BIKINI LINES is a proposed massive mixed media installation inspired by the lack of standardized nuclear disaster reporting, in particular the panic that set in over Tokyo following the March 2011 Earthquake, Tsunami and subsequent Fukushima meltdown.
And it started, the Bikini Lines funding campaign go and share fund to this most awaited project!
The Bikini Lines team which is made up of members from around the world is setting out to create the world’s largest painting using the Runit Island Cactus Dome as their canvas. The Cactus Dome is a 107m wide (350foot) dome built over a blast crater in the Marshall Islands which encases the radioactive debris from Bikini and the surrounding Atolls. The surface area of the dome is roughly 96,600 square feet and once completed will beat the current world record holder of 86,000 square feet.
Constructed by the American military between 1977-1980 it is largely forgotten but still stands as a constant reminder from a time when nuclear testing was more the norm than the exception. While declared safe long ago the island has been off-limits until now. Both the Marshallese government and the Enewetak elders have both recently given their blessing to go ahead with this project and are opening up the Island for their arrival in late 2012.
In Lieu of corporate sponsorship and the hiring of famous designers, the team has opted for a more do it yourself grassroots approach and in doing so, and is keeping this project by the people and for the people. They are both financing this project and taking artists submissions via IndiGoGo (a crowd-financing platform.) With that comes great opportunity for the public as they are not only looking for people to submit the winning design that will go on top of the dome but are seeking a director to join them and help create the accompanying documentary. Submissions will also be accepted for their official on-site photographer & writer. Not wanting to leave anyone out, the team has also added a wild card spot for the adventurous types that don’t have an artistic bone in their body but would still love an opportunity to take part in a project of this magnitude.
The entire paint job which will take between 3 and 4 weeks to complete will be documented in film & writing, with the finished product being released as a CC licensed product and 100% of the intake going to the benefit of the Fukushima Orphans.
Project creator and executive producer Christian Forestell had this to say, “We really want this project to benefit everybody involved. The artists, designer, videographer, photographer and writer who earn the chance to join us will hopefully achieve instant recognition from their work and benefit from greater career options afterwards. The Marshall Islands will gain more recognition from international media and hopefully see a boost in tourism. Most importantly, though, Fukushima orphans will benefit from media sales. 100% of the sales of our documentary will be donated to the Ashinaga Foundation, which helps orphaned children achieve their education.”
The campaign to create the world’s largest painting on the historically significant Cactus Dome will launch via IndiGoGo on February 1st 2012 and run until July 31st 2012, leaving plenty of time and opportunity for people to come up with designs, and submit their work for the chance to join the team as they embark on the Marshall Islands for an anything but ordinary world changing adventure.
Curious about what you will get in return for your pledges? Here is their full list of incentives for helping get this project off the ground
INDIEGOGO FUNDRAISING GOAL: $200,000 USD+
IndieGoGo is a great platform for this type of project, as it allows us to give you rewards for helping us out. Below is a list of incentives and rewards. You can always change your pledge amount before the deadline if you wish to give more or less.
REWARDS & INCENTIVES
$10
a copy of the digital download package, which includes our finished movie, behind the scenes photos, out takes, and lots of sweet, sweet extras such as an invitation to join the wild card pool for a chance to join us at The Dome. A perfect way to lend a hand and get something awesome in return.
Estimated Delivery: February 2013
$25
Are you an artist or designer craving fame & fortune? Want your design painted on the dome for all the world to see? It’s only $25 to submit your proposal! Includes digital download package.
Estimated Delivery: January 2012
$25
Are you a filmmaker with Cannes Ambitions? Want to direct our documentary? It’s only $25 to submit your proposal! Includes digital download package.
Estimated Delivery: January 2012
$25
Are you a photographer who craves adventure? Want to be our official on-site photog? It’s only $25 to submit your proposal! Includes digital download package.
Estimated Delivery: January 2012
$25
Are you a writer with a love of Robinson Crusoe? Want to be our official on-site writer & blogger? It’s only $25 to submit your proposal! Includes digital download package.
Estimated Delivery: January 2012
$55
Want a DVD instead of a downloadable media package? Well, here’s your chance! We’ll send you a DVD autographed by the core production team *and* the director! This edition will be limited to $50 sponsors… so… collectible!? Yep!
Estimated Delivery: March 2013
$77
gets you a handsome, high-quality, A2-sized giclée print of the final design. Edition hand-numbered, signed by artist and limited to $75 sponsors. Very collect-able! Hang ‘em between your Norman Rockwell’s & boxed Chewbacca’s! Includes the digital download package and one submission (if you want it).
Estimated Delivery: September 2012
$255
(Awesome!) The Contributor’s package: gets you an official adventure log-book curated by our on-site photographer & blogger. Edition hand-numbered, signed, and limited to $250 sponsors. You’ll also get the giclée print, the digital download package, one submission… and… your name in the film credits as “contributor”!
Estimated Delivery: March 2013 & various
$505
gets you a tasty artifact from the site. The Cactus Dome is composed of 358 concrete slabs and each one will be painted individually as part of the whole. We’ll give you 1 of the 358 working drawing used on-site, signed by the member who painted it, accompanied with a unique photograph. It will likely be pretty dirty. Limit of 358. Includes the digital download package.
Estimated Delivery: February 2013, others as per above
$1001
Gets you an “Associate Producer” credit + a seat on the committee that votes on the shortlisted proposals. Limit of 10. Includes the digital download package as well as the adventure log book and giclée print. Get your name in the IMDB!
Estimated Delivery: August 2012 & various, as per above
$2501
Join Us! Pay your way to Majuro (via Hawaii with Continental is the easiest route) and we’ll take you the rest of the way on our chartered boat & plane, feed you, give you some camera time – providing you want to help us paint, that is! You also get everything above (minus the associate producer credit), including one submission. Limit of 10.
FREE! Get an A-list celebrity to tweet this IndieGoGo proposal and we’ll give you a Digital Media Consultant credit on the finished film. Or, if this describes you and you want to help out, ask your people to contact our people, which is us 🙂
FREE! Elementary schools, middle schools and high schools are encouraged to leave a message for us in the digital archive. Teachers only, please! Submissions can be uploaded here.
Estimated Delivery: now!
If you would like to know how you can get involved, go to http://www.bikinilines.net/ or send all enquiries to:
Christian Forestell : Executive Producer and Creator cactusdome@gmail.com
Chad Parrish: Executive Producer and On-Site /Camp Coordinator Chad.cactusdome@gmail.com