Glimmer’s Story:

 This project fundamentally addresses the greatest hopes and fears of every parent or would-be parent: to conceive, birth, and raise a healthy child without disaster striking along the way. Our treatment is intended to be emotionally powerful, as it will not end with those hopes realized.  

When a woman becomes pregnant, at some point during her term, she will fluctuate between hope that she will deliver a normal baby and fear that something will go horribly wrong.  This playa art installation/burn will portray hope turning to fear and then to tragedy.  

In June 2000 I lost my first baby at 12 weeks.  During the last 5 years, I have told my story to many women and men and found some comfort in the discussion but still feel that some symbolic activity is required to finally put my grief to rest.  My story is shared by many in our community and nationally, occurs in about 20% of first pregnancies. 

In the Greek and Roman times, upon losing a baby, a woman was told that she angered the gods and had to make restitution in order to conceive again.  Today, woman are told by doctors that they don’t really know why the baby miscarried and women in the USA are not given a ritual in order to acknowledge their grief, bring closure, and for those that want to, prepare to try again. The desire to return ritual to this loss is my motivating factor for sharing my burning art with the citizens of Black Rock City 2006. 

Just as the body cleanses itself of a miscarried baby making way for a new life, I plan on cleansing the playa by burning my art piece making way for new inspiration.

 

Michelle's Story

One of my truest and dearest friends was preparing to have a child of his own at last years burn. He came to the playa on Thursday because he did not want to spend much time away from his pregnant, beautiful lover. We stayed the rest of the magical week discussing baby names and music plans for his little ears when they arrived. My man Ben and I were married at the temple the night of the burn (AMAZING)... Monday, we packed up and headed out, following behind my beautiful friend. He called as soon as the cell phones worked and asked us to pull over. He got out of his car crying and I knew what he was going to say before he said it. All he said was "the baby went home". My new husband and my dearest friend and I stood on the side of the road crying speechless for what seemed like eternity. I felt the loss and pain in my own body. This idea of the pregnant woman is the most beautiful way to express that, I would love to do anything in my power to help her. Please let me know if she needs anything... and THANK YOU! Love, Michelle White