Help Build Sonapse: An Audiovisual Temple

Jameson Hubbs is organizing this fundraiser.

Donation protected

Hey there, art enthusiasts!

We're a group of passionate builders, designers, and artists coming together to create an experiential structure for Burning Man 2024 and beyond.

What is Sonapse?

Sonapse is an immersive audiovisual sanctuary that will provide a unique sensory experience and panoramic views of the landscape, with its vibrating bass platform suspended 12 feet above the ground.

By day, Sonapse offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Black Rock City. It's a sanctuary from the swirling dust and relentless sun, providing a unique perspective on the beautiful chaos below. Burners can find a moment of peace, connect with fellow travelers, or simply marvel at the incredible temporary city that surrounds them.

As night falls, Sonapse transforms into a multisensory journey. The structure comes alive with a mesmerizing composition of light and sound:

Feel the music through your entire body as the vibroacoustic bass floor delivers a soothing soundbath
Let your mind drift with hours of ambient music compositions that envelop you in sound
Gaze in wonder at the kinetic LED array on the ceiling, pulsing and flowing in perfect harmony with the music

This immersive experience creates a shared meditation space, inviting participants to connect with themselves, each other, and the unique energy of Burning Man. It's a space for reflection, for awe, and for those serendipitous encounters that make the playa so magical.

Who are we?

Our team consists of seasoned professionals and artists, including:

Lead Artists:

Jameson Hubbs - Instigator at O2 Treehouse/ freelance artist
Luke Wilson - Architectural Designer at O2 Treehouse
Dustin Feider - Design Director/Founder at O2 Treehouse
James Lucey - LED Designer at James Lucey Art

Team Members:

Ryan Stucka - engineer, fabrication, and rigging
Albee Shribs - lead fabricator
Hike Danakian - LED lighting design and installation
Niko Kush - operations and build lead
Sarah Gold - builder and artist
Alex Espinoza - builder and artist
And maybe you! We have a few crew spots open for build and strike. Email [email redacted] to learn more.

Many of us come from the O2 Treehouse community. For those unfamiliar, O2 is a collective based in Petaluma, California, known for creating timeless, one-of-a-kind treehouses, with a side project called Treewalkers that develops suspended structures for immersive campgrounds. Sonapse is our way of bringing this level of craftsmanship and creativity to a public space.

Why we need your support:

We've self-funded most of the project and have already prefabricated much of the structure. While we're talented creatives, we live humble lives and this our main vacation for the year. We need a final push to cover:

Food and provisions for our volunteer crew
Transportation of materials to the playa
Last-minute additions to our audiovisual and structural components
Professional engineering consulting services from RBHU

Your contribution, no matter the size, will directly support our team of dedicated volunteers in bringing this vision to life.

Why this matters:

Sonapse is more than just an art piece – it's a step forward for our team to create immersive, high-quality structures for public spaces and expand our impact as creative builders. It's a chance for tens of thousands of people to experience the kind of elevated perspective that's usually reserved for private clients and generate momentum towards tangible opportunities to iterate projects similar to this into permanent urban installations.

Join us in creating a space of respite and wonder amidst the beautiful madness of Burning Man. Your support will help make Black Rock City shine even brighter this year.

Thank you for being part of this journey. We can't wait to share Sonapse with you on the playa!

-The Sonapse Crew

P.S. If you're heading to Burning Man, come find us! We'd love to give you a personal tour of the space and thank you in person for your support.