Field Testing

 A strong thunderstorm answers the question of whether or not this new design will more likely than not be able to withstand a week or so of playa weather.

OATN 1.5 - Experimental prototype

 This fellow is from the 2017 fairy shrimp family. He is the test subject for rigging and structural experimentation (and hopefully improvement) before construction of the new versions commences.

Progress is summarized here, and more than anyone really needs (except for me with my fading memory) is dumped here.

Construction begins

Construction has begun on the new "school" of fairy shrimp.

A loose documentation of the progress may be found by clicking 

here.

A Hearty Thanks to the Black Rock City Honoraria Committee!

 We are sighing and smiling with appreciation for the Honorarium that allows us to bring our floating versions of playa fairy shrimp back to the City!

Man, this is all too wonderful!

Of a Temporary Nature 2.0

 Resurrected, recreated and revised for Burning Man 2023.

It will be very similar to the "Of a Temporary Nature" installation at Black Rock City in 2017, but will exhibit a diversity of colors and be more substantially constructed. 

Of a Temporary Nature - Black Rock City - 2017

The image links to the video

Photos are provided here.

Done.

Finally...

There will be 26 of these guys flying on the playa. 

In a steady breeze they will fill and float, 

and dance at night in glowing colors.

(click the image to see it in motion - go here for more images)

Fecundity...well, somewhat...

Although the original intent was to construct a frame that would present a full figure sans wind, the forms resisted that relative complexity, eventually shedding excess skeletal rods in favor of a looser sac.

Now the pile awaits, wondering if there will be time to add some whistles and bells (actually, eggsacs and phyllopod lobes) after the hanging armatures are complete.

Evolutionarily...

Every one of these guys has some mutation that was intended to benefit its function, but I'm still working toward some kind of productive punctuated equilibrium.

Traits appear and disappear and may reappear in a different spot but the beneficial ones will hopefully prevail.

Real fairy shrimp in motion