BURNING MAN’S MAGICAL – CELTIC FOREST – TO CREATE FIRE SPECTACLE BY THE RIVER

BURNING MAN’S MAGICAL “CELTIC FOREST”

TO CREATE FIRE SPECTACLE BY THE RIVER

Previously exhibited at Burning Man in 2008, “Celtic Forest: Book of the Raven” will soon transform an empty lot by the Truckee River into a dramatic interactive art installation, performance venue and community gathering spot. Its presentation is unique, not only in its materials of metal and fire, but also in its scale and artistic vision. Celtic Forest was conceptualized by Laura Kimpton and created by artists Jeff Schomberg, Antonio Ruperto, and Bob Hofmann.

This temporary installation will be located on the corner of Island and Sierra and features a 16-foot tall, steel and copper book entitled “The Book of the Raven”, two 10-foot tall sculptures, and three 20-foot tall flaming metal trees called “Treelabra’s”. Weekly, fire special effects will light up the night sky while fire dancers and spinners from Controlled Burn will surround the Forest creating an evening fire spectacle never before presented in downtown Reno. This free outdoor exhibit will run June 26 through November 30, 2009.

Celtic Forest is an environment where the elements of nature, earth, wind, water, and fire, literally and figuratively represented, are balanced with the human senses. Each of the Gods/Goddesses are surrounded by moats representing an element – and all moats will represent fire. Artist Laura Kimpton states, “We hope to create a Celtic place where you can break free from the voice of words, so that other voices, the voice of sight, the voices of intuition, smell, and nature – can be heard and celebrated. The sculptures are half-human and half-animal, bird or fish, symbolizing that the need to tune into the animal side of our nature…”

Various parts of Celtic Forest have since been exhibited in Museums, Art Galleries, and Benefits, including: “Close to the Flame” Museum of Art & History, Santa Cruz, CA; “Burning Words” Exhibition, Laura Kimpton & Jeff Schomberg, NY Studio Gallery, New York; “Bringing Back the Fire”, Santa Rosa Junior College Art Gallery, Santa Rosa, CA; “Treelabra” Site Installation, Forest Ethics Benefit, Supperclub, San Francisco; and “In Flight” Site Installation, Project One Gallery, San Francisco.

“This is the second Burning Man art installation to come to Reno through the collaboration of the Civic Art Program of the Black Rock Arts Foundation, the non-profit art organization of Burning Man, and The City of Reno Arts and Culture Commission’s grant program. “Celtic Forest: Book of the Raven” supports the mission of the Reno Arts program to involve its citizens in the community’s cultural life and encourage artistic excellence,” said Maria Partridge, Reno project liaison for BRAF.

“We believe the exhibition of Celtic Forest will serve the community in many ways,” said Crimson Rose, Member Board of Directors, BRAF and Director of Art Management for Burning Man. “By enhancing civic space through the temporary transformation of an empty lot into a dramatic art presentation is what we are most passionate about at BRAF.” Continued Rose, “by creating this artistic gathering spot with weekly performances and workshops that provide free entertainment and interactive possibilities for all to enjoy is the true fulfillment of our mission.”

BRAF extends its sincerest gratitude to the City of Reno Arts and Culture Commission, Freight House District LLC, Sierra Arts Foundation, United Rentals, Fernley Electric, Peppermill, Sands Regency and the BRAF-Reno Support Team.

Organization Mission and Organization History:

The Black Rock Arts Foundation (BRAF) emerged in 2001 as a small but ambitious effort to enrich civic life through art. Its growth since then reflects a spreading awareness of the benefits community-based art projects can bring to a broader society, despite – or even because of – their origins outside the traditional models and institutions associated with artistic expression. Art can thrive outside the walls of museums and galleries, in public places that encourage direct involvement with people who encounter it. BRAF consistently seeks to include an expanding universe of people to participate in creation, presentation and experience of art. BRAF partners with individuals, community groups, other foundations and city and governmental agencies to accomplish this work. Art projects facilitated in this collaborative way generate social participation that manifests through the creation of the works themselves and by inspiring people to engage one another throughout that work.

The Foundation operates from San Francisco, California but strives for a broader reach. In 2006 and 2007, supported projects in regions beyond the Bay Area including grants for work in Alaska and New York, and even oversees in Amsterdam, Brazil and South Africa.