Playa Makers

Layered Sunset (Rock) Pendant 2024

Layered Sunset (Rock) Pendant, 2024 by Joel (Sargent Pepper) Briggs.

Sargent Pepper writes,
“The Black Rock Playa, once Lake Lahontan some 15,000 years ago, is now a dry lake bed of alkaline flats. Its history spans Native Americans, settlers, miners, adventurous, wanderers, and the Burner. Its history is rich with lore and legends, be it land speed records, rockets to the edge of space, and its ability to host the event we all have come to love and enjoy, Burning Man.

One early morning, I was with a few friends in Deep Playa. We were worn out dirty, but content and with our own thoughts. As we walked back to camp, before us, the temple and the man and an object that shined in the morning sun rays. I detoured from my path and found one of the numerous black rocks that dot the playa. But this one spoke to me as to say, thank you! I carefully looked at the black stone with its contours and semi-luster shine. At that moment, I wanted to share this rock with friends and strangers… if offered calmness and clarity!
October, I found the stone in my bag and studied its features, contours and what it told. I thought to myself, do I make a rock pendant out of it? Or something else? It was a few weeks later, when I looked at pictures of the Burn that I found my answer.
The morning I found the rock it was a moment of friendship, sharing, and of memories. The rock was not just for me but for all who were with me that morning, including everyone in the city we call Black Rock City.
I week later, I found myself sitting in front of my computer, and on the keyboard pad was the rock. I picked it up and studied its contours and everything else about this rock again. I decided then I would make a pendant out of it… but how to share this rock?
I took the rock to work and asked a favor with a friend to 3D scan the rock so I could capture its contours with its different faces and lines. This would be the foundation of the pendant. Recalling the morning I found the rock, I remember the sunrise and how it shines and casts shadows that dance on the playa. How the mountains before us light up to say, Another Day on the Playa! I knew then I had a pendant!
The basis of the pendant is round to represent a power so sacred that it holds the wisdom of all that has ever been created. This was true of the rock, the mountains, and the sun. The playa background represents the rock and its contours. I took the 3D scan and incorporated it into the playa background to represent the rock. The dark finish is composed of the rock and its luster. I had the rock crushed to a fine powder and added that to the plating solution. Here, the rock powder fused itself to the pendant so you can wear its legacy. The man stands out boldly to represent our BURNING MAN; this is our time in history. Its copper color signifies positive energy – feelings of positivity for calmness and clarity. And that was ever so true the morning I found the rock. The pendant is made of two pieces fused into one. This represents a bond of us to become one as a family. And how the rock becomes one with the pendant. The back of the pendant is the complete sun and the man together, capturing the mountains. This represents how legends are made; we came and built a city with love and care together. Nothing can change this…
The message on the back was voted on by you all. It was submitted by Zara Messenger!
Enjoy,
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 is published in Karen (Suki) Christians, Christine (Lady Bee) Kristen book, Jewelry of Burning Man. p75.


Maker: Joel Briggs Playa Name: Sargent Pepper Burning Man 2024 Private Collection of Joel (Sargent Pepper) Briggs Media: Gold, Metal, Casted
SKU: 17544 Category: Tags: , , , ,

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