Senses:// Re-engineered

Not actually posted any picture of fire art in this blog so here's my first entry. It first came to me Summer of 2005 during a catastrophic come-down after a heavy night at the Glade festival. Feeling really dirty about myself, I turned to my friend and vowed to pick up something wonderful and spectacular. The only thing I could think of at the time was the glow-spinners I saw the previous night at the ID spiral stage. Playing with glow-sticks was deemed not spectacular enough, I decided to do fire-spinning as something I would do to filled the massive gaping hole in my life: daring, reckless but at the same time requires a high degree of discipline, focus and concentration, it was everything I needed at the time. Since then I have made many friends from all corners of the world and travelled many miles with my fire kit. I would go as far as saying that the flames have supported me through some of the worse turmoil of my life. It has shown me what I am really made of, taught me to believe in myself once more.

In the flames, the whole world dissolves into darkness until there is nothing left other that you, the roar of the flames tearing through the air, the shearing heat, the motion coupled with the music (if you choose to have it). Your mind is truly free from emotion: fear, hate, envy, sorrow, regrets, it all becomes irrelevant when you have two balls of fire flying at speed around your neck. To try out a new trick, every single one of your muscles in sync, timing perfect with the staff, matching every beat, shoulders locked, arms tensed at that sweetest second, adrenaline pumping... The shroud of everyday life is lifted to reveal reality in its purest naked form.

It is my meditation and sanctuary...

I think I finally understands why when people were asked how good Glastonbury was, the replies were usually very reserved and humbled. Any attempt to describe their experience would give it no justice because somewhere down the line, Glasto have mutated into something beyond a mere festival. The sum of its many parts combined have managed to create something that is beyond anything that can be experienced in the real world. Each part wildly different from each other yet co-exists in harmony in the confine of such a relative small domain. There were none of the aggression like the feelings of being at the Leeds festivals. There were madness in the air but it was controlled, moderated and isolated, innocent enough that parents felt safe to bring their off-springs along for the ride. A heritage of good nature and well meaningfulness have been past on from previous generations to the newcomers, influencing and empowering everyone with the courage to be good so all are welcomed and treated with kindness and smiles. Instead of profanity, cheers and laughter resonated between the valley even before the commencement of the festival.

The quality of the features that helped shape the landscape demonstrated passion, pleasure and pride of the artists in their crafts. Sculptures, furnitures, decorations, even the litter bins were made to the highest standard, each conveying deep meaning and messages. The Trash City was something that is beyond description, made to thrill, amaze and dazzle. An imaginary post-apocalyptic intergalactic Amsterdam where creatures from the further reach of the universe conjugates to party the night away under the glow of roaring flamethrowers and top notch electronic beats. The Green Field, a tranquil garden blossoming with messages of peace, harmony with nature and environmentalism. The Tiny Tea Tent played the part of a safe refuge for the mind and soul of my party on many occasions. Rich, strong chai that warms the heart and skilfully crafted furniture provided the perfect meeting point or pit-stop between different laps of madness. Furnitures were carved out of a whole tree to add to the return-to-nature feel while renewable energy source was used to power the electrics. The stalls in the Green Field, each with their unique identities and displays, encourages awareness to human's impact on the environment and suggests ways of remedying our effects.

The nights fire-spinning at the Stone Circle were inspiring in many ways. Some would vouch that the Sacred Area was a portal in which the fire-art got into the British Isle. Considering half of my fire friends took up the art at that very field, I would not object to the above statement. I was not disappointed even with as high hope as mine. Seeking to find the inspiration at root of the UK fire-art movement, I had chanced upon the very person who inspired me into fire staff! Fire-spinning while watching the sun rise over the whole festival site was a joy which goes beyond anything I have experienced.

Another story came a full circle when I bumped into a fellow steward who were in my care during an overdose coma last year. He was on my mind throughout the year and it was good to see him healthy and well. Although he failed to recall who I was (can't blame him because he was unconscious at the time), it was nevertheless a great feeling being introduced as "this gentleman is one of the people who saved your life last year!". The feeling would probably have being even more elating if I wasn't warped and twisted at the time. Oh well.

It was different from the others. Like a good meal, Glastonbury was fulfilling and satisfying. Even though the memory of the experience was relished many times after the event, there was no sorrow or longing when it came to an end. My companions and myself were so content that we all left the festival with smiles on our faces. I guess it wasn't what was there that made it stand out of the crowd, it's the effect it had on those present that show you what can be done and a glimmer of hope of what could happen if people were to spend less time fucking each other over.

Full album here!