, radical self-expression, leaving no trace, and the value of communal effort and civic responsibility are unusual. Burn festivals create the opportunity for individuals to propel the next evolution of humankind forward.

The Artist

In 2012, Thom Root attended his first burn festival. An unassuming software engineer in his regular life, Thom attended an additional nine burns over the past two years, including Burning Man 2013 and the inaugural Mosaic Experiment. Building large-scale burnable art has become a personal passion that brings him fulfillment and joy. His passion ignites a similar fire in anyone around him, bringing others into the community of transformation. A team of volunteers is already in place, helping to bring Our Hive into existence.

Thom has experience with how to design and construct an effective project. He designed the inaugural structure for the Mosaic Experiment 2013. The Dodecamosaic touched and delighted many. The structure was designed so it could be rolled around, providing an interactive element for participants. Thom also contributed to building the inaugural Indiana C.O.R.E. project, INchanted Forest, for Burning Man 2013. We are thirsting for the opportunity to create a larger scale interactive project.

What If?...

If we don’t raise our goal of $1,190, then we will focus on in-person fundraising through selling patches and stickers at other festivals in the area. Additional funds  may be donated by existing team members and through personal gifts.

The structure will be designed with the safety of all participants in mind. Walls and rafters will be reinforced to prevent accidental falls. On-site construction will include seasoned builders, including the lead builder of a 20 foot obelisk for another festival in 2013. This structure will be the most ambitious project for this festival, and we are pumped to make it happen!

Other Ways You Can Help

Whether or not you're able to donate please spread the word to everyone you know. Other burners, performers, artists, your wacky neighbor, your supervisor, that interesting guy you chatted up the other day - you know - everyone! And consider using the buttons below to spread the word online. Thank you - that is all.

All Tickets Are Officially Gone!

Mosaic Experiment has become the first Ohio regional burn to hit its ticket cap before sales were scheduled to end. In fact, the event isn't for another month! Roughly 200 tickets sold within the two weeks leading up to the ticket tier pricing change from $50 (Tier 1) to $75 (Tier 2.) This is shocking to all of us as there has never been a ticket scarcity for an Ohio burn since the first ones started 7 years ago (in 2007.) Mosaic has had them on sale since April and have been promoting them since March.

We started notifying people of a ticket sellout threat 2 weeks prior to the start of September as we saw an increasing number of them selling every day right up until Tier 2 hit. By then there were less than 50 remaining and they all sold within two days. In total, that's 350 tickets sold in just over 5 months. By contrast, our closest large regional burn to Ohio is Lakes of Fire and their 1,600 tickets were all gone within minutes of their first and second sale, both of which happened within the same week!

What can we do now? Not to fret, one of our organizers put together a Mosaic Ticket Exchange Facebook group. As the event nears, many people who secured their tickets early in response to our warnings of tickets selling out will find themselves unable to attend and will be putting up their tickets for sale here. There obviously won't be enough for everybody who still wants a ticket, but there is still hope for those holding out. If you're persistent and attentive enough, you'll stand a very good chance of getting one.

How can we raise the cap for next year? One word: volunteer! Our cap was determined in January 2014 by last year's organizers who met and guessed the number of participants we felt we could safely handle based on the number of volunteers from our inaugural year. For every extra 100 people attending, you need at least another 30 volunteers (roughly 2/3rds of the entire Lakes of Fire event is made up of volunteers!) For example, you can't justly accept 100 participants if you only have 1 greeter working a couple 6 hour shifts. Gate would be crashed, no one would be tagged entering the event, and no one would be verified as an actual ticket holder. You'd need much longer shifts (not fair to the volunteer greeters) or many more greeter volunteers to remedy this problem. If you have 500 people, you need more rangers to scout the land for potentially dangerous behavior. Having only one person on call day and night wouldn't be cutting it anymore. You'd need more Emergency Service volunteers to be on call , and more Leave No Trace people to educate the masses on picking up after themselves so the organizers don't get stuck doing it afterwards (more people = more risk of MOOP!)  At the moment I'm writing this, we still see a lot of empty volunteer slots needing to be filled. If we find a sudden boost in volunteerism before the event begins, or even at the event itself, we will feel more confident raising the cap. Want to help make it easier for more people to attend next year? Volunteer this year!

