Ein Hammer Demonstration for Burning Man 2010

Click here to see it at Burning Man: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7e4hLxNazR8
Details at www.mutantvehicle.com/ein_hammer.htm. Beneath a giant sledge hammer, moving industrial images of steaming pipes and frantic workers on catwalks are visible through skylights on the ground, suggesting the stalled, enormous power turbines underneath the city need a "bump start". Infinity mirror tunnels, whirling roof vents and a submerging conveyor belt loaded with hand tools for the "workers below" further the illusion, as does the German-accented pleas from the Barker for participants to engage with the fascinating sculpture and help save the city.

The giant silver hammer centerpiece (mostly hollow and supported by guy wires) appears to defy gravity as it reflects its own light and that of Black Rock City. Tall and dominant, captivating and compelling, one wonders if the artist is compensating for something...

Participants are guided by the Safety/Host from the archway to the three regular-sized lightweight sledgehammers which are the tools for interaction, chained to the ground by their respective targets near the handle base of the giant hammer. The comedic Barker leads the crowd in shouting the hammer-swinging count-down in German: "Ein!... Zwei!... Drei!". When a participant hoists and slams a sledgehammer down on their target, a deep, audible boom shakes the ground, feet, ankles, etc. The more simultaneously the three hammers are struck, the higher the brilliant strobe lights and 10 dazzling tongues of flame travel up the shank of the giant hammer itself, emitting loud concussion sounds along the way. A stall at the top of the flames trajectory, like that of a traveling metal weight, makes the interface that much more reminiscent of the "High Striker" carnival attraction. If the three participants get the flames all the way to the top, the hammer head spins with huge liquid fire, unfolds, and reflects shafts of light downward on the crowd like an infernal disco ball. as the underground turbines audibly groan up to speed for 90 seconds. Strength and accuracy matter not-- it's all in the timing.

Special thanks to Maciej, Nila, Killbuck, Dave Cherry, Lightnin', Dave King and Snowlover for their creative contributions on this video and the coming art installation.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• ein
• hammer
• ein hammer
• burning
• man
• burning man
• mister
• jellyfish
• mr.
• mister jellyfish
• art
• interactive
• 2010
• desert
• party
• music
• german
• festival
• fire
• zsu zsu
• fluffer

[TracyInsomiac]

Allright, you freaky freaky peoples!!! This was by far my favorite thing! I even managed to love it better than that pretty 'ol Bliss dancer. You guys touched on a tradition of comedy performance/interactive/kineti­c brilliance and brought it to a level heretofore unseen. I would lick the shoes of every stinking one of you.

Plus you looked like the happiest peoples in das Vorld!

Love and respect from your friendly neighborhood kinetic nose-pickers....

LOVE YOU!!!!

[misterjellyfish]

Thanks, @TracyInsomiac ! Your "Disgusting Spectacle" was one of my favorite concepts and we certainly share and embrace of the absurd. I'll be uploading a video compilation "Best of Ein Hammer" within a couple of weeks. As for next year, run a Youtube search for "Georgie Boy: Fallen Queen of Broadway". Be well and do strange things.

[kyerthenomad]

Very nice! Have you seen this beautiful new photo book about Burning Man and other west coast festivals? It's called Tribal Revival: West Coast Festival Culture.

[daiki0080]

Are you ready?! EIN! ZWEI!! DREI!!

[Tazameir]

This was an awesome project guys! Thanks for doing it and hauling it all out there. Good chatting with you about the tech on it too!

[RICKSTAR42026]

jellyfish wasnt doing it burn night and he was way funnier

[shellymost]

Me and my friends stumbled upon this on burn night and it was fantastic. Thank you for bringing back the true spirit of the playa!!!

(Polka playing in the background) "This is the shit we Germans had to listen to before we invented Kraftwerk!"

Ein Hammer was very inspiring and very hilarious!!!!!

[stephanygator]

Hands down the most mind-blowing surprise in the playa.... I didn't know what I was walking into... and then a team won. I was speechless. For minutes. Thank you SO much!!

[akacahlm]

thanks Jellyfish & team for this. i was at the hammer at least 3 times every night.

[zissoulander]

EIN...ZWEI...DREI! *WHAM*

We won on the final attempt! Go team!

This, and the dancing girl statue were definitely the best of the 2010 playa.