Composting Contraption at the Maker Faire

Paul Cesewski aka Paul de Plumber, creator of the Composting Contraption, taking it for a spin.Thanks for coming out to the Maker Faire and checking out our prototype, and providing "notes" on how we can improve the next ScrapEden project. The Black Rock Arts Foundation in partnership with San Francisco Department of the Environment are developing The Composting Contraption. This human-powered, interactive, kinetic artwork is designed to travel to local festivals, street fairs, farmers markets and schools to inspire, motivate and educate San Francisco residents to increase their practice of composting. Read more about the Composting Contraption here.




Prior Posts regarding the Composting Contraption

photos: Tomas McCabe
Video: Freddy Hahne

Celebrating Duel Nature

Although it was one of the coldest June 21sts in recorded history in Reno Nevade, the opening celebration for Duel Nature was fabulous.
There were hoopers...
There were "Thank Yous"...Thank you Maria Partridge for making this happen, thank you Kate Raudenbush for creating such fabulous art and thank you Crimson Rose for continuing to support the link between Burning Man, the Black Rock Arts Foundation, Reno Nevada and public art.
Thanks from Kate to Dave Aiazzi, all around renaissance man, crew member, electrician and Commissioner and Reno City Councilman.
Thanks to Spaceman for all the work he did installing Duel Nature, and thanks to all the crew not pictured here for making this happen. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

Thanks for representing the Black Rock Arts Foundation, Crimson Rose, Maria Partridge and surveyor and amazing crew member, Richard Johnson.

There was Controlled Burn

and the Black Rock Arts Foundation volunteers were well represented by Larry DeVincenzi, Public Relations, Maria Partridge, everything else and Affinity the BRAF blogger.

Prior posts about Duel Nature

photos: : Larry DeVincenzi

ScrapEden Collaborates with Levi Strauss & Co's Community Day

photos: Scatha G Allison

Stage Background crafted by BRAF Volunteers photo: Miranda Caroligne

Black Rocks Art Foundation & Levi Stauss and Co. from Annie on Vimeo.

On Cinco de Mayo, the Black Rock Arts Foundation joined in celebration of Levi Strauss & Co.'s "Community Day"

Each year, Levi Strauss and Co. organizes their 1,100 San Francisco headquarter employees to venture into their communities and volunteer for one of their more than 24 local nonprofit partners. This year, the company also wanted to use this day of action and celebration of
volunteerism to highlight its commitment to sustainability, focusing on the reuse and recycling of the materials and natural resources the company uses to make its products.

That’s where BRAF comes in! BRAF brought our Scrap Eden sensibilities and aesthetic to the event, helping to infuse the day's entertainment, activities and ambience with an over-arching message of re-use, community engagement, and fun!

During the volunteer experience, local designers and artists led a crew of Levi's employees in a mass production of dog beds, all made from reclaimed denim, that were then either auctioned off to raise money for charities, or donated to PAWS, a volunteer-based organization that provides for the comprehensive needs of companion animals for persons with HIV/AIDS, other disabling illnesses, and senior citizens.

For the celebration part of the day, BRAF commissioned local artists to create patch-worked stage backdrops, performer costumes and décor using scraps of denim and leftover garment samples that would otherwise go to waste.

The BRAF team also rewarded the hard working crew of volunteers with another playful way of raising money for charities; 'Pantzooka!' Participants shot reclaimed garments with an air cannon in this carnival-like shooting gallery, hitting targets that won the 24 charities (including BRAF!) even more donations from Levi's!

This event was a great way for BRAF to engage with our community, share the Burning Man ethos, spread our mission, provide opportunites for artists and raise funds for other projects all at the same time!

Many thanks to the participating artists, performers and organizers!

- $teven Raspa, Creative Director
- Marcia Crosby, Decor Manager
- Miranda Caroligne, created backdrops and lead volunteers in creation of dog beds
- Scatha G Allison, Silver Lucy, Tamo Hulva of Tamo Design, and Elina Tachkova, all assisted volunteers sewing dog beds
- Bad Unkl Sista, stilt-walker costuming
- Jonathan Youtt and Veronica Ramirez, Pantzooka barkers
- Bronkar Lee, Emcee
- Latin grooves by DJ Laird
- Mariachi Colima, traditional mariachi music
- Super Gigi and Sandra Lerner, extravagant body-painting art
- Levi Strauss & Co!