Why not raise the cap now? Aside from the note above about our critical need for more volunteers this year, we are also bound by a contract with the property owner stating we would have no more than 350 for this year's event, and we also stated this on our insurance policy. To permit more would violate both our signed contract with the property owner and our insurance policy.  Best thing to do now if you're a lucky ticket holder is to volunteer for a couple shifts at Mosaic, and if you already are, encourage your campmates to do the same. There are many slots still available, most importantly Emergency Services, Rangers, and Greeters, but we definitely need a stronger Leave No Trace presence this year or we may not be permitted back on this property. PLEASE spread the word and encourage everyone to pack it all out! Help make our event cleaner, better, and ultimately bigger, by volunteering right now!

GlamBurn Shots: Mosaic FUNdraiser

We are so excited to announce our partnership with Kintimate Costumes, etc. for this radical FUNdraiser on September 6th! https://www.facebook.com/events/533350760144439/ Do you remember Glamour Shots? The huge hair? The movie star make up? The sparkle and gem stone outfits?

Well we will be hosting an eccentric and colorful version of this glamorous portrait experience in an effort to raise funds for interactive outdoor art projects. These 8 projects will be created for the participants of The Mosaic Experiment, happening this October 3-6.

GlamBurn Shots, as we call it, will take place at Kintimates event space on Knowlton street here in Northside. Both floors of this incredible home will be used to provide a complete makeover, costuming selection and a photography session!

As you enter, grab a snack and a beverage and head upstairs to select your outfit and style. Then get your hair did and face made up to match your vision. Finally, spend 15 minutes making your best duck and kissy faces for our talented photograpers as they capture your best side.

These photos will be emailed to you for your own use, so let out your inner pin up, glam rocker, wild child or blushing beauty. All while supporting unique public art!

We will soon be taking reservations for spots for this wild evening of wacky fun so RSVP ASAP to get your first pick of the prime spots!News to use, here is an update on the art grant fundraiser being held on Sept.6th here in Cinci.

We will not be using reservations. You will receive a number when you arrive and sign in. You will pay the $15 for the makeup/photography session.

Drinks (soda, juice and some beer and wine) and snacks will be available, but potluck and booze donations are lovingly welcomed!

Also we will be featuring a Game Room! Cards Against Humanity, jenga, mad libs, apples to apples, all the party favs will be available while you wait for your session.

Of course you are welcome to join in the fun without all the glam! We will ask for a $5 donation to the cause if you are just coming but don't wish to have the full Glamburn experience.

Finally, what is the cause you ask? ART! ART! AND MORE ART! 8 separate artists are hoping this event will help support their creations and allow them to share their visions with the Mosaic Experiment. More info about the projects will be available at the event, and you are welcome to donate more towards a specific project that catches your eye.

So spread the word, share the news, this is going to be an epic night of fun!

registration deadline is this sunday

Bought your ticket? Now it's time register for all the things by AUGUST 31!

• We want to place your theme camp and art so bad at Mosaic we can taste i!
• More than just art installations and theme camps should register things.
• Mosaic needs you to register any fire at your camp, any RV you plan on camping with, any car that you NEED at your camp, and any handicap vehicle you will be using on the property.
• The only thing as sexy as registering your things is volunteering!

Mosaic Newsletter Updates for July

Stuff is starting to move quickly. Tickets are selling. Grant applications are flowing in... The effigy for Mosaic Experiment 2014 : Hive Mined has been selected. There were several applications, all of which were freaking great. Ultimately, we congratulate the community for welcoming Thom Root as our effigy lead.

ART GRANT deadline has been extended to JULY 17. The DEADLINE for ART GRANT applications is now JULY 17. Finish it already; everyone knows that you need the money.

Lastly, since this is really more of a love letter than an update, I'd like to mention the land where Mosaic occurs. The site is affectionately referred to as "Reclaim." Reclaim is known to be a recovered strip mine in Rutland, Ohio. Aside from the clearing where we gather, the land is largely forest and generally undisturbed by humans... As such, burners are ideal guests and hosts. The "Pack in/Pack out" nature of our LNT (leave no trace) values ensure a minimal impact on a fragile and recovering slice of raw beauty. Ever since I first visited Reclaim at Scorched Nuts several years ago, I have learned that we share a lot in common with that land... trying with all your might to find balance and manifest beauty may sound familiar for you as well.

