Off-Tankwa AfrikaBurn Events - How does the Burner spirit translate?

[Travis]

I’d like to discuss how the spirit of AfrikaBurn translates into off-Tankwa events. Specifically the Decompression, Equinox and Recompression events. Firstly, I’d like to state that I believe the Special Events team is doing and has done a fucking great job, in creating events which not only bring the community together but also attract a large number of Burn virgins by virtue of their urban locations. This is a good thing.

However, the converse applies: by being in urban locations, these events attract a large number of punters to whom the idea of AfrikaBurn appeals, but are not aware of the underlying culture, nor how this translates into their participation and behaviour at Special Events. Now, let me be clear: I’m not talking about drunken rowdiness or batshit craziness. It’s a jol, comes with the territory. I’m actually talking mostly about Leave No Trace but also generally.

I understand that Special Events are mandated to stage events which both reflect the ethos and content of AfrikaBurn, and raise funds for Creative Grants. In these respects they have proven themselves, and I salute them for their sterling efforts. But – and bear in mind I am speaking from a Communications team point of view – I think more must be done to make use of the opportunity that Special Events present, to communicate what AfrikaBurn is about. Yes, these are events where people enjoy themselves, have a drink and shake a leg. But they are AfrikaBurn events, and I feel we are missing a trick, a chance to speak to our community.

We have to be more active about MOOP. Creatively, prominently but unignorable. In your face but witty. Now I understand that in an urban location, the same dynamic does not apply as in the pristine Tankwa Karoo. But a recycling agenda – a la Rocking The Daisies’ example - must surely begin to feature. This, in tandem with creative messaging, should create the necessary awareness. Maybe a MOOP team of flaming hot French Maids, or something along the lines of the Green Police at The Flamjangled Tea Party. Whatever the solution, I would like to say that, as an individual, I was shocked at the amount of litter when I ended my set, and walked into the Main Stage area. It looked like any other popular event. But it was not any other event. It was an AfrikaBurn event. I asked at the bar for black bin bags to initiate a clean up, but there were none. At the end of what was for me a fucking awesome party, I left a little jaded, I must be honest. But this isn’t about me. It’s about us. As a community.

So, as a member of the Communications team, I propose that Comms take the initiative and at future Special Events, participate by taking on the role of creating elements which communicate the ethos of AfrikaBurn to those attending. Once again, we have a chance for great creative interventions. It’ll take work and discussion, but I believe it has to be done.

Please express yourself on this matter. This is our forum – make your voice heard!

[liz linsell]

Hi

I agree with all the issues you have so succinctly expressed mister Trav.. well put. And yes to using these opportunities to raise awareness and instill the ten principles.. there was talk wbout raising awareness of MOOP at this event however bandwidth was too limited this time round but the discussions and ideas have started. I will happily link the two where i can.. cos this is MOOP at special events and when the MOOP team meets this thursday I willr aise this very issue.

Patrick and i also requested black bags and ja it was an oversight this time round and it wont happen again... spoke to Devin bout it..
some very brief ideas for now - more later

can crushing.... every can we picked up, post event ,was not crushed except the few that were left under car tyres (yes the litter extended way out the door and down the street) wud be so awesome for MOOP team (or anyone) to develop a can crushing bike (like we have seen on videos of BM) or a mutant animal with similar cruching capabilities as bike (joburg zoo) this is awareness in action and peepl have fun doing it. It needs to travel to Tankwa too.. big recycling recepticle right behind it

Glass - would be great to move away from glass in the long run...

stompies - gifting of butt boxes - Paul and I have done this in the past we shoudl keep that going - we had positiv feedback

Maybe something at the gate - with a ticket to include strong message (s)

Leave no trace posters (funky and eye catching and provocative) to go in every toilet and outside the toilet door (everyone goes there during the nite...)

radical measure is dj stops playing till trash picked up..? has been done before at parties and really works

laters

Liz

[Spacecowboy]

Good call, Trav.

Integrating strategic communication into special events in creative ways makes good sense.

Shani, commsters and special eventers brains clicking together...

Maybe at a basic level some kind of easily re-usable thing, like funny signage or posters can spread the word. Sometimes the simplicity of visible words/graphic can go a long way. and they keep talking the whole night.

Highlighting "how do we talk about moop at the next special event?" is a good idea. (obviously a major for the burn as well)

[Travis]

Thanks for the replies, guys. All of these are great ideas.

I particularly like the idea of reusable signage. I'll start thinking about those.

In particular - and I believe Regan actually did this at Earthdance - is for each DJ or band to stop the music and announce that they won't continue until the MOOP on the dancefloor/arena is picked up. It's a very effective way of dealing with the problem at the time it's created. At the end of the night, you can't engage the audience en mass, yet you are faced with their aftermath. Having stepped up to fill an MCish role on Saturday night, that opportunity must also be used. Obviously, you get more with honey than stings, but the hive needs to hear it from every angle.

Forward to a MOOPless AfrikaBurn!

[Angel-Devil]

Great points Trav. I agree that the amount of litter is disconcerting.
I feel the same way after every event I attend across the spectrum (including the burn).

Absolutely, Comms needs to take on this role and liaise with SpecCom from the get-go. Principles should be reiterated throughout the marketing roll-out.
Like your idea about dedicating a team to educate and have a little fun doing so.