ScrapEden goes to the Maker Faire!

Come to the Maker Faire and see a preview of the next ScrapEden project, which the Black Rock Arts Foundation in partnership with San Francisco Department of the Environment is developing The Composting Contraption.

This human-powered, interactive, kinetic artwork is designed to travel to local festivals, street fairs, farmers markets and schools to inspire, motivate and educate San Francisco residents to increase their practice of composting. Read more about the Composting Contraption here. We are proud to be working with San Francisco artist Paul Cesewski, creator of a myriad of contraptions, including the bike-powered rides of Cyclecide’s Bicycle Rodeo and the Star Wheel, a participant powered rolling Ferris wheel. Mr. Cesewski also contributed to the creation of the floating sculpture rafts of Miss Rockaway Armada.

Come see this work in progress and contribute your ideas to its development!
Maker Faire
Saturday, May 22, 2010
10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sunday May 23, 2010
10:00 am – 6:00 pm
San Mateo County Event Center
2495 S. Delaware St, San Mateo, CA 94403

BRAF’s Location at the Maker Faire

Maker Faire is a two-day, family-friendly event that celebrates the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) mindset. This community of Makers who share their projects and skills comprise a growing DIY movement of people who look at things a little differently and who just might spark the next generation of scientists, engineers and makers.

poster: Veronica Ramirez

Celebrate "Duel Nature"

Previously exhibited at Burning Man in 2006, Duel Nature, by artist Kate Raudenbush, is unique in its materials. During Artown - Fire dancers and spinners from Controlled Burn will entertain Tuesday evenings 8:00 – 10:00. Hula Hoopers from Velocity Movement and bohohoops present "GET HOOPED" at Hoop Jams on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 - all levels and ages are welcome. Hula hoops provided or bring your own!

Join us in celebration of Duel Nature at the opening celebration:

May 21, 2010
5 pm - 10pm
Corner of Sierra St. and Island Ave. Reno, NV
Wine & Appetizers: Sierra Arts Foundation Gallery
and then along the RiverWalk

Hula Hoop Jam from 5-8,
followed by Fire Spinning by Controlled Burn
Music by DJSource

“Duel Nature references the spiral of our human DNA. The struggle inherent to the duality of the human condition is expressed by the violence of the raw plasma-cut, bolted steel exterior, in contrast with the vitality of the interior blood-red mirror. As visitors gather inside the vibrant core of the sculpture, their myriad reflections remind us of our shared genetic bond and our shared humanity.” says the artist Kate Raudenbush.

Prior posts about Duel Nature

poster: Maria Partridge

Another beautiful shot of Ecstasy!

Scout: Ecstasy in mid-day. #autostiched sculptue by Dan Das Mann & Karen Cusolito’s. Hayes Valley. # sfist
Originally uploaded by jason whalen

"Playa on the River" Duel Nature v3

Larry DeVincenzi, our guy in Reno said today:

Installation is underway downtown for Duel Nature - Kate Raundenbush's incredible sculpture that was featured in today's Reno Gazette-Journal “Playa on the River"

Here are a few shots of the crew's progess today!

Prior posts about Duel Nature

photos: Larry DeVincenzi

Installing Duel Nature v.2

More shots of the installation of Duel Nature in Reno, another fruitful collaboration with the vibrant and active Reno community. Duel Nature by Kate Raudenbush will grace the waterfront of the Truckee River in downtown Reno, NV from May 21, 2010 until December 1, 2010.

Kate making connections

Setting in place

Moving the perimeter
Richard's eagle eye sets the level

Larry DeVincenzi, our guy in Reno said today:

Check out this amazing volunteer effort today to get Duel Nature set init's temporary resting place downtown Reno. A huge THANK YOU to everyone who came out to help Kate Raudenbush and the team get it started!

