I've been participating in the SCA for around 8 years. Burning Man came along afterward. Being part of the two cultures has made me think about how to merge elements of the two. While Burning Man is a perennial event, I've found that Burner artists are still trying to find ways to experience a culture that effectively continues to eject them from the "box". Burning Man regionals have begun to pop up to help build on this lifestyle. But how do they grow into a state of solidarity?
SCA is an international non-profit society that provides an excellent model of regionalism. This model makes it possible to actively participate in its growth all year round. It does so by building a virtual world which is effectively superimposed over the political map of today, and governed by political seats that are handed on by its own developed traditions.
In my experience of SCA, I have found its traditions lacking in many ways. Namely, it needs a cultural revolution of young, fresh, creative blood who can stir it out of its own dark ages into a new Renaissance of fun and games. Burning Man, in turn can learn a few things from SCA... A maturity perhaps... ? A deeper environmental awareness... SCA's highest law is Chivalry while Burning Man's highest law is radical self-awareness/ self-reliance and self-expression.
Living in the dream of SCA for the past 8 years has given me awareness of living off the land in many climates, living in tolerant community, creating authentic art, building theme camps and performance art. I have been able to cultivate radical artistic expression through the "current middle ages", and have been able to expand that by connecting with other radicals through Burning Man/
I think the greatest gift I can give both groups is that of one another.
So I invite my fellow dreamers to climb on board my mythical sailing ship to other worlds. I launch this dream ship in hopes of discovering new horizons of expression together...
SCA is an international non-profit society that provides an excellent model of regionalism. This model makes it possible to actively participate in its growth all year round. It does so by building a virtual world which is effectively superimposed over the political map of today, and governed by political seats that are handed on by its own developed traditions.
In my experience of SCA, I have found its traditions lacking in many ways. Namely, it needs a cultural revolution of young, fresh, creative blood who can stir it out of its own dark ages into a new Renaissance of fun and games. Burning Man, in turn can learn a few things from SCA... A maturity perhaps... ? A deeper environmental awareness... SCA's highest law is Chivalry while Burning Man's highest law is radical self-awareness/ self-reliance and self-expression.
Living in the dream of SCA for the past 8 years has given me awareness of living off the land in many climates, living in tolerant community, creating authentic art, building theme camps and performance art. I have been able to cultivate radical artistic expression through the "current middle ages", and have been able to expand that by connecting with other radicals through Burning Man/
I think the greatest gift I can give both groups is that of one another.
So I invite my fellow dreamers to climb on board my mythical sailing ship to other worlds. I launch this dream ship in hopes of discovering new horizons of expression together...
posted by:
|
Colorado
|
-
Re: Cross References
Mon, July 17, 2006 - 12:52 AMwhile its a really old topic and I see nothing at fault with the sentiment.. (aka dont confuse my devils advocate play for condemnation:)
there are certain things about the sca as a whole that are intergral to its function.. namely the Chivalric Ideal.. while a victorian concept it is never the less a big part of the sca and how its played.. something Ive heard refered to as the currency of Renown... many of the same ideals you state about "burning man" are already within the sca.. the creative collective of the sca .. BUT only as it applies to the Mideval world.. aka you can make whatever you want.. so long as its pre 16th century:D even that isnt a hard and fast rule.. considering tribal dancing is a hodge-podge of many different beledi dance conjoined into a movement created in the 80's ( I cate recall off hand the full details ) yet its " close-to-period" status is accepted because the sca is developing a liberal view of the "rule of the game"...
Do I think its a good notion? absolutely.. .
not nessessarily because I think glowsticks and fuzzy coats would blend well with the sca.. but because I think the spirit of self is a good thing to foster anywhere you can.. since the sca is geared toward growth in a simplistic setting its not a big leap to make the setting a bit more complex..
having been in the sca since 1991 I think that growth your seeking is already coming to pass within the group.. there was a time when things done now at events would bring the wrath of kings ... now the kings are hanging out at the fire and enjoying the scene.... the sca has lightened up more in the general acceptance of others wishes for fun... of course theres more that could be done in that regard.. but really time takes care of a lot... especially with exposure..
the key point where youll find resistance is on the " pent-up fundamentalist right wing" aspect of the sca... there are for sure many who maintain it must be THUS.. and it must be that way for everyone... personally so long as the focus is the modern mideval ( aka glowsticks are great ... IN THE PORTAJOHN:D))... Im fine with most whatever myself..
-
Re: Cross References
Sun, July 23, 2006 - 5:28 PMOf corse you know I infect everything with my Burning Sca buggies. Yah hahn.
