Community Art Makers

I’ve finally gone thru all the photos and pulled out a few more shots from the construction phase. These were mostly taken in the last 5 days before we opened the Temple to the public, although there are a few older shots that I neglected to post in earlier updates.

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All Photos © 2009 Ira Weinschel

Inspired by some of Ryan Hayes’ work, I decided to try a few 360 degree panoramic shots during the Temple build. The shots for this first one were taken our second day on the playa with my tripod set up over the surveyor’s flag marking the center of the Temple. They really illustrate how empty the playa was when we first got there! Work on the “man base” had just begun and I think most of the DPW volunteers were still staying in Gerlach at night.

This post is gonna be brief–I’m in a hotel in Reno (the Silver Legacy if anyone’s hanging out in the area tonight . . . ) and honestly, I’m too exhausted to put together a coherent sentence right now. We completed the Temple and opened it to the public Tuesday night–the outpouring of gratitude from the Temple visitors was truly amazing.

With exhausted bodies and heavy hearts, we bid farewell to the Temple Sunday night in a glorious burst of fire. A few photos are included here; I’ll post more later once I get back to Austin.

All Photos © 2009 Ira Weinschel

After 3 months of non-stop effort, we’re officially down to the wire. Our deadline is Sunday at midnight and we’re working like crazy to get everything finished on time. We’re pretty much on schedule but it’s gonna be tight. Fortunately, we’re getting a lot of extra help from the DPW crew–despite their gruff reputation they’ve been beyond awesome, putting in full days at their DPW tasks and then coming over to help us out in their “off time”. The Temple crew is truly grateful to the DPW Heavy Machinery team and the DPW general staff. Y’all are the best!

We’re finishing up the ramps that lead into the Temple today and then we start on the last major task–moving the giant “ribs” into place. The longest of them are 30 feet long and they won’t be truly stable until they’re all in place so it’s going to be quite a task for the heavy equipment crew that will be craning them into place.

Finally, the fire tornado is complete except for some last minute tweaks. We did a test fire yesterday with just one of the three flame jets and it was pretty spectacular–a thin stream of fire that shot all the way to the top of the 30-foot enclosure. Everyone who saw it was in awe at what the tornado crew (aka Team Dorothy) has managed to pull off. We’re all optimistic and anxiously waiting to see the finished product.

Thanks again for all of your kind comments and support!

All Photos © 2009 Ira Weinschel

A week has gone by since I wrote the first playa update and a tremendous amount has been accomplished since then. The base plate for the fire tornado has been installed, the hex columns have been set up and we should have flooring on the 2nd floor by tonight. This thing is finally starting to look like a temple!

The crew has been working day and night to get back on schedule and it looks like we’re more or less ‘on track’ right now. The weather has been mercifully cooperative–it’s hot and dry of course but except for yesterday, the wind hasn’t been too much of a factor so far. (Yesterday was windy and dusty all day long–ugh!)

We started out with a skeleton crew of 15 or 20 but our ranks are swiftly growing. I’d guess we’re around 40 or 45 now and new people are arriving each day. Before long we’ll have an army of Temple builders!

All Photos © 2009 Ira Weinschel

NOTE: I actually wrote this post a week ago but I’ve been too busy working and shooting to find someplace with interweb access so I could post it. Sorry for the delay!

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It’s only been 5 days since I met up with the Temple caravan in Reno but it feels like a lifetime ago. It was a tough trip for the die-hard crew who did the drive but everyone arrived on the playa safe and sound late Tuesday night (around 12:30am) and then proceeded to unload the trucks for the next 5 hours. Life on the Temple crew is glamorous indeed!

We got off to a slow start because Home Depot was 2 days late delivering our lumber and building supplies but the crew has been working their tails off to try to make up for lost time.

We hit our first big milestone last night–the central tower for the first floor was lifted into place. After all these months of plannirg, working and praying, we finally have something tangible to show for our efforts. Seeing this section of the first floor put together really drives home the massive scale of this project. When all is said and done, the Temple will be 53 feet tall–almost 20 feet taller than our last project and dramatically more complex.

We don’t have internet or cellphone access at the Temple build site so we’ve had almost no contact with our friends and family but rest assured we’re thinking of you and we’ll post updates on our progress whenever we can. Thanks to everyone who has helped us get to this point!

All Photos © 2009 Ira Weinschel

We loaded up a trailer, two box trucks and a semi this week & soon enough, the caravan will be heading to Nevada.   It’s been a long summer but an amazing ride.  I can’t wait for Part Two!

A few words from Adam.  Thanks, we love you both too.  : )

The compound was humming last night. It took on the energy of a well-oiled machine as four teams worked on separate projects that will be joining on the Playa. One group built trusses, another created box beams, others were making custom cuts and carving the exquisite panels.

Back in the house, a group was making buttons, sewing their own art and creating costumes. All this was happening while a delicious Indian stir fry was being prepared with veggies from the farmers market. (We love you, Ish!)

Everyone at the compound ate hard, worked hard, and it was truly a community connecting to make art. Dave and Marrilee were nowhere to be seen – working off site on metalwork. One week before departure: the pieces and the people are coming together. We’re almost there!