Photo by Volker Huenert
Please note that the deadline for Effigy and Temple designs has been extended to 1 September!
In light of this, we are having a conversation with BJ Wilson, the person to built the most recent Temple, for Kiwiburn 2018. His Temple of Perennial Bloom was a highlight for many, and here he tells us a bit about his inspiration, what he learned and what it meant:
Tell us a bit about yourself:
I first found out about Burning Man in 1996 via the internet, a year before I emigrated to New Zealand from Canada, but wasn’t able to attend for the first time until 2009. There, I saw my first Temple and also ran into a group of Kiwis who told me about Kiwiburn. I’ve been a Kiwiburner ever since, attending every year bar one. I was also part of the Giant Weta crew which went to BRC in 2016 and the Paddock in 2017, and helped out with Effigy built at Ignition.
What inspired you to build a temple for KB18?
After seeing my first Temple in 2009 and returning to BM the following year, I realised that Temple was a therapeutic place for me. The collective energy of these spaces prompts me to do some hard work for myself and deal with different things going on in my life. Having received this benefit from other artist’s efforts, I wanted to give back and take on the challenge of providing such a space. My experience with the Weta also helped me understand that with the right people and some enthusiasm, anything can be achieved.
How did you come up with the design?
Taking Temples I liked into consideration, I was keen to use recycled material which would be flexible, could be burned and also flat-packed nicely. A combination of the material, plus the need for a structurally sound design resulted in what was effectively a yurt with flying buttress arches. I wanted something organic and natural and upon looking at the sketched wall design it resembled a pot and the arches resembled leaves. So it evolved into a potted plant design that was a fertile growth metaphor that fit in nicely with what a temple can be for people.
What were some of the learnings, challenges and surprises that came from your experience?
I had to learn how to efficiently tee up work for the team because there was a lot of pre-fab work. I learned how amazing and intense the onsite build process can be and I taught myself some structural stuff. When the temple was first opened to Burners onsite, I was no longer mine and I had to allow people to experience it for themselves, to let the space be the space and let everyone discover it for themselves. The surprise was in letting it go and see what people made of the space.
Do you have some words of wisdom for other potential Effigy and Temple builders?
Arranging scaffolding is important. Plan for longer than you think and with fewer people than committed. We did a lot of pre-fab work, planned for three day built onsite, actually took five and we had great weather, so allow for bad weather days. Embrace your crew and find enthusiastic volunteers early because they will bring things you did not anticipate. Lastly, budget time for onsite finessing like lighting, which always takes longer than anticipated.
