The Basics about the Project
The Tower of Ascention (TOA) base is composed of three identical 'legs'. The base of each leg is an elongated diamond 2.5' wide by 6’ long and 25' tall. Each leg is constructed of heavy gauge steel tubing. Each is surrounded by a grid work of rebar which forms a ladder for climbing to the platform above. Half way up each leg is a small platform allowing climbers to rest and pass each other.
The legs are topped by an observation platform. Three 8' square decks join in a triangle to form this platform. The decks are framed with steel tubing, sheeted with recycled plywood and covered by a feather coat of cement to give them a stone like appearance. Decking between the squares is composed of expanded steel grating.
Essential to the ascetic of the platform is the 'flower of life' symbol, which appears on the top of the deck. This symbol dictates many of the platform's shapes including the expanded metal grating mentioned above. It also creates the curvature of the benches found along the outer edge of each deck. Locked inside these benches are the batteries and hardware to run the lights as well as propane tanks to fuel the flame effects. A 6' obelisk with a torch at its apex rises from the corners of each bench.
The heart of the TOA is a six foot sphere that appears to float two feet above the platform. In reality the two dragons scaling the sphere support it. About 300 6" circles of 1/2" rebar are welded together to compose the sphere. Tube steel composes the skeletons of the dragons, treated leather bonded to a fiberglass mesh composes the exoskeletons. Piping runs inside the dragons to carry propane to the their mouths as well as wires to light their eyes.
Interactivity with the Project
The Tower was designed to be climbed, the three ‘legs’ are hollow and have easily climbable sides. Each has a platform half way up to provide a resting point, a place to take in the view and reflect. During climbers’ ascents they may be enveloped by dancing red, orange and yellow lights of the lower three chakras. Upon reaching the observation platform they are struck by the shear size and beauty of the dragons and their perch, as well as the simple grace and solidity of the platform. If they are familiar with sacred geometry they may see how it’s been subtly woven throughout the design.
The TOA is essentially a column of energy waiting to be activated. It requires people for its activation. The greater number of people that activate it the higher the energy ascends. When enough people participate the energy will be so immense that it will shoot forth from the top of the column in a great burst of flame.
To activate it there are three faces appearing on the surface of the platform. Each possess a three dimensional handprint inside a third eye. Placing one hand within any of the handprints releases the energy in the tower by activating the chakra’s lights, shining colored spotlights on three disco balls and illuminating a sea of fiber optics. The effect will be red, orange and yellow points of light floating within and around the tower. Placing two hands within any handprints also releases the energy of the observation platform and of the sphere held by the two dragons. The effect will be illuminated the platform in green and sphere in blue. Placing three hands within all of the handprints also release the energy of the dragons. The effect will be the dragons will spit fire.
Performance art also achieves transformation. We’ve made arrangements with Andrea Brook to add the Sonic Butterfly, a long stringed harp, to our installation. Andrea and her ex, William Close, strung the Earth Harp to the Temple in 2011. Andrea is a lovely person and has been away from BM for a while and felt that sharing her new harp would be a great way to bring transformation to the Playa as well as herself.
Finally the Tower will host several shows of the Aztec dancers of Ollin Ixtli. “Aztec dance is a way to preserve ancient culture. It is said that [it] represents the eternal search of men and women for cosmic harmony and integration of body and spirit,” says founder Aida Landeros. This fits perfectly with the purpose of the Tower.
In conclusion, the Tower of Ascension will feed the soul through all five senses adding greatly to participants’ experiences of this year’s Burning Man.