10 Burning Man Principal

10 Burning Man Principal Pedant by Joel (Sargent Pepper) Briggs.

Sargent Pepper writes,
“My 10 Burning Man Principal Pendant inspired me to capture everything I know about becoming a Burner.  This is achieved by starting from within and understanding who we are before we venture out to understand Burning Man.

Our city is unique as it’s built not by the people but with talents and souls of the individual to a group and then to a community.  This cycle of building a community involves a process similar to the Alpha and Omega; the beginning and the end.   But how to capture this?

Alpha, the beginning. Life is an endless CIRCLE of experiences based on love, mistakes, and sharing.  This circle is the core of the individual.  With this circle, it forms our soul. Our soul is a complex process composing of our Minds, Emotions, Desires, and Will. This is represented by the four rectangles over the circle. With these four, it completes our spirit.  A spirit that builds outward from the circle to connect with others. Basically, the confidence to do better.  When this happens, we come together as an indefinite loop to further LIVE better, LOVE one another, and celebrate by a DANCE.  Once this is achieved, the Burning Man is formed. Or, in other words, you have started your journey to become a burner!

When our circle or soul becomes more prominent, we start to embrace what Burning Man is about. We then look further and begin to master the Burning Man 10 Principles.  Each principle requires a maturity process of sorts. This sort is now the basis of the city.  Each principle will affect us differently. Some will master one or two and others three or four.  Rarely does anyone go beyond five!  This does not mean we ignore the rest, for this has never been the case. Of all the burners I have met, they do follow the 10 principles. Those who master principles each bring something different to themselves, their friends, their camps, and eventually to the city.  When this is achieved, a city is built like no other on this earth, and the 10 principles engulf everyone around.  The pendant shape, the Omega. 

But the journey does not end there. Placing the pendant in the palm of your hand and looking at the void around the pendant is where a true burner will see a vision; The act of gifting is based on love and respect. With love and respect comes a community of one. And with a community of one, the world can change!  To the dusty roads, to the unknowns, let the adventure of one begin. 

Sgt Pepper“

Joel (Sargent Pepper) Briggs is one of the Playas most prolific and artistic makers. Each year he produces a variety of pendants based on personal Burning Man experiences. Joel’s language of  Sign, Symbol and Metaphors creates a deep visual story. His use of materials and production methods pushes his Story Telling past the boundaries with the addition of 3D texture and a sculptural feel. Joel also uses precious metals of Gold and Silver to add a status of importance . The Gold and Silver comes from his own mining claim. He blasts out the ore which is then crushed and refined to pure Gold and Silver! He unique pieces are highly treasured by collectors. A pendant of Joel’s appears in Karen (Suki) Christians and Christine (Lady Bee) Kristen book, Jewelry of Burning Man. p75.