What Constitutes An ART CAR?

[BlueBirdPoof]

... but an Engineer isn't an Artist.

I'd take great engineering over la-di-dah art anyday. And I'm an artist. At the top of any form is art, and good artist recognize that.

[BlueBirdPoof]

There may be debate on what qualifies as an art vehicle, but there is no debate that un-decorated golf carts or motorized scooters are *not* art vehicles (regardless who rides them), and they should not be allowed to circulate except on the outer street of the city (maybe).

Getting from one side of the city to another in a hurry because someone has fallen off a structure and broke bones or took the wrong drugs and stopped breathing or was driving their scooter too fast and ran into a pole and got severely messed up, is part of the job of ESD. Personally, I think my Tania is a found art beauty, but the army camo job (and I mean the ARMY--she's surplus) will be covered up next year, one way or another. We work hard, both before and during the event. Some of us are more gifted in the healing arts than the creative arts. I think that our undecorated golf carts and other vehicles end up being nessesary evils.

[BlueBirdPoof]

...Trust me, the first time a 22-year-old upper-middle class kid with well connected partents gets run over the fire will go out and the party will be over....

RESPECT THE ART VEHICLES. I know it seems like a whole lotta fun to cross the path of an art car, but when someone rides or runs out in front of a moving vehicle, the natural inclination of the pilot is to slam on the brakes. This is very dangerous when you have 14 inattentive people standing on the top deck. The people who pilot my ship, and myself, have learned in the last two years to avoid our natural inclination to hit the brakes and have learned to gently turn the ship to avoid a collision, but if people keep behaving the way they have, an accident is inevitable. If I am forced to make the choice between hitting someone and having 14 people go flying from my roof I know what decision I will make. Please don't force me to make that decision.

(Possible reasons for not getting a ride on art car)

4.You jumped on with out permission, I know other art cars allow this, but Burning Man offically considers it stealing and so do I. No thieves on the ship! If you want a ride ask myself or someone else on board. We'll either tell you we're full or invite you on-board

5.You were too FUCKED UP! If I or anyone else thinks you're going to be a danger to the other guests on-board you are not welcome. The ship is not a drunk-bus. If your are i'll I will always give you a ride to the medical tent, but if your just fucked up you can get home with the same two feet that brought you to the middle of the playa.

A lot of good points here.

[III]

>e work hard, both before and during the event. Some of us are more gifted in the healing arts than the creative arts. I think that our undecorated golf carts and other vehicles end up being nessesary evils.

so if i work hard (which i do) can i drive around in an undecorated vehicle as well? i've put in thousands of hours on my village...

i'll recognize the need for emergency vehicles. i'm not sure i'm willing to count a golfcart as one of them.

[BlueBirdPoof]

so if i work hard (which i do) can i drive around in an undecorated vehicle as well? i've put in thousands of hours on my village...

i'll recognize the need for emergency vehicles. i'm not sure i'm willing to count a golfcart as one of them.

Trey, you are right, I expressed this poorly (and knew it on the way to get my latte between that post and this.)

These (certain ESD and DPW) are work vehicles first and foremost. Anything that interferes with that is a bad idea. (It's going to take us an extra 90 seconds to get us and our med gear out of this decorated vehicle; We can't fly the man because our biggest crane might get scratched.) I'm not saying that it is impossible to make something beautiful and functional, but it's likely a significant investment in time and money, and I'd like the med folks to concentrate on certifications and supplies first.

And those golfcarts need to be rethought on a lot of levels. They certainly do not stand up to the playa well, and those batteries are always running down at inopportune times. (Even worse if lit, I'm sure, but that's not really the point.) I won't defend them--they are not really functional; I don't know if decorating them would help.

[Last Real Burner]

But I intend to read this thread.

mr smith

[tommy Extra-Action]

Regarding flat bed trucks: some of these were not being passed off as art, they got permission to drive because they were "performance art" that required transportation as part of their performance. I for one was really happy to see that The Mutaytor was creating impromptu parades early in the week with their flatbed truck mobile stages.

i for one was really happy to see a band( EXTRA-ACTION MARCHING BAND) actually go there and build something theme based and mobile so they could play wherever they wanted, on a beautifully designed and engineered 1/2 size replica of a 15th century spanish galleon, covering the ugly school bus that made it possible for us to move on land...the flat bed truck was about as horrible visually as they were musically - my opinion - mostly that way because something has forced me to accept no less than amazing...

tommy

[Chai Guy]

Like all exceptions to the rules, the exceptions become the rules.

EMT- Obviously EMT vehicles need to Look like EMT vehicles, even on the playa. It helps people recognize them as such and get the hell out of their way. They have a specific function and should only be utilized for that function.

DPW- I've never worked for DPW, I'm not totally familiar with what an average day during the event it like for them. I can say that I believe I've seen a few DPW cars that would be considered bona-fide art cars. At any rate, it would seem reasonable that Burning Man LLC could afford a few permanent vehicles and only allow those vehicles to operate during the event. I could be wrong about this. (and cranes, forklifts and all that could just stay undecorated, as no one would mistake them for being anything but DPW).

