Blazing Swan

Last updated
Blazing Swan
Blazing Swan Logo Spray Painted.jpg
Blazing Swan logo spray painted onto an art piece in 2015
Location(s)Jilakin Rock City, Kulin, Western Australia, Australia
Inaugurated2014
Most recentApril 1–6, 2021
Website www.blazingswan.com.au

Blazing Swan is an annual regional Burning Man event held near Jilakin Lake in the Shire of Kulin, Western Australia. It is an experiment in temporary community and artistic expression, and is guided by eleven main principles, including radical inclusion, gifting and radical self-reliance. The event occurs around Easter each year, usually over a period of seven days. The event location is on bushland adjacent to Jilakin Lake, and is referred to as Jilakin Rock City. A wooden effigy is built and burned at the culmination of the event.

Contents

History

A collective of artists / producers who had attended the Burning Man Festival in the US, organized the official regional event in Western Australia.

YearThemeDateParticipantsTicket priceNotes
2014Inception24–28 April1400$145–$195
2015Inspiration1–7 April1900$145–$255
2016Illumination23–29 March2500$150–$250
2017Elemental12–18 AprilTBC$150–$250
2018Beyond the Black Stump28 March – 3 AprilTBC$200–$300
2019Happy as Larry17 - 23 April3000$200–$300
2020Perception8 - 14 AprilN/A$200–$300Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic [1]
2021Phoenix1 April - 6 April1500$250–350
2022Poseidon's Flame13 - 19 AprilN/A$250–350Cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic [2]
2023Poseidon's Flame5 April - 11 April1500$290–350

Culture

Eleven Principles

Blazing Swan is understood not just as an event, but also as referring to a way of life lived consistently with these 11 Principles. They are meant to be taken as a whole, as a set of commonly-understood values. [3]

Theme Camps

Theme camps are an integral part of Burning Man culture. These are established by the event participants and contribute to the unique identity of Blazing Swan.

Blazing Swan, Inc.

Blazing Swan, Inc. is the not-for-profit incorporated association dedicated to organizing the annual Blazing Swan event. As per Blazing Swan Inc.'s Constitution, its main objectives are to:

(a) organize, develop and promote:
(i) an annual arts, music, and cultural festival which is inclusive, accepting, and safe;
(ii) other related events promoting self expression, identity and understanding;
(b) foster and create new art projects in Western Australia;
(c) develop and support workshops and training activities;
(d) support and develop community based fundraising events to further the Association’s objects;
(e) train volunteers to facilitate the Association’s objects; and
(f) conduct the Association’s activities in an environmentally sustainable manner. [4]

Community Involvement

Blazing Swan Inc. is involved with a number of Community art projects and philanthropic activities in Western Australia. Some examples are:

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Jilakin Rock is a granite rock formation located approximately 15 km (9.3 mi) east of Kulin and approximately 25 km (16 mi) south of Kondinin in the central Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. It overlooks Jilakin Lake and is a prominent feature in the area, rising out of the surrounding flat plains.

References

  1. "A Letter to our Community". Blazing Swan. 2020-03-16.
  2. "A Letter to our Community".
  3. "10 Principles of Blazing Swan". Blazing Swan. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
  4. "About Us". Blazing Swan. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
  5. "Art at Blazing Swan". Blazing Swan. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
  6. "Blazing Swan Comes To WA". Rotunda Media. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-12-30.
  7. "Blazing Swan memento: Kulin's giant egg". ABC Great Southern WA. 2015-04-14. Retrieved 2015-12-30.