Rage: the final chapter

Well, the penultimate chapter. The final chapter of Rage Against the Night will be when I transport all the bits and pieces up to the Alchemy property and begin its final assembly. For now, it’s all about the final prep of the pieces and confirming the actual construction technique.

For those just joining us, here’s what I’m talking about:

This is Rage Against the Night, a Large Art Burn for Alchemy [Georgia’s version of Burning Man, i.e., a regional burn]. This drawing is the most recent SUCCESSIVE APPROXIMATION, and after yesterday’s harvesting, the back end has undergone yet another GESTALT and modification. More on that later.

sidenote: Why is it a Large Art Burn? Because on Sunday night we will move it into position as part of the Temple, and we will burn it.

also too: The theme of the burn this time is “Lighting the Void,” and this piece is an interactive response to that theme.

Here’s what I’m doing this week.

First I’m taking these ≈4-foot sections of saplings and whacking off the ends at an angle.

Then I’m marking both ends for holes to be drilled.

I drill the holes and toss them into a pile.

I finished about 40 of these before being dragged away last week for a trip, and yesterday I picked up another 80 or so. It is probable that I haven’t snagged enough to complete my design as illustrated, but we’ll see.

You may have wanted a closer look at my professional and completely safe workspace.

Or not.

After I get all the pieces pointed and drilled, then I will assay an actual segment of the piece to make sure that the lumber and rope thingie I see in my head will actually hold together as a stable and sturdy arch. If so, then I just prepare my ropes and stuff and head back up to the venue for final assembly.

If not, then I’ll just build a support structure.

More later.