The Dreamer

The temporary reinstallation of The Dreamer in its Golden Gate Park setting is part of a pilot project; an experiment, designed in part, to explore the issues and challenges associated with placing artwork created for the Burning Man festival in new contexts. The installation was initiated and sponsored by the Black Rock Arts Foundation, with the support of a grant from the James Irvine Foundation.

Suffering no damage during its installation at Burning Man in 2005, where almost 40, 000 individuals reside for a week, the piece incurred structural and cosmetic damage while on view in Golden Gate Park on May 20, 2007.  Repairs have been made by the artist Pepe Ozan and his assistant, Los Angeles artist and performer Elonifer Skyhawk.

The Dreamer was commissioned by Burning Man in 2005 as part of its theme Psyche. To learn more about how the piece was conceived and created, click here for Pepe Ozan's Artist's Statement.

During the 2007 Bay to Breakers, an annual race held every May in San Francisco, enthusiastic revelers climbed on top of the artwork. The work was not designed to accommodate this kind of use, and the action caused hundreds of dollars worth of damage, and required immediate repair. BRAF allocated some of its limited, unrestricted funds to support  these repairs and the artist has agreed to continue to keep the piece on display.  We will monitor audience reaction at its new, temporary location, throughout the summer. Other cities and locales have sought the support and advice of BRAF for placing temporary art, created by artists who are members of the Burning man community, in their communities. BRAF intends to produce an informational  'tool-kit' of recommendations so that other communities can replicate these efforts. The experience encountered  displaying The Dreamer in Golden Gate Park helps inform that effort.

Photos: Elonifer Skyhawk and Pepe Ozan, 2007