Thanks to Illuminate the Arts (@illuminatethearts) this installation came right from Burning Man and will be installed in Golden Gate Park for 12 months. If you love the project or want a cool perk, please consider donating! 

Over Ruled is a sign commanding " NO DANCING" in big red letters from afar. Stretching 115 feet across San Francisco's Golden Gate Gate Park. After closer examination, you see there are nine real stories of nine lives affected by rules or repression, assembled as a petition for restorative justice and social acceptance. Every human being follows a path to become their true self; for some the way is short, and for others long.

Don’t be fooled by the message. Passersby are encouraged to flout the rules and shake their tail feathers to their heart’s content.

Who we are

We are Looking Up Arts, a nonprofit organization headquartered at  Upside Artspace  in San Francisco, CA. We created  Phoenicopterus Rex  (2017),  Rainbow Bridge  (2018),  Cone Down  (2019), and  Sirsasana  (2022).

Cody Smith, a co-founder of Looking Up Arts, is leading his first project. Tackling climate change by day at  Camus Energy, he spends many of his nights and weekends working on art.

We are an all-volunteer crew of some full-time artists, some part-time, and many many makers and shakers. Typically between 50 and 100 people help create any given project, and we have  so much  love for one another.

Because we are a 501(c)(3), pledges from US backers are tax deductible, minus perk cost.

Why we make art

Big projects bring people together, and they simply make us better human beings. We grow, we bond, and we strive for a generous purpose. Here, for example, is our volunteer steel team after completing their welding class with  Joel Millikan :

The smiles of visitors, the dusty thank-you hugs, and the absurd stories all make it worthwhile. This is our fifth major project at Burning Man, and every year we become more passionate. It’s a privilege to make things for you, Burners.

Why we love this project

Two big reasons. First, to be perfectly honest, we love dancing and we love breaking the rules. So breaking the rules  by  dancing is going to be incredibly joyful, especially surrounded by so many kindred spirits.

Second, some on our crew have had their lives forever changed by the criminal justice system in the United States, disproportionately to their wrongdoing. Such folks understand that deep reforms of the system are imperative for a humane future, and Over Ruled fosters broader awareness.

The Perks

Please take a look at our offerings along the side! At checkout, you may also select the option for "no reward selected" if you don't want a reward and just want to donate. Note that even if you choose to  donate directly, you are still eligible to receive a perk!

Direct Donations

If you prefer to donate directly or have company matching as an option, we can coordinate with you on the process. We also accept paper checks. Please reach out to  leslie@lookingup.art.

Build

Fabrication and assembly took place from May and August in our workshop, located in the Mission District of San Francisco,  Upside Artspace, and 1 week on-Playa. Project timeline:

Our crew is skilled, experienced, and top-notch. This includes numerous artists, structural engineers, welders, and most importantly, our volunteers. If you might like to join us, please fill out or  volunteer questionnaire.

Gratitude

Alex John, Alex Morrison, Bill Evans, Camille Pireyre, Cody Smith, Danaë Metaxa, Dani Fallon, Fonda Tong, Gayla Smith, Jewel Sheehan, Jocelyn Parrish, Joel Millikan, Josh Zubkoff, Kyle Matlock, Leslie King, Michael Zee, Nick Geurts, Peter Platzgummer, Pui Ling Tam, Shing Kong, Srikanth Guttikonda, and Vitaly Winter.

Also thanks to Burning Man Project, Upside Artspace, Out Front Media, Illuminate and the city of San Francisco for hosting our art in Golden Gate Park!