Projects

V O X N I H I L I x Burning Man 2018

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

We are fantastically proud to introduce VOX NIHILI, a sculptural installation for Burning Man 2018. Designed and fabricated by University of Edinburgh students, working out of the UC Santa Barbrara Art dept. Tommaso an engineer, and Isotta an artist, designed and fabricated a fully sustainable and innovative sculptural piece for the iconic Burning Man event in the Black Rock desert of Nevada.

Constructed from recycled and reinforced cardboard VOX NIHILI reflects, the 2018 Burning Man theme 'I, Robot' by reimagining industrial motifs as stripped down forms in the desert. Through the use of repurposed carpet tubes and cardboard ‘T’ and ‘I’ beams an allusion is made to the aesthetic of 19th-century industrial machinery along with an homage to the steam punk- retro futuristic aesthetic, core to the creative chronology of Burning Man art and design. Central to the installation’s design was retaining the the integrity of the cardboard with this we are commenting on the ability of an ordinary and overlooked material to transform a landscape. The structure was developed not only as a sculptural work but as a meeting place, with four seats built into its corners. VOX NIHILI thus provides am intimate place for social interaction and friendly encounters with other individuals exploring the outer corners of the playa.

VOX NIHILI translates directly from latin as ‘voice of nothing’ but is often interpreted as something useless or meaningless. These words form the title of the project and were chosen to subvert the notion that art is not a meaningful or useful part of contemporary life. The design of the installation had intimate community encounters in mind where we as newcomers to Burning Man could connect and contribute to conversations and connections.

PROJECT DETAILS