I worked under Neil Mendoza and Winslow Porter for a 2024 Burning Man Honoraria Art Piece called The Bad Hatter.
The Bad Hatter is a sentient mischievous character that lights up at night, is responsive to the music, and shocks you when you interact with it.
My role on the project was as a builder. I reached out early in the summer and helped with some of the setup in Albuquerque, and then once we arrived at Burning Man, we spent 5 days in weathered conditions constructing. This is the most complex project I have ever been a part of - combining light, electricity, sound, and design. Each member of the team had their strengths across the different elements of the piece. As a younger immersive artist it was inspirational to learn from everyone and see how a piece with so many moving parts comes together.
The steps for assembling the Bad Hatter start with the construction of an octagonal base, adding vertical beams, assembling drum shelves, and attaching the iconic top hat structure which you see above. Each step includes detailed hardware requirements, diagrams, and pro tips for efficiency and accuracy.
Key elements of the Bad Hatter include the use of biomimicry-inspired structures, a ventilation system with intake and exhaust fans, interactive LED lighting, and modular components for easy assembly and transport. Each section highlights the interplay of aesthetics and functionality.
I absolutely loved being involved in this project - and hope to do many more similar projects in my future!
Special shoutout to new friends and incredible artists, engineers, scientists:
Neil, Chelsie, Carine, Nadya, Berkay, Winslow, Julia, Ryan, and others
Neil, Chelsie, Carine, Nadya, Berkay, Winslow, Julia, Ryan, and others
