The actual piece will be 6' high and 8' wide. It will sit atop a 30' tower, providing high visibility. The tower's height should prevent the reflections from disturbing our neighbors too much, as it will be no more annoying than a second sun. While designed for stability, we are humble in the face of the playa's wind-gods.
The piece is designed to break down in a safe manner should the winds become too strong. Just as we don't want to blind anybody, we don't want our art to take any human sacrifices with it when it goes.
Homing Beacon is meant to be as practical as it is aesthetic. It will provide a way to locate the Church from almost anywhere in Black Rock. After a long full night of debauching on the playa, Church members can quickly get their bearings merely by pulling their faces off of the cracked earth and scanning the horizon. A familiar bright flashing pattern in the distance will guide them home.
Similarly, anybody who is spiritually lost need only approach the tower to find a path to deification of their own. As a public service, we hope to provide a navigational aid to the community. Traditionally The Man has been the only trustworthy landmark in Black Rock City, visible night or day. While we dare not challenge The Man's prominence on the playa, we would like to help our fellow citizens of Black Rock find their way around the city.
During the day, the Beacon will reflect the sun's brilliance, just as the Church's camp reflects the brilliance of the Mez within us all. At night, we will light the beacon, providing an external fire of inspiration, drawing lost souls to our camp like moths. But when they arrive, they will not be destroyed in flame, but engulfed in decadence, awareness and trancendence.
Here is a picture of a prototype mockup of the structure:
It will be mouted on top of a tower similar to this:
Finally, here is the creator (Leo) with his prototype structure:
