2012
Mixed & Multimedia
20′ tall x 20′ diameter
Collaborators: Sol Diego (60+ Volunteers)
When people choose to work really hard together on a common goal, something magical happens… It is like a crash course of friendship and everyone quickly sees each other’s strengths and weakness and if they stay on the project, they commit to work with the other people not just to complete the project. Sol Diego’s CarouShell team of up to 60 volunteers was beautiful, with strong personalities that committed to work hard and play hard with each other, each gifted in their own way. We were infinitely fortunate to have this brilliant, generous group work collaboratively on this Circle of Regional Effigies project for Burning Man 2012.
In the conceptualization phase of the project, multiple community members offered contribution to the idea pool and many of them were incorporated to create the final design. CarouShell was a 20 foot tall and diameter, rotating, interactive, underwater-themed carousel, with a spiraling, conical shell top. Inspired by San Diego’s historic Balboa Park Carousel, CarouShell provides ride-able sea creatures. A central column offered a ladder to climb amongst its kelp forest to the surface of the sea where one could stand on top of a platform to explore the views. The corkscrew-like roofline implied the surface of a conical shell. At night, participants could control interactive lighting by pushing any of the four large buttons to control the 20 programmed multi-colored lighting sequences! CarouShell transformed strangers into partners (it took 3 people to push the CarouShell) and reverted adults into young children as they played on underwater merry-go-round! Since this project represented the San Diego region, many people were specifically drawn to the piece due to regional affiliations or fond memories. Children flocked to the project and the adults pushed the ride for them diligently. One participant felt such a sense of ownership to the project after pushing the burner-powered carousel for hours that he became a docent for all who joined the fun. Upon burning, the center column transforms into a fire vortex, which shot a fiery tornado out the top of tower, offering an impressive show and apropos departure for this ephemeral artifact that brought a community together.
Project Leads: David Timms and Brandie Maddalena
Art Lead: Brandie Maddalena
Build Lead: David Timms
Electronics Lead: Paul Williamson
Site Manager: Mark Anderson
Fire Lead: James Howard