What is that thing?Do you really drive it from the top?You're going backwards!Who's responsible for all this?Can I ride on it?Is it finished?What's next for the Pleasure Barge?What is that thing?
You are currently admiring the Interstellar Pleasure Barge. A mutant vehicle designed primarily for the Burning Man art festival but with multitudinous uses.
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Do you really drive it from the top?
Yes. I do. I have built a (wired) remote control system to operate the mutantvehicle from the main deck of the barge. The controller is an appropriated NES Advantage joystick donated by sxoidmal. The vehicle's drive instruments are connected to motors, pneumatic pistons and tubular solenoids. There are numerous safety systems designed into the control system to prevent anything unpleasant from happening (as that would be antithetical to the nature of the interstellar pleasure barge).
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You're going backwards!
No. The vehicle that provides the base for the mutantvehicle is going in reverse. We're going forwards - forwards to pleasure.
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Who's responsible for all this?
I (jarrin) funded the entirety of the project and put in ~90% of the
work - but it would not have succeeded without the encouragement and
expertise of those who supported me and my vision.
I did nearly all the welding, electrical and general construction by myself at Psychopop Laboratories Beta. My inestimable brother, Rock Moniker, assisted with construction and consulted on some design points. Various friends and Art Car tribe.net members provided ideas and information as requested. Thanks goes to all of them.
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Can I ride on it?
Probably. It depends on the venue.
At Burning Man all you have to do is flag me down - if there's room, you're welcome to board. For parades I will generally put out a call for riders a little ahead of time (active, energetic, thematic persons are preferred). For stationary events it depends on the nature. If there's a DJ atop the barge then probably not. If it's just out for show then probably yes.
In any case, it never hurts to ask.
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Is it finished?
No, it's not finished. But it is done.
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What's next for the Pleasure Barge?
Every time I think about the Interstellar Pleasure Barge I think of something new or different I would like to do. I fully intend on changing and improving the vehicle over time. I may add more lights, another deck, some flags, different stairs, a ladder, a fireman's pole, different body panels, &c. I'm receptive to suggestions and criticisms. The only limiting factor is my time and ability.
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