Speaking of... Have you registered your theme camp? If you're one of the many who have obtained a ticket this early, it's probably a good idea to get on that. We've ALL got planning to do... This thing's going to reach max population.

Oh, and fun LNT aside: I've encountered more than one festival-hippie question regarding recycling and how Mosaic Experiment handles it. Answer: We don't. YOU do!! You get two choices... Pack out what you pack in, or don't come. Watching both of their expressions change as they "got it" reminded me of a really suspenseful joke that someone once told me.

Art Grant Deadline Extended to July 17

For those of you considering bring art to Mosaic Experiment, this should be good news... The art grant application extension is largely attributed to Lakes of Fire decompression. You folks know how to bring it... Now come get some!!

Want to make some art? Need some money to do it? Afraid your vision isn’t grand enough for funding? Worried you won’t have enough to do your large, grand art vision? Fret not! We have a few ways to help your ideas become a reality! We want you and your art to shine at Mosaic, apply today!

[http://www.mosaicexperiment.com/news/art-grant-application/

Parking at Mosaic 2014

Fuck yer day or whatever... Parking at Mosaic Experiment 2014 : Hive Mined is something you may need to be prepared for. Your car will NOT be participating in the burn... It will be radically expressing the shit out of being parked outside of the decommodified environment. If you feel that you should be an exception to this policy, please refer to the parking portion of the survival guide to pursue arrangements accordingly. [http://www.mosaicexperiment.com/news/survival-guide/]

Weather permitting; All unregistered vehicles entering the event will be allotted 2[two] hours to unload and get parked. If the land is wet, vehicles may not be permitted to proceed beyond the parking area.

There will be NO ART CARS! While this is something which may be considered for future events, the land owner of reclaim has requested no motorized art infrastructure for this fall. Your art may be mobile, but your car will be chilling in the lot with everyone else's.

I hope this post both informed and entertained... If not; Fuck my day too, right?

Art Grant Applications Are Now Live

Want to make some art? Need some money to do it? Afraid your vision isn't grand enough for funding? Worried you won't have enough to do your large, grand art vision? Fret not! We have a few ways to help your ideas become a reality! We want you and your art to shine at Mosaic, apply today! [http://www.mosaicexperiment.com/news/art-grant-application/]

Have you registered yet for all the things?

I can't wait to see what is inspiring you this year. Whatever your art may be... Please register your installation! If our placement team knows what you're bringing, you'll find that your neighbors aren't randomized problem generation units. Having neighbors who compliment your creativity serves the whole community! Which... You DO know that's what you're helping to build by attending, right? Okay. More coffee. [http://www.mosaicexperiment.com/news/register-for-placement/] ALSO!! EFFIGY GRANT SUBMISSION DEADLINE IS LOOMING LIKE A VERY CLOSE THING!! [http://www.mosaicexperiment.com/news/effigy-submissions-are-now-open/]

I'd like to open this message by pointing out that there has been a lot of coffee in my life today. Mosaic is happening eventually and the more time there is to prepare, the more time there is to prepare. [http://www.mosaicexperiment.com/news/survival-guide/]

Have you bought a ticket yet? Have you volunteered yet? Have you tuned these questions out yet? The end is the beginning. [http://www.mosaicexperiment.com/news/tickets/]

Effigy application forms are live

Any individual artist or team of artists is encouraged to submit their ideas for art that fosters the ideals of self-expression, growth, empowerment, family, and participation. Projects will be evaluated based on the application’s artistic vision and practical explanation of construction. The artistic vision, its philosophic intent and impact on others are important considerations... and Mosaic 2014 is allotting $500 toward enabling you to bring it all together. Evaluation of all applications will be done by the Mosaic Art Grant Committee and will be announced shortly after the submission deadline... That submission deadline is June 27th. Submit your application here: http://www.mosaicexperiment.com/news/effigy-applications/