Prior posts about Duel Nature

photos: Larry DeVincenzi

Volunteer Mixer v.2

Freddy Hahne, President, BRAF Board of Directors, "Grant Seeking"

Nick Morgan, BRAF Board of Directors "BRAF Events"

Michael Barbarino "Web Development"

Johnathan "ScrapEden"

Harley Dubois, BRAF Vice President Board of Directors "Grants to Artists"

Dicky Davies, BRAF Board of Directors "Grants to Artists"
Mark Sinclair, BRAF Board of Directors "Civic Arts and Fundraising"

Harley Dubois, founding member of both the Burning Man Board and the BRAF Board hosted the evening, and just in case you were not there I thought you might like to see her note to the volunteers after the evening.

Dear BRAF Volunteers,

What a wonderful mixer we had last week! It was a real success. To those of you new to volunteering for BRAF, and are now new to this announcement list, welcome! To those of you currently volunteering with BRAF who were able to attend the mixer, I cannot thank you enough for joining us. There is no better person for a new volunteer to connect with than a committed and active volunteer. Your continued support is the key to our success. Thank You! I hope you feel the love coming through this email.

For those of you couldn’t make it, we had about 50 attendees. We presented quick overviews of nine different areas of volunteer needs:

Fundraising
Civic Arts
Grants to Artists
Grant Seeking
BRAF Events
Scrap Eden
Web Development
The BRAF Blog and social networking
Children’s Programming

It is not too late to express interest in any area. In fact, it is perfect timing. Just email volunteers@blackrockarts.org and we will be in touch.

Thanks everyone for a fun and engaging evening.

Harley
--
Harley K. Dubois
Vice President
Grants to
Artists Chair
Black Rock Arts Foundation

photos: Patricia Rusich

Installing "Duel Nature" in Reno

Duel Nature has arrived in Reno, Nevada

photos: Maria Partridge

X marks the spot, Duel Nature will be installed here at the corner of Sierra St. and Island Ave. in Reno, NV.
photo: Crimson Rose

Previously exhibited at Burning Man in 2006, Duel Nature, by artist Kate Raudenbush, is unique in its materials, (Plasma cut steel, steel tubing, red acrylic mirror) scale (38’ x 38’) and artistic vision. During Artown - Fire dancers and spinners from Controlled Burn will entertain Tuesday evenings 8:00 – 10:00. Hula Hoopers from Velocity Movement and bohohoops present "GET HOOPED" at Hoop Jams on Wednesday evenings from 6:30-8:30 - all levels and ages are welcome. Hula hoops provided or bring your own!.

Join us in celebration of Duel Nature at the opening celebration:

May 21, 2010
5 pm
Corner of Sierra St. and Island Ave. Reno, NV
Wine & Appetizers: Sierra Arts Foundation Gallery
and then along the RiverWalk

Hula Hoop Jam from 5-8,
followed by Fire Spinning by Controlled Burn
Music by DJSource

7 Mindblowing Multimedia Projects

The Public Radio MAKER’S QUEST 2.0 article begins with:

From time to time, I come across innovative media content that gets under my skin, wows me with its sheer beauty or gravity, its simplicity or complexity. Often, I discover these projects serendipitously. Sometimes, I'm tipped off by other blogs I follow that track inventive storytelling.

Since I'm the kinda gal who likes to share and connect people to new and inspiring ideas, I offer these fascinating ongoing projects to you. Despite digital divides, the internet makes the world a much, much smaller place. Digital media can give us a sense of what it might be like to be a child in India, an elder in Africa or even someone who lives just a few blocks away.

And the article goes on to top the list with BRAF's 2007 grant recipient Global Lives.

Read more about it here: Public Radio MAKER’S QUEST 2.0.

Volunteer Mixer v.1

Last week the Black Rock Arts Foundation (BRAF) invited their staff, Board of Directors, Advisory Board, current volunteers and potential volunteers to an evening designed for everyone to get to know one another and to meet and greet new volunteers. BRAF has been very, very busy and has many projects in the pipeline, and the volunteers heard all about the Civic Arts, ScrapEden and other projects that are happening this summer. There was food, laughter and lots of mingling, with more photos to come, so watch this space.

You say you have been wanting to volunteer, well here is your chance, email here:

volunteers@blackrockarts.org

photos: affinity