ASTRAL EXPLORER; AFRIKA BURN 2024 Mutant Project

A Volkswagen T25 Doka transformed into a desert mutant vehicle for Afrika Burn. It is best described as a comet that fell from space onto the plains of Tankwa after the Big Bang. To achieve this, we intend to use a combination of visual design elements and storytelling.

Hi, my name is Edlin, 32 year old Art Director based in Pretoria, South Africa. In 2023 I attended Afrikaburn; an official Burning Man regional event. I was part of the setup team of Chillaz; Afrikaburn's Official Off Centre Camp stage and a platform for artists, creatives and dreamers to share their gift with the community. We did our best in that space and are recognized as genuine burners since.

My team and I applied to build and operate a mutant vehicle for 2024 event themed CREATION. We still need to procure vehicle and we will be partially funded by Afrika Burns Projects NPC. They're only funding materials and we've taken care of the tools. We need funding for the vehicle and the transportation of the vehicle to the event. It will be build in two parts, the mechanical requirements will be done in Pretoria and then visually dressed in Cape Town.

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Astral Explorer:
TANKWA’S COSMIC CHRONICLE
A MUTANT VEHICLE PROJECT for AFRIKA BURN

In the beginning, there was darkness. A cosmic silence stretched across the void, unbroken by time or sound. Then came the moment—the instant that marked the birth of the universe. The Big Bang ignited, a brilliant explosion of light, energy and sound, from this cataclysmic event, a celestial wanderer emerged.

It was not a typical comet, nor a mere collection of ice and rock. This entity, now known as the "Astral Explorer," was something more profound. As the universe expanded and galaxies swirled into existence, our celestial wanderer was there to bear witness. It was a sentinel of the cosmos, a messenger of the stars.

An AI vision of the “Astral Explorer” without its comet features

For eons, this body of stardust and ice journeyed through the expanse of space. It traveled close to suns that burned with an intensity no human could fathom and navigated the icy voids of interstellar space. Along the way, it accumulated celestial dust and stardust, becoming a living tapestry of the cosmos.

In its travels, our wanderer encountered ancient civilizations on distant planets. It watched over them as they rose, thrived, and eventually faded into obscurity. It captured their stories and experiences, etching them into its core like a celestial library.

As it passed through asteroid belts and cometary clouds, it observed the creation and destruction of celestial bodies. It witnessed supernovas, the birth of black holes, and the dance of galaxies. It recorded the symphony of the universe, a harmony of light and darkness, energy and entropy.

Mind play of the “Astral Explorer in 2030

One fateful day, this adventurous ball of stardust found itself hurtling toward the outskirts of the Milky Way. It approached Earth, a planet teeming with life and vibrant energy. As it entered the Earth's atmosphere, it became cloaked in fire, blazing like a meteor. Crash-landing in a remote desert, the Astral Explorer's journey seemed to come to an end. But it was not the end. The inhabitants of the desert discovered the enigmatic comet and realized its extraordinary history.

They transformed the it into a desert mutant vehicle, celebrating its celestial odyssey; they named it the "Astral Explorer" in honour of its timeless journey. Now, every year, during Afrika Burn, the Astral Explorer takes to the desert, illuminating the night with its dazzling lights and playing the music of the cosmos. It will become a symbol of the enduring spirit of creation, exploration and discovery.

The Astral Explorer, born of the Big Bang, is a witness to the universe's story of creation, and a messenger of the stars, it continues to inspire all who encounter it, reminding us that the universe's mysteries are waiting to be explored, and that the cosmic journey is never truly over.

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THE BUILD

The VW T25 in its unaltered state at my family's farm in Pretoria.

Exterior Design:

The exterior of the vehicle shimmers with a textured, otherworldly surface, resembling the rugged terrain of a comet that has journeyed through the cosmos. It catches and reflects the colors of the sunset, creating a mesmerizing play of light and shadows. The vehicle's oversized, all-terrain wheels are adorned with intricate metallic rims, which glint in the fading sunlight.

• We will paint the vehicle in deep, dark hues of cosmic blues, purples, and blacks, with subtle hints of shimmering metallics to resemble the night sky.
• A textured finish will be applied using foam to create a comet's rugged surface, giving it an otherworldly, scorched appearance.
• LED lights and fiber optic strands will be attached across the vehicle to simulate the tail of a comet, which can be illuminated at night to create a mesmerizing, celestial trail.

