Animated Love (Films), Recycled Bouquets for Love, and Post-Valentine’s Art Installation by Rod Pujante
Thursday, February 14th and Saturday, February 16th, 2008

Plastic Flowers by Artist Mark Hinkley

Thursday, February 14 & Saturday, February 16, 2008
Valentine Special: Xara Flower-Making Workshop
Noon-2pm
If love is eternal, why not make a Valentine’s Day bouquet that’ll last just as long? Burning Man artist and attorney Mark Hinkley will show participants how to create a bouquet of artificial flowers, cut and unfolded from recycled soda bottles. Bring forth an astonishing variety of flower and botanical forms, all hiding within the shape of a humble plastic bottle! The technique is simple, infinitely variable, and easy to learn. First-come, first-served. All materials provided. For ages 6 and up. Craft-friendly bottles were donated by the Calistoga Beverage Company.
Mark Hinkley is the founder and art director of The Xaraproject, which produces installations and festivals. Named after an imaginary paradise civilization from Earth’s future, Xara installations feature ruins shrouded in an interactive, blacklight jungle and have appeared at fancy hotels, airplane hangars, drainage culverts, and bowling alleys. To learn more, visit www.xaraproject.org.

Saturday, February 16, 2007
Valentine’s Day Weekend Films: The Animated Heart
McBean Theater, 2pm
This collection of short animated films examines the occasional tension between the heart and mind and deftly captures the emotional pull of love. Lovesick (2007, 8:30 min) by Spela Cadez is an animated tale of the discovery of love between a boy with a weak heart and a girl whose body is on backwards. Made in Slovenia using claymation techniques. Tunnel of Love (1996, 5 min.) by Helen Hill is an animated film that captures the carnival atmosphere of the South Carolina State Fair. Helen’s filmmaking is handcrafted and features photo-booth images that she collected. On the Moon (2004, 2 min.) by Robert M. Charde and Chris Boyce is a joyful jaunt through the stars, as a banjo-playing dog croons to his sweetheart. More titles to be announced.

Flowers from a Nuclear Winter
A Live Art Installation by Rod Pujante
Saturday, February 16, 2008
11am - 4pm
Phyllis Wattis Webcast Studio

Co-sponsored by the Black Rock Arts Foundation and the Exploratorium

Imagine a cosmic disaster where particles fill the air, obliterating the sun and plunging the earth in darkness. In the aftermath of Valentine’s Day, Burning Man artist Rod Pujante creates life without chlorophyll with a live demonstration of transparent flower-making. Using tiny cutters, pliers, and clear plastic bottles, Rod converts waste into a dreamscape of colorless blooms. Stop by to watch the garden grow—he’ll be available to answer questions. To make your own plastic flowers, visit the Xara Flower-Making Workshop from 12 noon-2 p.m. in the Skylight area.

Rod Pujante has twice fallen in love: first with the vibrant art scene in Paris, second with the wonders of Burning Man.