In keeping with the philosophy of Burning Man's desire to offer a venue for artists to explore and express their imagination, the Neverwas Project has created an imaginary world based on the science fiction of the Victorian era where steam technology is considered cutting edge. Our desire is to portray this Jules Verne style world and invite others to participate with us, so that we can all experience a time when brave explorers ventured out into the unknown in search of adventure.

By sharing our steam technology with the Burning Man community, participants learn about a forgotten technology that was so important in our past, perhaps to learn something that can be utilized today. Hydrogen fuel cells and biofuels were invented during the Victorian period and many early vehicles were run on what's now considered alternative fuel systems (i.e., electric, steam and alcohol powered engines). We plan to use some of this technology in creating our solar distiller, steam generator and bio-peat mill and will utilize the waste from our camp (gray water, paper products, coffee grounds) so that we can recycle these items. We plan to offer lectures and demonstrations on our Grand Steam Expedition Stage to explain to the community how they, too, can easily recycle their disposable waste, both on the Playa and when they return home.

Our interaction with the Black Rock community in 2006 and the effect we had inspired many of the participants to join us in this fantasy world. We are looking forward to continuing this portrayal and involving more participants in our performance pieces as we take the Haul around the Playa. In that way, we can also serve as examples of a “green” project, not just in our philosophy but also in the way we run our camp.

LEAVE NO TRACE PLANS

All components of the Neverwas/Grand Steam Expedition are part of an on-going performance art piece and will be needed elsewhere following Burning Man. All elements will have their own trailer and transport, planning to leave BRC on 9/4/07 , so that there will be no detritus left over. We plan to recycle, burn, or dispose of all waste as part of our performance this year. Any garbage will be packed out by the participants in our company.

FIRE EFFECTS FOR NEVERWAS HAUL

We plan to have approximately 10-15 kerosene lamps illuminating the Haul or in the Steam Camp. The stage will be lit with 8-10 mantle lamps (propane fuel). Our steam engines are either run on propane or bio-peat fuel in appropriately contained fire boxes. Appropriately rated fire extinguishers will be placed next to all fire-related effects.

No artwork will be engulfed in flames and no fire will come in contact with the Playa.

NEVERWAS IMAGES

photo:dharmabum90

A few stalwart photographers have captured images of the Haul and have placed them upon fLICKR for the enjoyment of the many.

Submitted by: Shannon O'Hare, 21 Spring Road, Orinda , CA 94563 510-292-5879

Shannon_O_Hare@yahoo.com

PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION:

Neverwas Haul, a self-propelled 3-story Victorian House, made from 75% recycled equipment and materials, returns with new interiors, operating system, and collections from its travels around the world (i.e., oddities of the Jules Verne era including a Camera Obscura, described below). The Haul measures 24 feet long by 24 feet high and 12 feet wide and is built on the base of a 5 th wheel travel trailer.

In addition to the Haul, we will be creating the following “green” systems to be used in our Steam Camp under the title of Grand Steam Expedition:

Steam/solar distiller system:

This will convert gray water from our camp into water to be re-used in the boilers of the steam engines. This will be built in the style of a Victorian machine utilizing technology from over 150 years ago. We will be able to reuse waste water rather than having it trucked out for disposal. The solar distiller will be made out of galvanized sheet metal, glass and plumbing fixtures. It measures approximately 8 feet long by 4 feet wide and will be installed in our camp as part of the Grand Steam Expedition (sketch included). Demonstrations of its use will be scheduled for participants to attend.

Steam-powered systems:

Not only are we bringing back our alternative fuel (propane) vehicle, the runabout art car from last year, Kristie's Flyer, but we'll also be building a steam generator that will power our Steam Café. The steam generator will be built very much like our other creations, from available, salvaged antique ironwork and clever use of common plumbing fixtures (sketch included). This will also be another exhibit in the Grand Steam Expedition.

Bio-Peat Mill:

We will be converting coffee grounds, sawdust, paper, charcoal (wood from the burn piles around the Playa and other burnable MOOP) and Playa dust into burnable fuel pellets and briquettes to be used in our steam generator and other demonstratable engines. It will be a custom built machine in the style of Victorian machinery, approximately 3 feet by 3 feet. Once again, antique ironwork and clever plumbing will be used. There will be hands-on demonstration of the manufacture of the pellets/briquettes for the participants to learn and make for themselves. Since there will be a high need for coffee grounds to be used to make the bio-peat, we will be enlisting the support of all the other caffeine addicts in the area and using their coffee grounds, thereby eliminating the need for disposal.

