(I realize that not everyone reading this is a beer enthusiast, and may not share in this same passion, but at the same time, I know I'm far from alone here.)
I knew I wanted to provide beer as a gift again, so this seemed like a natural fit for executing this idea. And then I thought: why not provide participants with a choice of Beer or Baby? Just as in life, we have a choice to take one path or another. And what would people choose, I wonder?...This would be fascinating to see!
Of course, the most common counterargument I encounter is: "Can't I have both?!" Well, technically...yes. But if a literal interpretation of this silly phrase is as far as you can see, then you are surely missing the point.
(I will get to my personal meaning behind Beer or Baby in future blog posts, but first I want to continue explaining how this art project evolved...)
So from gifting beer, to providing a choice of Beer or Baby? I wondered how I could further develop this idea. I knew I wanted to give more of myself than I had the first time around. I also knew I wanted to give something more tangible and enduring, if possible. Beer is tasty and refreshing, but once it's consumed it's gone.
And then it hit me...
I was having a joyous time at a music festival a few months ago and noticed my hand was a bit cold from the frosty brew I was enjoying. I wondered to myself: in all my vast experience of drinking, why had I never thought to purchase a $2 koozie? And in that moment the inspiration struck again: Beer or Baby? KOOZIES!!! What a grand idea!
Not only would this help keep people's hands a bit warmer during cold nights and the beers cooler during hot days, but it also would support one of the Key Burning Man Principles of Decomodification, by concealing the company logos on the beer cans!!! The icing on the cake is that it also allows me to gift a more tangible object as I desired. This will be something that people can take with them when they leave, so they can have their own philosophical conversations in the default world about what Beer or Baby? means to them.
From there, I made a simple design on Kustom Koozies and ordered 120 of these suckers so I can give them out with the cold brewskies.
What about the "Baby," you ask? I started collecting random baby dolls from thrift stores, and ordered some small baby figurines. I also plan to have a bike trailer with a cooler in it that contains both beer and babies.
Lastly I wanted to create a sign to represent and and attract attention to the project.If all goes well I would love to photograph people with their choice of Beer or Baby? along with the sign, so I could later feature it on this blog.
To make the sign: I bought this little star-shaped cork board for 99 cents, got some gold spray paint and lettering from Home Depot, picked up some sticker gems from Michaels, tied some green ribbon around a metal loop in the back and voilà: Beer or Baby? sign!!! Boom!
(If you know me, you are probably well aware that I am devoid of any real artistic skill. So this sign was quite an exciting accomplishment for me. Haha!)
If all goes as planned I will make my trek into Black Rock City with this project. In my adventures I will approach random strangers while sporting my Beer or Baby? sign and present them with the most existential question of their life: "Beer or Baby?" Depending on their response they will either receive a beer in a koozie, or a baby doll/figurine. If the participant consents, I will also to take a photo of the them with the sign around their neck, and their "choice" in hand.
During this experiment I imagine I will receive a lot of questions, reactions, and differing interpretations... but that's half the fun!!!
So what do you chose: Beer or Baby? If you're still wondering what the hell this means, I would encourage you to ponder and philosophize for a moment. What do YOU think it means? And if you are still curious, appalled and/or interested: stay tuned for my next post! Cheers!!!
