MakerFaire and The Flaming Woman

I attended the MakerFaire last weekend.  It was my first time -  and boy was I surprised at the snarl of traffic and people attending – over 30,000 people daily I'm told.   Traffic was particularly bad as it was Kentucky Derby day and people were going to Bay Meadows to place their bets. That aside, my 13 year old son thought the event was “cool” and so did I.

The creations and the creation-makers were an odd mixture of knitters and robotics. The "soft" tech meets the "high" tech.   I loved running into people driving cupcakes and listening to a “steampunk”, shovel-playing guitarist. I didn't know what “steampunk” was at the time, but then I saw an article in NY Times that described the movement.  They described it as a "aesthetic expression of a time-traveling fantasy world".  Very Emo meets Victorian-era stuff.    I also saw a lady walking with a “lily-pad" umbrella that was kept moist by her assistant who walked by her side with a water sprayer.  Sort of re-defines being an assistant.   But by far my favorite experience (besides the battle-bots) was the 20 ft tall, 6 ton pyrotecnic, “Flaming Woman”. Artists Dan Das Mann and Karen Cusolito sculpted a woman out of 10-inch pipe and scrap metal and the results is a true replica of how I feel sometimes as a “50-something” mom. Just a little bit “on fire”. Here’s a link to see the woman in action….

The concept of the show is pretty broad - anyone who "makes" something.  The essence of creativity and the desire to persevere in the making is something truly admirable.  I am envious - does making a cheesecake over and over to get it right count?  I am particularly grateful to the artists who made "Flaming Woman" - I will hold her image in my mind when I get into a heated discussion with one of my teenagers or wake in the middle of the night thinking my body is on fire.  We are alike I think.

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