STAFF- You have to go to a meeting? Guess what? Me Too! You work really hard to put this together? Me Too! (except I also have to work another job to afford to go to the event!). You spent months and months of planning this thing? Me Too! I have to follow certain rules about art cars and you don't? Bullshit!

Someone brought up another idea, here or in another thread and I think it bears repeating. He/She suggested that all art cars/staff cars/dpw cars fly a small flag on a whip attenae. (much like you see on dune buggies). This would make all cars easily identifiable as being registered either with DMV or their respective work crew (ranger/dpw/etc) You could make the flags different colors to represent DMW/rangers/dwp/staff, etc.

Any car driving around the playa and NOT flying a flag would be subjected to a loss of air pressure or the removal of some crucial mechanical part to be returned to them on Labor Day.

[Guest]

They certainly do not stand up to the playa well, and those batteries are always running down at inopportune times.

Have the people who procure these thought about a solar assist?

edited to remove commercialism

[KellY]

STAFF- You have to go to a meeting? Guess what? Me Too! You work really hard to put this together? Me Too! (except I also have to work another job to afford to go to the event!). You spent months and months of planning this thing? Me Too! I have to follow certain rules about art cars and you don't? Bullshit!

Surprise, surprise, I actually do agree with C.G. about something...though probably from a different perspective. I know a lot of very very busy staffpeople who take the time to decorate the hell out of their golfcarts, so I don't have any sympathy with the ones who don't bother.

It should be noted though, that a lot of the pick-up trucks and such that the org uses are rented for the event and not really decoratable (the carts are rented too, but their small size and general design makes them very easy to attach temporary deco to).

[Chai Guy]

I know a lot of very very busy staffpeople who take the time to decorate the hell out of their golfcarts

Good point, and I didn't mean to imply that ALL staff were lazy and didn't decorate their rides. I'm sure some do a really nice job, and those people should be thanked.

It should be noted though, that a lot of the pick-up trucks and such that the org uses are rented for the event and not really decoratable

Why do you think God invented insurance?

[muley]

I dont think staff people should have to worry if a staff car is art or not ITS A FUCKING STAFF CAR they have a lot of shit to do besides putin ribbons on a golf cart

[robbidobbs]

DPW- I've never worked for DPW, I'm not totally familiar with what an average day during the event it like for them. I can say that I believe I've seen a few DPW cars that would be considered bona-fide art cars. At any rate, it would seem reasonable that Burning Man LLC could afford a few permanent vehicles and only allow those vehicles to operate during the event. I could be wrong about this.

There are a few vehicles owned by BM, and it's a source of frustration to keep them running, let alone "street legal". Let's do away with this idea that the LLC has money jumping out of their butts. The needs during the Event are FAR greater than the supply. That's why you'll see many personal vehicles out there working. Mine is one of them. And I'm not interested in "permanently altering the original configuration" of my vehicle, thankyouverymuch.

Points:
1) No, you're not DPW, so let's take a look at my typical day last year: up at dawn for DPW morning meeting, poop patrol from 8-12, lunch, poop patrol 1-4, Gate 6-12am. During Poop Patrol, I move supplies, volunteers, and generally make myself available for runs for different departments. My "territory" extends to all 5 corners of the fence. There's a LOT of playa out there beyond the city streets. I had back surgery and have arthritis. You'd be asking me to walk for 16 solid hours/day. Not with this back! And don't ask me to do what I do on a bicycle.

I do spend time sitting at the various camps, discussing shit, at commissary, and at various dept sites, so it's not as bad as it may seem. I love my job, and welcome anyone who wants to ride along with me to just wave me down.

In fact I DARE anyone to do just one 4 hr shift with me!
No, I DOUBLE DARE YA!
HAH!
(I make people *tired*)

Oh, and when not "on shift" I use art cars as transportation. I get to relax a bit, and enjoy the festival.

Any car driving around the playa and NOT flying a flag would be subjected to a loss of air pressure or the removal of some crucial mechanical part to be returned to them on Labor Day.

The DMV stickers are sufficient to determine if someone should or should not be driving. The Rangers may stop a vehicle if they don't see a sticker, educate the driver, and relieve them of air pressure should they not get the hint. You, as a Citizen, are also welcome to discuss driving rules to those you feel are transgressing.

Funny, the only time I ever wear a watch is on the Playa.

[Dork]

I dont think staff people should have to worry if a staff car is art or not ITS A FUCKING STAFF CAR they have a lot of shit to do besides putin ribbons on a golf cart

They should at least make up a bunch of magnetic signs to stick on the sides of those cars that say "THIS IS A FUCKING STAFF CAR ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS YOU STUPID FUCK" so I don't get mad when they race past me at 15MPH. Those DPW stickers are hard to spot sometimes.

[robbidobbs]

If you do see a vehicle going over the speed limit, you are certainly free to say...

SLOW THE FUCK DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ness]

if a staff is going over the speed limit then they are out of line, of all the cars that blew by me last yr I dont think any were staffers