The Artery

The Artery: Kicking Ass, Taking Names, Giving Tours
By Will Chase

With a new sign featuring the artwork of renowned meta-spiritual artist Alex Grey, a more artist- and participant-friendly Artery layout, and a rollicking new party bus for art tours, the Burning Man Artery Team took its role to new heights this burn.

The Artery Team is responsible for registering artists who create artwork for display on the playa, working with them to place their artwork at the event site, acquiring needed equipment to install and support their work, solving problems that arise on site, conducting art tours of major installations on the playa, and providing information about the art to the public.

This year, the Artery team placed a record 300+ pieces of art on the playa, a large number of them featuring fire effects. "The 'Beyond Belief' theme opened up the creative playing field this year, and the artists really rose to the occasion. We were busier than ever before," said LadyBee, Burning Man's Art Curator. "I was really impressed with the quality of the art this year, especially the smaller installations, and the job our team did to pull it all together."

The art tours, new this year, proved to be a big hit with the hundreds of people who took the daily cruise. Every afternoon, participants crammed onto the Mystic Beat Lounge's 1974 International bus, with its 5 dance floors, stocked bar, full DJ setup, an ear-bending 6,000 watt sound system, two stripper poles (critical for any art tour), and room for 80.

Driving deep into the playa, Artery staffers Glyph and Mango regaled participants with background and insights about key art installations including David Best's Temple of Honor, The Man, The Hand of God, The Temple of Gravity, and Cleavage in Space. "We got an outstanding response from people on the tours," said Zack Darling (aka Zodiack) of the Mystic Beat Lounge. "They were given details about the art that you wouldn't know unless you pored through the Burning Man website. They really loved it."

Given its success, expect to see expanded and improved art tours in the coming years, including night tours focusing on fire installations.

To volunteer for the Artery Team, aim your browser to www.burningman.com/participate/volunteer.html.

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