Custom Features:

• All-terrain wheels will be used with intricate, metallic rims designed to resemble celestial orbits.
• Equip the roof with a detachable platform fitted with a railing where people can stand and dance safely.
• Add unique, custom-made sculptures and art installations on the vehicle that represent celestial bodies from space.

Interior Design:

• The plan is to use plush, dark velvet or suede upholstery that mimics the inky void of space.We’ll also add fiber optic ceiling panels that replicate the appearance of a starry night sky.
• Integrate a sound system that plays ambient space sounds like cosmic winds, meteor showers, and ethereal music to enhance the celestial experience whenever it is on the move.

Safety Considerations design specs

Top View of the Explorer beneath the Burner deck

• The burner deck will have a 1,3m high railing that will be cushioned with foam. This is to ensure none of the passengers can fall off mid journey.
• The cargo bed of the bakkie will be lined with cushions creating a mini lounge-in-transit, railing around the entire back will secure the Explorer's patrons at all times.
• Passengers will only be permitted to get on/off when the vehicle is at a complete stop. The driver will open his door to indicate that the Explorer has stopped.
• Sketch-D: A step up ledge will be installed onto the body, passengers will use this to get up onto the cargo bed holding onto the support beams for easy access.
• Sketch-C: Passengers will use a ladder attached to the cargo bed and the burner deck to get to the top. Access will be through a trap door opening up to the top. The door is also a safety consideration to avoid people falling through to the bottom.
• Sketch-E: The right hand panel of the cargo bed will be removed to create access when using the ledge.
• Sketch-A: The DJ will basically decide if he/she wants company in the booth, the vehicle has only one rear passenger door. We will create a booth by removing the front passenger seat and installing a deck upon which we'll setup the DJ equipment + lighting controls. Beneath this we will house the mutant's generator.
• The Explorer will be fitted with laser lights to create a trail depicting space travel at night. Adding to the car's default lights will also fit adjustable flood lights above the windscreen for better vision for the driver. LED lights will line the floor and the inside railing of the deck. We'll use intimate lighting for the cargo bed.
• We've planned to install LED lights underneath the vehicle for better visibility and also to create the illusion of a rock floating over the desert floor.
• We will not have any flame effects on the Astral Explorer.
• Fortunately for us, the vehicle's engine is at the back, our DJ equipment and lighting controls will be under fairly cooler conditions. The generator's exhaust will be piped to the exterior using a hole made through the floor of the front passenger seat. The smoke from the exhaust will add beautifully to the floating rock effect at night

Performance & Interaction:
The “ Astral Explorer will be an interactive experience for Afrika Burn attendees with podcasting capabilities installed to the sound system. We will encourage them to write wishes or messages on the body of the vehicle to chronicle its travels, symbolizing the comet's communication with Earth. The “Astral Explorer” will commute people from Chillaz and other affiliate camps onto the playa and other attractions whenever it is on the move.

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Let's meet the THE TEAM

Name	Profession + Project Role	Role Description
Edlin Chuene	Art Director + Project Lead	Concept, wrote the copy. Dress + shape the foam on the vehicle
Edlin Fondling	Sculptor, Carpenter + Production Lead + Driver	Build and attach the top platform.
Sihle Kambule	Rope Access Practitioner + All-round Artisan	Operating powertools + welding the frame
Tshepo "Gaza" Maseko	Film Maker (documenting) + Lights	Document the entire process. Connect + operate the lights configuration
Thabiso Skosana	Jewellery maker + Visual Artist	Dress the foam, shape the foam into rock effect. Paint illusion of astroid
Ryan Shava	Visual Artist + Art Director	Lead the Art Direction of the build and oversee the paintjob
Reginald Teys	Cellist, Visual , Tutor Visual Artist + Live Music Manager	Assist with the paint job. Manage all live performances on the mutant.
Ficca "Frank Ru" Mehlapi	Music Composer, Sound Engineer + Resident DJ	Install sound, run cabling. Manage the DJ line up
Issa Wessels	Sound Architect	Installation and sound support throughout the burn.

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Our BUDGET

Bellow is a summed budget breakdown, a detailed one is available upon request. We couldn't upload it here to keep this campaign as concise and presentable as possible.

During the Burn, the Astral Explorer will "launch" into the desert, moving slowly and gracefully while playing music, emitting smoke and light effects to create the illusion of space travel. We need your assistance, please support our vision for Afrika Burn 2024. We appreciate every little contribution made, we know it will go a long way towards a successful art project, please follow our campaign and feel free to donate whatever you are able.

Faithfully yours,
Kommanda Edlin and the ASTRAL team.