AfrikaBurn is an art festival held annually in the Tankwa Karoo. Every year thousands of free spirits gather in Tankwa Town to enjoy a strong sense of community among strangers, and gawk at enormous art installations, many of which are traditionally set on fire. In order to build up the excitement for this year’s festival, happening on 1 – 6 May 2013, we bring you our top 10 amazing AfrikaBurn art installations and how you can apply to create one. Be inspired!
Amazing AfrikaBurn Art installations
This year the theme for AfrikaBurn is Archetypes.
Above: “The Wish” by TNT from AfrikaBurn 2008.
Above: “Uranus” by Charl Bothma from AfrikaBurn 2011.
Above: “The San Clan” by the Clan Crew (designed by Mike Rule) from AfrikaBurn 2012.
Above: “Spirit” by TNT from AfrikaBurn 2011. Photo by Jonx Pillemer.
Above: “The Heart Locket Alter” by HeartSpace. Photo by Gregor Rohrig.
Above:”Solace” by Simon Max Bannister and the Temple Collective from AfrikaBurn 2012. Photo by Jonx Pillemer.
Above: “The San Clan” by the Clan Crew (designed by Nathan Honey) from AfrikaBurn 2011. Photo by Jonx Pillemer.
Above: “Lizzy” by The Fatas Morgana from AfrikaBurn 2012. Photographed by Jonx Pillemer
Above: Boxing Bunnies by the Fatas Morgana from AfrikaBurn 2012. Photograph by Jonx Pillemer
Above: “The Sand Man” by Charl Bothma from AfrikaBurn 2010. Photo by Goosebump.
Guidelines for creating an AfrikaBurn Art Installation
If you’re inspired to create an art installation of your own for AfrikaBurn 2013, here are 8 things to think about:
1. Interactivity
Try to create artwork which will get the whole community engaging with it.
2. Materials
It is encouraged to use recycled waste materials to make your AfrikaBurn art installation. Keep in mind that your artwork will be built in a public space. If you’re planning to burn your artwork, avoid using materials that will give off toxic gases when burning. For more guidelines about burning installations, check out the burning artwork guidelines.
3. Safety
If your artwork is tall or light, make sure that it is anchored properly. This can be done by using ropes and anchor points which you can soften with rubber or foam just to make sure nobody gets hurt.
4. Lighting
Make sure your artwork is well lit at night for both safety and aesthetic reasons. This way people get to view your amazing AfrikaBurn art installation at all times of the day.
5. Set up
If your art installation is quite big, you might want to consider coming to AfrikaBurn earlier in the week before the gates open. You can email art@afrikaburn.com for permission to arrive earlier.
6. Getting there
Remember that you’re taking your artwork installation a long distance, so keep the long stretch of dirt road in mind as well as the weighbridges. You may want to think about making the correct transport arrangements.
7. Accountability
When you leave AfrikaBurn, please make sure that none of your amazing AfrikaBurn art installation is left behind as we want to leave the beautiful Karoo the same way we found it.
8. Registration
You can register your amazing AfrikaBurn installation on their website. If art installation is registered, you will be included in the gate hand-out.
Registration for AfrikaBurn art installations close on 28 February 2013. Your application needs to include all information about your artwork and images should also be attached.
If you have an idea for an amazing AfrikaBurn art installation, then complete a registration form online and get ready to inspire an audience of your own.
