Background

This year it is important to me to deliver a project for Big Stick. Both to follow up on the success of Room Service, but also for integration with the land of Saratoga Springs. I, like many of us, have multiple community connections to Saratoga Springs, and have a deep connection with the land. As this may be the last year, or one of the last years that Big Stick will be at Saratoga Springs, then it personally more urgent for me to provide art as an integration. One specific integration involves the kitchen and Carin Mackay. Not only did Carin coin the term "ice fire" at another sacred event at Saratoga Springs, but we have held and tended sacred fires in the main fire pit, so "lighting" and tending a sacred ice fire in the same location is integration.

Goals

My primary goals for Big Stick are to:

Basic Proposal and variables

Turn existing fire circles in to "ice fire" campfire circles.

The minimum foundation would be to display ice at the small sunken firepit in the main stage area. This could be as simple as one large piece of ice (lit at night) as a centerpiece. This could be augmented by a perimeter of ice displays on the outside of the circle. Ultimately, nothing more would be necessary to create a compelling space, and expense would primarily be ice in blocks small enough to transport and stage in large coolers. 

A bolder vision, would be to also use the larger fire circle near the strip club as well. This larger circle would be suited for more "monumental scale" art. That is, this space could exhibit up to 300lbs blocks of ice, which can take 48 hours or more to melt, and obviously be more grand scale. At this scale logistics become more involved, and would likely require utilizing a trailer or truck to transport and store ice. In addition, it would be imperative to construct some shade structure to shield the ice from UV light during the day. (UV corrupts the clarity of the ice and fractures it.) Without a shade structure, ice would be mostly presented after sunset, and it would not make sense to use monumental scale blocks.

So, the core concept is relatively simple, but range from easily manageable to exciting challenge. 

The other variables include narrative integration, potential shade infrastructure and other supporting ambiance. 

For narrative integration, a penguin theme is simplest and most approriate. So, the ice fires could be tended by a crew of penguin "ice marshal deputies." At its simplest the penguin crew may perform a daily ritual of setting out fresh ice. Or the penguins could have a more ongoing schtick. Perhaps the ice fire circles and penguins also take over the general ice concession, that is, the sale of bags of ice for participants. At its most elaborate, narrative integration could include all forms of creature dependent on ice, from polar bears to krill to bacteria.

For other build out of the space, the first expansion would be to include shade, as mentioned above. Without shade, the ice display will be most effective to after sundown. However, with shade, the ice can become a better 24 hour activity. This would require finding competent design and build help. 

Another category of the space augmentation would be either squish or seating of some sort. This could be as simple as camp chairs or benches to putting down rugs and other cozy. However, since these areas are generally also designated smoking areas, it may make sense not to make them spaces with rugs or other fabric. 

Theme Integration

"Ice Marshal" deputies are penguins, polar bears, and other ice dependent organisms, including krill.

Support, collaborations, and other

I will be able to provide ice sourcing and logistics.
(... could include a quasi-staff role helping managing all ice sourcing and distribution. i.e., the ice concession.)

I could use help recruiting and managing penguins (aka,  "ice marshal deputies")
I would appreciate extra lighting support.
Build support for shade structure and/or seating

Hoping to collaborate with any projects that might relate to ice or ice-liking creatures