The intro and intent from the art grant

Introduction:

Why would alchemists aim for boring gold when they can aim for many more valuable things, like friendship, play, fun, amazement, beauty health and relaxation? This project improves the Unicorn play structure from 2012 by making it more durable, reusable, safer, easier to construct and deconstruct, all while allowing for more variety in forms of play and relaxation. Multi-level platforms, swings, hammocks, aerial apparatuses, nets and ropes join with a rainbow of shade, flags and lights to form a magical playhouse for all ages and abilities.

Describe your project in detail: *

Be as descriptive as possible. For example: Why does it exist? What will it look like? Where will it be – in the open/trees, stand alone/part of something larger, moving around? Does it encourage interaction and participation? How, with whom, and when – children/adults, daytime/night? What does it inspire – reflection/discussion/action? What materials will be used? SELL US YOUR IDEA!

This is essentially a wooden structure created with relatively simple post and beam methods that creates spaces for a wide variety of activity. The idea for this came from the amazing Nexus structure at Burning Man 2010... but WAY scaled down. The structure exists to for people to rediscover playfulness and relaxation in a very physical ways. Playground equipment for kids is great, but when we get big we don't lose the benefits of similar pieces of play. This project will help people sit around, hang out, dance on platforms, climb on posts, swing on swings, learn new skills on aerial apparatuses, push physical ability boundaries, and appreciate life from a safe perch. It will also be the formal setting for specific aerial hoop and aerial silks teaching workshops offered by the F-ing Unicorns, and possibly the setting for a coordinated performance, including the aerial points, platforms and the aerial rig attached to our mutant vehicle.

The setting would ideally be near center camp, near, or in the Fucking Unicorn theme camp, and on flat ground. Essentially this means the ideal location would be exactly where it was last year, or near there. This allows the structure to be accessible to all 24hrs a day, throughout the festival. Pretty lights, and more lighting will be added this year to ensure safety at night and more beauty throughout the day and night. The structure will be timber construction, held together with bolts and large screws. Large bedsheets in a full rainbow of colors will come off the sides adding shade and creating intimate spaces. Flags in full rainbow colors will add festive flair and tie the structure together with the rest of the Unicorn camp thematically.