In Aztec mythology Xochipilli was a God of art, games, painting, writing, beauty, bohemia, altered states of mind and creativity. We have been invited by Burning Man to install on the Playa our sculpture of Xochipilli to celebrate a deep cultural trip in the desert of Nevada this year.
With support we will be able to take this installation for a week to Black Rock City, AUG 27—SEPT 4, where it will become a temple of creativity, radical self expression, plastic arts, visual performances, music and dance.
Based on the 3D-scanned model (by Dimensión N) of the real statue currently housed in the National Museum of Anthropology in Mexico City, it was designed and built at KanoShop.mx, LED lights programmed by OOSPP.
Both inside and outside, the sculpture is designed to give a new spiritual, physical and mental experience. It’s our own contemporary interpretation of the cult that the sacred image of the original figure of Xochipilli carries within.
This piece has been conceived to become an interactive image of the God that embraces all the artistic expressions as sacred.
After Burning Man we’re hoping to present Xochipilli at various events and venues in Mexico and worldwide. Its elaborately processed polygonal white skin will become a canvas for new media artists.
The original statue is of a single figure seated on a temple-like base, head tilted up, eyes open, jaw tensed, with his mouth half open and his arms opened to the heavens. Both the statue and the base upon which it sits are covered in carvings of sacred and psychoactive organisms including tobacco, mushrooms and various hallucinogenic, inebriating plants, commonly known as “power plants” (plantas de poder).
Xochipilli undoubtedly represents not simply the Prince of Flowers but more specifically the Prince of Inebriating Flowers, including the mushrooms that, in Nahuatl poetry, were called “flowers that intoxicate”. Known as curative and sacred, these plants were used in shamanic rituals for “healing the soul” and making people “connect” — which, we believe, is the main purpose of our artwork.
Collaboration is a mode of radical self-expression. Be a part of Xochipeople crew, make your contribution today!
Any kind of your support will:
● Make makers make… ● Provide more opportunities for interactive art and related events ● Inspire new ideas and actions through art ● Make the experience of Burning Man accessible to more people in Mexico ● Make the experience of Mexican culture accessible to more people all over the world ● Provide a nifty reward in return.
OUR GIFTS
‘The act of gift giving is one of Burning Man’s ten core principles. It is a reflection of our community’s culture on and off the playa. Gifting has been the source of delight, wonder and happiness and it has bound our community together in surprising ways’ (Burning Man).
Plus every donation will be rewarded with a ¡Muchas gracias! eCard (via email), ‘Your Name on Xochipilli’ and a Sticker with Xochipeople logo.
Although we’d love to deliver all your rewards, some of our pledges do not include shipping (international shipping, especially). Please, contact us to find out the delivery rates to your region xochipeople@gmail.com.
PROJECT COSTS & NEEDS
Main structure/Body (CNC-Laser Cuts, 4x8ft 15mm MDF) — 20,000 MXN
Golden Mask (CNC Cuts, Papier-Mâché) — 7,500 MXN
Skull — 7,500 MXN
Interactive Light Installation — 35,000 MXN
Power Plant (Solar or/and Fuel Generators, incl. Fuel for 10 days) — 20,000 MXN
Tools and Consumables (Hardware) — 20,000 MXN
Souvenirs for Burners — 5,000 MXN
Movie from the Burning Man about Xochipilli — 5,000 MXN
Shipping CDMX-BRC-CDMX — generously provided by our friends Mayan Warrior.
TOTAL BUDGET 120,000 MXN (Approx. 6,500 USD)
In-kind Support in Mexico City:
Laser cuts (hrs.) — for the wooden joints
Volunteers for assembling, disassembling, testing and packing
*You can also make a tax deductible donation and be issued a tax receipt.
By now, we made a good progress, but the main part of production is still ahead: skull, mask, programmed and CNC-carved Power Flower tattoos, etc. Much of the machining, a lot of cuts, lighting installation and its tests (with OOSPP and Mayan Warrior) are to be done in ONE month, but every day we’re getting closer to having all of its elaborate skin and wooden joints ready for being assembled together in one piece. That’s why we ask you to support our project as much as you can.
ONLY WITH YOUR CONTRIBUTION WE CAN BRING THIS ART TO BURNING MAN!