SeaCompression 2013 – Menagerie Catastrophe

November 4, 2013 By portaplaya

Following a blustery day of spotty power outages across the county, Seattle Burners spent Saturday night under clear skies at their local Decompression event.

This is the annual fundraiser for the non-profit Ignition Northwest arts organization in Seattle. The funds fuel art grants and support of the arts community, including an annual scholarship to the Pratt Fine Arts Center.

Below is a short photo essay of this event. Click here to see the whole set.

Robin and Loren West are ready to get you in the door

Tierany Seriflame dances with the DeathHoop

Dee Surface, Jamie Lynn Curnew, Brittany Curnew, Christine "OzzyGirl" Wheeler and Amy "The Chicken" Westwood. — Dee Surface, Jamie Lynn Curnew, Brittany Curnew, Christine “OzzyGirl” Wheeler and Amy “The Chicken” Westwood.

Leanne Todd is the first lantern carrier as the procession begins

Bright lights momentarily hit the dance floor inside King Hall.

Kym Spencer from Victoria gets a check-up — Wild Bill gives Kym Spencer from Victoria a check-up

Overhead view of King Hall, site of SeaCompression

Jo checked the box for "surprise me", so riggers Geo and Zang give her a crazy spin — Jo checked the box for “surprise me”, so riggers Geo and Zang give her a crazy spin

Dave "Diem" Martinez spins as set of music for the dance hall. — Dave “Diem” Martinez spins as set of music for the dance hall.

Steve Biloba and Saline Pockets — Steve Biloba and “Dr. Saline Pockets”

The event ran for nine fun-filled hours, thanks to Daylight Savings Time ending. Perplexed riders on the light rail station above the event wondered at the fires and lights, even as the participants below played, danced, or explored the many art pieces and demonstrations offered at the event.

About the author: portaplaya

Todd Gardiner, aka "portaplaya", is a professional photographer in Seattle and a long time documentor of Burning Man. After years of working with CameraGirl, he moved on to documenting the event for various other teams, such as the ARTery. Back in Seattle he was part of the regional arts group, Ignition Northwest, acting as a member of the art funding council. A perennial volunteer, he is a five-time Black Rock City Ranger, a past theme camp laborer, has done his time with DPW, and is currently a supervisor for Exodus Flagging; in addition to being a photographer every single year. Some say he is just an obsessive collector of official-looking laminates to wear to high school reunions. Either way he spent time working for others ever since his first year at Burning Man in 2001.