See See & the Dream Team

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I (See See Kwan) am a queer Chinese American artist. I went to my first burn in 2004, got a BA in 2006 for painting and printmaking. In the same year, I started my journey to become a tattoo artist and have been independently running my tattoo studio since 2018. My first generation immigrant dad was a civil engineer who worked on the new bay bridge. His untimely death and my reflection of it, inspires my dream to build a bridge that will highlight the mysterious impermanence of life. This project will bring together a dream team of creators and builders I’ve met at burning man, riggers, metal and wood builders, sign makers, and artists. It would not be possible without their collaboration, and for that I am grateful for their skills and expertise.

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Philosophy

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To think about death is to think about life. USA society lacks variety and depth in ritual practices for the dead. The (Middle Path) Bridge Between Heaven and Earth is a celebration of transformation. The curving bridge itself represents the in-between transient space between Yin and Yang. It is a bridge, elevated between Heaven and Earth, forever working towards balance, harmony, equanimity. Yin and Yang represents all dualities—life and death, light and dark, order and disorder, each inextricably linked to the other. The bridge is a creative and inspiring space to hang out and spend time to reflect upon (pun intended). Our project gives the opportunity to experience a reinterpretation of an ancient ritual practice of communication and interaction between two worlds. And to realize that life and death cannot be one without the other, that maybe death is not the end, but maybe just another beginning

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Experience

The mission is to hold space for another death ritual, aside from The Temple, to bring more Asian representation on the playa, and to bring a community together to better understand our past, present and future.

Contained “Joss papers” and pens are provided for participants to make offerings at the wooden prayer box, they must walk the bridge to make their contribution. An ambient sound of voices can be heard in the center of the bridge, three different languages spoken by my grandma, my mom and myself. In daytime, participants can leisurely walk the curving bridge and appreciate the changing perspectives with colorful hand painted reflections on acrylic panels made by sunlight. Singing bowls are attached at the entryways of the bridge for participants to create sound ambiance.

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