Structural Art
The Birdcage
Art with a Purpose
Immersive
Inspired by his fond memories of a youth in Libya, and an affinity for Arabic and Moorish stylings, John has long dreamed of creating the Baksheesh Birdcage as an immersive environment dedicated to hospitality, communal collaboration, and luxurious aesthetic indulgence at Burning man. Its origins are in the concept of “The Holy Portion”, akin to the giving of alms, one of the Five Pillars of Islam. In spirit, it is similar to the concepts of the tithe, the lagniappe, grace, the freebie, the Gift, Slack, and acts of random kindness and senseless beauty.
Designed to be an oasis of comfort, music, performance, and self-expression, the Birdcage is a colossal homage to the Tunisian birdcages of Sidi bou Said, while subtly altered in design to meet the functional needs of humans in a celebratory environment.
PUBLIC ART
Gathering Place
Architecture and the built environment affect all significant aspects of the creative life….from adequate and functional space in one’s personal life, to public spaces that foster creative expression, they determine the degree to which one’s craft and creativity can be brought to effective fruition. In the public realm, the extent to which civic spaces foster intimate public interaction & performance, formal or impromptu, determines the viability and vitality of civic life and the value placed on the creative individual, the integral unit of a sound, creative, and humane society. The Birdcage is a tentative step toward such a civic space.
Gather at the Baksheesh Birdcage
This structure will bloom into a community space of comfort and tranquility
A DREAM COMES TO LIFE
3D Renderings
Through his creative community John has built a team of creatives skilled in 3D renderings, design, and fabrication. He can bring whatever project you have in mind into reality.
TRANQUILITY FOR ALL
Chill Space
The Birdcage is the assemblage of several elements designed for performance and its appreciation in a physical environment that is an exalting experience of its own. The 12’ tall base structure is made of heavy gauge beams offset by delicate moorish ‘zellij’ inspired panels. It is a 20’ diameter hexagonal “room” with lounging ‘benches’ hung with lanterns. These benches are, in fact, bass-shaker-activated “tranquiloungers” which vibrate to the bass rhythms of any music being played. The floor between benches serves as a cushioned “pillowasis”.
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Project Details
Artist’s Statement: Inspired by his fond memories of a youth in Libya, and an affinity for Arabic and Moorish stylings, juan (John Walker) has long dreamed of creating the Baksheesh Birdcage as an immersive environment dedicated to hospitality, communal collaboration, and luxurious aesthetic indulgence. He sees it as a physical embodiment of “baksheesh”, a spiritual concept which traditionally throughout the near east did not signify a tip or bribe, as is the vernacular usage today. Its origins are in the concept of “The Holy Portion”, akin to the giving of alms, one of the Five Pillars of Islam. Its etymological root is the Sanskrit bhag- (holy) which is carried on in use in various forms: bhagwan (holy person), Pagoda (holy building), Baghdad (holy city), and baksheesh (loosely, holy stuff) In spirit, it is similar to the concepts of the tithe, the lagniappe, grace, the freebie, the Gift, Slack, and acts of random kindness and senseless beauty, not to mention the “holy fucking shit” of Hippie Steve’s Hippie Love Cult, or Camp ISH’s concept of “comfort” (both early formative influences).
Designed to be an oasis of comfort, music, performance, and self-expression, the Birdcage is a colossal homage to the Tunisian birdcages of Sidi bou Said, while subtly altered in design to meet the functional needs of humans in a celebratory environment.
Being a builder in the default world with an interest in community design, John is known to wax poetic about the built environment. Here is a taste: “Architecture and the built environment affect all significant aspects of the creative life….from adequate and functional space in one’s personal life, to public spaces that foster creative expression, they determine the degree to which one’s craft and creativity can be brought to effective fruition. In the public realm, the extent to which civic spaces foster intimate public interaction & performance, formal or impromptu, determines the viability and vitality of civic life and the value placed on the creative individual, the integral unit of a sound, creative, and humane society.” The Birdcage is a tentative step toward such a civic space.
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