What was done at both Decom & Equinox:
> 20 wheely bins placed around the venue (perhaps double this?)
> All waste sorted an recycled off site by third party company
> Sign/s where placed around the venue with 10 principles (more next time?)

Looking fwd to working closely with Comms on 'Recompression' event in 3.5 months time.

[Travis]

Thanks for the feedback, Devin.

With all the bright sparks we have on board, I reckon we can arrive at effective solutions which not only address the MOOP issue (both in Tankwa Town and at off-Tankwa events) but also create a lean, mean and reusable set of messaging which leaves no-one in any doubt of what it's all about.

[Ranger Bob]

woop woop

more creative re-usable signage; possible portable can crushing art works; possible request that any events or artist troupe wanting to come perform and use this as a marketing vehicle needs to riding the moop vehicle as well?

I always support the french maids (as long as there are french men maids and french mindflayer maids); the more performance spectacle fun we make it. On Saturday a tall rag dolls and bouncing tigers could have be spirited moopers too. I guess education, and shudder policing is needed but the best thing to change behaviour is through positive behaviour.

Maybe at Vol hive we can think of some swag (material moop bags) that can be dished out to impromptu mooping; like spontaneous hugs we need infection!

[Senor Neek]

Thanks for the feedback, Devin.

With all the bright sparks we have on board, I reckon we can arrive at effective solutions which not only address the MOOP issue (both in Tankwa Town and at off-Tankwa events) but also create a lean, mean and reusable set of messaging which leaves no-one in any doubt of what it's all about.

Travis, you're in the game of getting messages across to the unwilling to communicate, uninterested, detached, far gone, otherwise occupied, immune, deranged and apathetic.

HOW then do we convey a few, SIMPLE rules to everyone BEFORE they start climbing into the medicinal brandy? The fact of the matter is that some of us give a shit and others don't, especially when we've had a few. Reasoning with a drunk is like arguing with your wife - deep down you know that you're gonna lose, no matter what crazy stunts you pull. I like those odds but most can't contemplate repeated hidings of that nature...

We need to convey a message in short, swift blow to the still-functioning areas of the cerebral cortex. Flyers ain't the answer and neither is a handout at the entrance....so, where do we go from here? I would propose skywriting and the Goodyear Blimp but, unfortunately, times are tough and my line of credit got nixed by that great computer in the sky.

I think we all get a sense that various cliques in Cpt may have transported themselves to the Tankwa with little knowledge or concern for the principles of AB. How do we get someone whose perfectly happy to crap in the bushes within 10metres of the nearest tent to understand that flicking his butt/beercan/bouffant into the nearest karoobossie is U.N.A.C.C.E.P.T.A.B.L.E? I spent a lot of time picking up after others in our general camp area. The most common response I got was not gratitude but a lack of comprehension...why would someone go around picking up others' rubbish voluntarily?

I still wholeheartedly believe that the message is simple: IF YOU BROUGHT IT INTO THE TANKWA, YOU MUST TAKE IT OUT. What about a few posters/billboards along the lines of those "Bokkie says..." roadside posters that traumatised us all so severely as juveniles?

[Travis]

Senor Neek! Good to have you throw your ten pennies in the mix, top man.

I, like you, still can't comprehend how people behave the way they do. Our AfrikaBurn is, after all, a radical departure from normal life, so, in line with this, I think radical measures are required.

One idea being mulled over is MOOP stocks (ie: stocks as in the medieval wooden block into which your hands and head are locked).

Now, I'm not saying we maroon some poor fucker out there in the midday sun, to fry. I think a great and creative way to use these would be to have a posse of volunteer anti-MOOP agents kidnap a MOOPer, put them in the stocks, and then...the brilliant clincher - throw water balloons at them.

Now I realise this could lead to willing MOOPing in order to get wet - hey, this is just an idea, its kinks need working out - but the sentiment is, I believe, correct.

Creative interventions are what's needed. Educational, inclusive, participation-based, crowd-attracting, spectacle-creating. With an underlying message which leaves nobody in doubt as to the lesson: THOU SHALT NOT FUCKING MOOP.

There's of course a greater lesson here too: green behaviour, recycling, treading lightly, which takes us back to the start of this thread: the idea of being responsible for your trash isn't a Tankwa-only concern, it speaks to our off-Tankwa events too, and generally about how the AfrikaBurn spirit translates into off-Tankwa events and our community in general.

[Captain Jon]

Loving all the feedback on this subject and here is my 2 cents...

I feel that the general burner education is lacking on and off Tankwa in South Africa. I don't think the situation is totally un fixable, I just feel its a time issue. The more people that get exposed to the burner culture, the more people learn about the principles.

The litter problem was really bad this year on Tankwa. The state of the Succulent dome every morning was worse than the look of the Equinox party cause at least there were garbage bins around at the party on the weekend. Bins are something I don't feel should be encouraged at the event.

Solving this problem i feel is long term, it's all part and parcel with my recommendation to the Directors and Members of keeping the actual AB event limited to 5000 people so that we can grow our volunteer/participation base. The more burners get educated, the more they pass on the knowledge. The tighter we keep it, the more the principles will shine through.

It's all about creating good burners. I love the ideas above and will help support any education efforts that are implemented. I do feel with time though... It'll all come right. On and Off Tankwa.