This mutant vehicle started its journey as a Jeep Cherokee, but now gets to live its best life as a two story explosion of pearlescent wonderment and rainbow disco madness.
Having first stripped the bodywork of the Jeep down to its the engine compartment and the front seats, a heavily over engineered steel superstructure provides a second floor as well as the many necessary hard points to which are attached an exterior artistic skin assembly. The skin comprises two layers of multiple triangular polycarbonate panels supported by a welded steel jig, arranged into a continuous geodesic surface that wraps around the whole vehicle, and treated with a dichroic mirrored film, such that the MV continuously shifts and changes colors as it moves relative to a viewers perspective. Colored reflections are thrown in all directions as light bounces off the many surfaces, whether the light of the sun by day or the lights of other burners and our onboard system by night.
But wait there's more! Up front on the top deck is a large disco ball hanging within a circular structure , a frame composed of a color changing infinity mirror. Above the top deck is an aluminet shade roof, such that any guests on board don't get torched by the hot desert sun. All of our power, lighting, sound, electronic and safety systems are housed in specialized compartments ahead of the engine, hidden behind the geodesic surface on running boards to either side of the driver/spotter on the lower level, and between the exterior of the standing area of the upper deck and the inside of the outer art surface.
Heavily modified suspension keeps the vehicle from rocking in spite of its upper deck visitors, and because our camp has some older and mobility impaired members, accessible entry to the vehicle is via a generous platform on the rear. Downstairs seating accommodates maximum 7 people plus the driver and spotter in a softly lit furry womb of friendship, while a steel, code compliant staircase with welded handrails allows up to 10 people to climb to the top deck. The exterior geodesic surface has been designed as two pieces , upper and lower, to allow for a 360 degree unobstructed field of view for the driver and spotter, so that they can see all around the vehicle at all times.
As of this writing, base vehicle teardown, mechanical and suspension work have been completed, and the steel superstructure built. Regular work weekends are scheduled throughout the summer here in Grass Valley, with work beginning on the geodesic surfaces in early May, then lighting once that is complete.
Creating a Mutant Vehicle started out as an idea to make life on Playa a little easier for the elders of our camp, to help those that are compromised be able to reach the corners of Black Rock City just as everyone else. And to do so at a size, that will allow lots of new friends to come aboard and meet our camp.
From that starting point though, the project has mutated (ahaha;) into a vision that represents the kaleidoscope of diverse cultures, identities and ages that make up our camp, In Dust We Trust. Hence not only the name of the MV, the Dusty Busty, but its very design, a visual representation that all are welcome and represented, that not only shows who we are, but allows the city to see themselves reflected in us, and us in them.
Operating in three shifts, we intend to keep this mutant vehicle in operation as much of the event as we can practicably achieve, offering rides and tours to one and all. Our sound system is pleasantly robust but not overpowering, as we intend to be a place of conversational good times and meeting new friends, wandering from place to place rather than posting up and blasting out the whomp whomp.
Our hope is that the heavy use of strange optical effects by both day and night will lend a strong dreamlike quality to the vehicle. It will be hard to focus on and harder yet for the human mind to understand until up close. And we hope that the confusion and wonderment created by the surface treatment and lighting will draw people inwards to come meet us and see that no, they are not dreaming, but rather having a most wondrous waking experience.