Past Build Projects
Take a peek at the projects that have been built at The Generator in years past!
The End of Time
The End of Time is a dying clock, in fact it is a murdered clock. As a consequence, Time has stopped and now it will forever be Teatime. This artwork illustrates the death of one clock, which will result in the death of all clocks and therefore Time itself. It does so in a whimsical manner designed to disturb but entertain at the same time.
*2024 honorarium recipient
If you are familiar with the mad world of Wonderland you will know that the Red Queen accused the Mad Hatter of murdering time, which stopped at 6 o'clock and remained stuck at Teatime.
The End of Time is a large 22 feet tall climbable installation in the form of a surreal collapsing clock, pierced by a huge sword, its mechanism broken and exposed, its numerals distorted, with a giant teacup and a saucer perched precariously at the top. It is made of tubular steel, polished stainless steel, and aluminium, powder-coated in gold, silver, and antique bronze. It has faces on both the front and the back but there is something wrong with the display and it has curious curly hands on both sides. It also has strange spidery legs. A huge mysterious key is hanging inside it but what is it for? The Teacup that surmounts the Clock will be able to accommodate 6 people at a time sitting on a circular bench in a surprisingly intimate setting.
Team members include:
Andrea Greenlees
Andy 'LostMachine' Tibbetts
Skiland Judd
Lucas Reshi
Kelsey Owens
Unpopular Music or UNPOP
*2020 honorarium recipient
UNPOP, or "Unpopular Music," is an intimate, 8-channel listening environment.
It features exquisite, detailed sound works, including field recordings, abstract electroacoustic music, ambient textures, and other non-beat-oriented sonic experiences.
Encompassing a circular space 40 feet in diameter, the piece is built around a circle of small custom-built Hemisphere speakers, which enclose a listening area complete with soft couches for comfortable seating.
UNPOP Crew:
Stephan Moore (Chicago)
Scott Smallwood (Edmonton, AB),
Mike Flanders (SF)
Coney McConeface
*2024 honorarium recipient
Coney McConeface: The Life and Death of a Traffic Cone will be a large scale art piece being brought to Burning Man 2024.
Yes, this art is built to Burn!
Crew Members Include:
Chris "Kiwi" Hankins
John Finn
Ian "Beave" Beaverstock
Hippathy Valentine
Jayne Davidson
"Groovy Dave" Mahan
Hábitat
Habitat meaning where an organism lives is a symbol of coexisting in harmonious oneness inspired by hoods around the world and existence.
*2024 honorarium recipient
Habitat, the Sculpture:
Will be a 14 foot tall sculpture of hundreds of homes creating neighborhoods in the shape of a heart. As you approach, sensors will trigger lighting and as more people gather, the neighborhood will wake up.
Throughout his journey, Mark has observed the intricacies of human environments, from barrios to bustling city streets. These observations inspire "Hábitat," a piece that reflects his vision of communal living and harmony. "Hábitat" is more than a sculpture; it is a call to action, encouraging people to engage with their communities and foster a spirit of peace and cooperation.
In "Hábitat," Mark Rivera hopes to demonstrate the vital role individuals play in their communities, urging us all to embrace love and unity over conflict. His work is a testament to the power of art in transforming spaces and minds, inviting viewers to become active participants in the creation of a more harmonious world.
Mark Rivera, a visionary Puerto Rican artist, presents "Hábitat" a freestyle sculpture destined for Black Rock City. This piece is a labor of love, crafted purely by hand, guided solely by intuition and artistic spirit without the aid of computer programs. Mark allows his heart and hands to dictate the placement of each structural element, creating a living testament to the organic process of art making. To bring "Hábitat" to life, Mark seeks support to enlist speciality services such as skilled carpenters, welders and lighting engineers along with his lead crew member from Puerto Rico. This collaborative effort will culminate in the assembly of "Hábitat" at the Generator, fostering a community of creativity, craftsmanship and traditional Puerto Rican style throughout.
Project Lead:
Mark Rivera
Mir or
"Mir or" is a poignant art installation that seeks to invoke deep reflection on the enduring impact of wars and political conflicts through a visually striking representation of sea mines and a partially submerged boat.
Lead artists:
Irina & Stanislav Shmnike
Crafted from 2.5 mm polished stainless steel using hydroforming techniques, the sea mines appear suspended in the air by chains, while the boat is encrusted with natural shell limestone.
This project not only highlights the beauty and design perfection of sea mines but also underscores their destructive purpose and the broader theme of enduring war legacies, such as unexploded ordnances that continue to pose threats long after conflicts have ended.
The problem of landmine-contaminated regions after military conflicts worsens over time.
Unexploded ordnance from the First and Second World Wars still pose dangers. In Vietnam, Afghanistan, Syria, and other regions, people continue to be injured or killed by mines left from past conflicts.
The Golan Heights have been heavily mined since 1973. Large areas remain mined, and Israel has not been able to fully address this issue. Although demining efforts are ongoing, 50 years later, warning signs about mines are still common, and accidents occur every year.
The war in Ukraine has added a new mine-contaminated region to the world. An analytical report by Globsec states that demining Ukraine will be a "complex, costly, and nearly impossible" task that the country will ultimately face after the war ends. About 30% of Ukraine's territory (174,000 sq. km) has been subjected to intense combat operations. This area requires surveying and clearance due to the vast amounts of explosive ordnance left behind by the invaders. Consequently, Ukraine has become the largest mined territory in the world, surpassing former leaders like Afghanistan and Syria. Complete demining of Ukraine could take 757 years and cost billions of dollars.
Together For-never
Together For-never emerged from a personal experience of divorce within my family. The wedding ring symbolizes union and relationships. Together For-never breaks apart this symbol of the wedding ring. All relationships inevitably end. There is joy in moving on.
About the Artist
Simon Bellamy is a UK-based artist who first brought art to Burning Man as a contributing artist to the 2022 Honorarium project - 'Wild Horses of the American West'.
Following this, he built 'Forever', a large scale maquette of a hand, for the UK’s regional burn, Nest.
Simon has helped support other Honorarium artists such as Adrian Landan - 'Wings of Glory' and Turo Sandagdorj - 'Spirit of the Healing Siren'
Combining these experiences with his architectural studies, practical skills in building, welding, and woodworking, Simon is now embarking on his first project as a lead artist at Burning Man. His aim is to bring a conceptually powerful piece, one which resonates with Burning Man participants and creates a beautiful addition to this years Playa.
Team members include:
Adrian Landan
Rebekah Stetson
Lauren "Twinkely Dots" Hufft
Sjors "Harmonica"
Dr. Hannah Kelso
Max Hagenbach
Christian
David "Reason"
Tom Fenaille
Celina Arslanian
Christina
Jeremiah