Grand Steam Expedition Stage:

All above green items will be demonstrated on our stage complex, built in the design of a classic Victorian stage show with limelights, hand-painted backdrops, and stage props. On the stage, we will also be offering magic lantern demonstrations, giving the latest news from the “front”, both in literal and figurative means. The Hibernian Glee Club will also be performing drinking songs from Ireland as well as songs specific to the Burning Man community (Mr. Sans Pants, to the tune of Mr. Sand Man). Another highlight of the stage will be our roving group of performers from Phat Mandee, our Cabaret singer, to Dr. Hal and the Hobo Goblins as well as lectures by our “Professors” on their studies of the natives of the Black Rock region and their own personal adventures. The stage will be made from recycled wood and canvas, and measures 12 feet by 8 feet by 2 feet off the ground. The backdrop will be made from canvas and measures approximately 10 feet high by 12 feet wide.

Camera Obscura:

A cooperative effort of a number of artists, photographers and lens makers, the Camera Obscura will be installed in the turret of the Haul. With the support of a trained technician, the public will see many views of the Playa as the Haul moves around it. A camera obscura is a series of lenses creating an image that is projected onto a concave screen table (sketch included). The size of the unit is approximately 12 feet tall by 3 feet wide and will be made from hand-made glass lenses, recycled brass fittings and antique ironwork.

Academy Performers:

There will be 20 performers and 15 crew in Victorian-style costumes as part of our overall performance piece for the Neverwas Project. They will interact with the participants, demonstrating above pieces, giving talks and exposes on Victorian technology and science, period musical productions, all in keeping with our theme of a Jules Verne style expedition to Black Rock City . Last year, we developed a Victorian theme camp, which allowed participants to join us and play characters themselves. This will be a continuation of our efforts to keep the theme evolving and moving in new directions as the Neverwas Project story unfolds for it's Second Year.

SKETCHES AND DRAWINGS:

Camera Obscura, Steam Generator, Bio-Peat Generator, Grand Steam Expedition Stage

CAMERA OBSCURA

STEAM GENERATOR

BIO-PEAT GENERATOR

GRAND STEAM EXPEDITION STAGE

1. Creation/construction – Phase I 2/18 - 5/16/07

Rebuild Haul, design and build interiors.

Rebuild engine and chassis. Build steam generator (engine only)

Fabricate steam/solar distiller

Fabricate bio-peat mill

Participate in Maker's Faire, San Mateo

(5/16 – 5/20/07)

2. Creation/construction – Phase II 5/16 – 6/9/07

Build Grand Steam Expedition Stage

Finish interiors and exhibits for display

Fund-raiser for Neverwas Haul – the Hibernian Ambassador Ball

( June 9, 2007 )

3. Creation/construction – Phase III 6/9 – 8/25/07

Finish steam generator

Finishing touches on the Haul

Preparation for transporting Haul and other exhibits

Early arrivals depart on 8/24 (10 people)

4. Playa Setup 8/25 – 8/27/07

Assemble Haul (1 day)

Assemble stage and camp (1 day)

Assemble exhibits (2 days)

5. Playa Activity 8/27 – 9/3/07

Haul, Kristie's Flyer, Grand Steam Expedition Stage, and Green projects

6. Clean Up 9/3 – 9/4/07

Disassemble Haul, stage, camp and exhibits; clean up area (2 days)

SUPPORT TEAM

Our main crew numbers 15 and includes machinists, wood workers, welders, and scenic artists. We also have a performing team of approximately 20 participants who will develop and manage the Grand Steam Expedition Stage as well as participate in assembly and dismantling of the Haul and Steam Camp. Many of our crew are veterans of Burning Man and most were involved with Neverwas Haul in 2006, and are well-versed in the needs of the Playa and the protection of the environment.

CREW MEMBERS

Shannon O'Hare, Project Lead, Master Carpenter, Performer

Kimric Smythe, Head Technician and Fabricator, Solar Design Expert

Liam McNamara, Technical Advisor, Lead Machinist

Matt Snyder, Lead Welder and Fabricator

Peter Luca, Chief Engineer, Motorman

Liz Simpson, Head Scenic Designer, Lead Photographer

Kathy Tucker, Project Administrator, Head of the Hibernian Glee Club

Meredith Scheff, Fabricator, Cartoonist, Performer

Joe Phillips, Welder, Fabricator, Performer

Phat Mandee, Cabaret singer, Host of the Grand Stage

Richard Lockie, Performer

Robin Fox, Fabricator, Lens Grinder

Kevin O'Hare, Lead on Camera Obscura

Larry Abrahamsen, Artist, Performer

Hallie McConlogue, Fabricator, Performer

The rest of our performers at this time are:

Don Bruce, Tracy Feldstein, Nifer Fahrion, SF Slim, Joshua Marker, Will Bartlett, David Apocalypse, Richard Jukes, John Walmsey, Bill Smythe, and 10 others who have not finalized their plans to fill out our troupe of 20 performers

NEVERWAS HAUL PHOTO FROM BURNING MAN 2006

NEVERWAS HAUL at the CARSON CITY Admissions Day Parade,

October, 2006

Winner – Parade Chairman Award