Balsa Man 2012 :: “Chance”
Temple of Baby Steps by Morley Roarly (photo by Keller Holmes)
As a result of last year’s hullabaloo, Balsa Man is faced with multiple conundrums: Where should we host this year’s event? Will moving the event damage the underlying spirit of the Balsa community? How will we deal with the ticket scarcity problem to keep it both fair and free of dirty rotten scalpers?
A problem is a chance for you to do your best. ~ Duke Ellington
Instead of damning the whims of fate that resulted in last year’s hullabaloo, this year Balsa Man will celebrate serendipity and the fortuitous fiascos which make Balsa Man the wonderful event it is! …it is 2012 after all, the year the world ends, or at least that’s what I’ve been told.
A Celebration of Chance
The whims of fate can smile on you one moment and cast you down the next. However with dash of wit, a bit of creativity, and an ounce of spirit even with worst hand dealt by Lady Luck can be turned into an opportunity. This is especially true with Balsa Man, for the Balsa community has all three of these things in spades — plus a heaping spoonful of pluck and perseverance!
A pound of pluck is worth a ton of luck. ~ James A. Garfield
We encourage this year’s participants and artists to explore the theme of Chance, whatever that means to you: interactive exciting games of chance, immersive explorations of the winds of fate, or the drama of destiny. However matching the theme is not a requirement for creating art nor for receiving art grants.
Tickets
As a result of Balsa Man selling out last year, we were forced to revise how tickets can be acquired. After much consideration, the Balsa Man Org is proud of our solution to the ticket problem — it’s fair, eliminates the problem of scalpers, and best of all is inspired by this year’s theme!
Donors who donate prior to August 2nd 2012 will receive a number of tickets equal to the roll of a 6 sided die +/- their donor level modifier. (see the BPAF donation page for more info)
Additional tickets will only be available at any of the Balsa Man Ticket Casino events leading up to the main event. At the ticket casino, participants can win tickets by playing any number of games of chance including craps, roulette, and bingo! While obviously not everyone will win a ticket to Balsa Man, all participants will have a fair shot!
No tickets are required for kids 12 and under since as tiny humans they are considered art.
When
Balsa Man 2012 will be on Saturday, September 1th. We encourage participants to arrive early to enjoy the tiny art on display. You can come early if you want, but I won’t recommend being late—the event is as short as it is tiny. The Balsa Man will burn at twilight (8pm)—balsa burns fast so be on time! The Temple and other tiny art will burn immediately after the Balsa Man burns.
Where
Balsa Man location has not yet been decided. Nor has it been decided how we will announce the location. The best way to keep abreast of location and other details is to watch this space, follow the Balsa Blog, Balsa Man on twitter, and/or join the Tiny Mail List.
Get more out of Balsa Man by participating!
We encourage all to get more out of your Balsa Man by participating: Create tiny art, join the Balsa DPW, host a Balsa Build Night, write for the Balsa Blog, donate to the Black Pebble Arts Foundation.
Host a Balsa Regional in your home town!
We continue to encourage new regional balsa burns around the country and the world! If you would like to host your own regional burn and are interesting in receiving a tiny art grant please review our Balsa Regionals page and then please contact gro.namaslabnull@slanoiger. Balsa Regional leads are eligible for Tiny Art Grants to go towards the creation and promotion of their Balsa Regional!
