Dex

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Dex exterior

Puddle discussion: Mobile units



The Dex carries Disorient Signs, art installations and lounge to deep playa destinations during Burning Man 2007.

The right side of the Dex opens-up onto the Playa and carries the Small Sign. This 10-foot opening allows perceptual connections between inside and outside. A large step made of speakers allows guests to jump in and out of the lounge when the bus is stopped. DEXers also like to dance on that speaker stack.




On its left side, the Dex carries three letters from the DISORIENT Sign.




In 2005 and 2006, the last six letters of the Sign were installed in front of the DISORIENT camp. In 2007, those letters are installed on the new addition to the Disorient Express: the Rex.




A Firmament-inspired light sculpture is installed on the roof along with other sculptures/installations by members of Disorient including inflatables by Anakin Koenig. A rack is especially designed to securely hold those pieces. The bus is equiped with a comfortable DJ booth (in a private area in the front), Disorient's sound system and a public lounge in the back.





The Dex changes location several times during Burning Man but it is not meant to be a transportation unit like the Nautilus. It is a mobile installation that changes context. It is docked next to large-scale installation and gives Disorienters and Burners the opportunity to experience sculptures and the deep playa for extended periods of time. The Dex paired with selected playa installations creates a dramatic yet comfortable environment that includes dance floor, chill-out area and many art works by members of the Disorient collective.




The body of the DISORIENT EXPRESS is covered with gold mylar.




Explore the deep playa in the comfort of your own puddle with the DISORIENT EXPRESS.

Dex Indoor

Early drawings

Here is the inside of the Disorient Express deployed without outside additional snap-on modules.


Click to enlarge

When in travelling mode:
- the stage/stairs fold-up and close the large opening on the right side of the bus;
- the part of the circular sofa that is outside the volume of the bus on the left side collapses or slides-in;
- the dj booth slides back inside the volume of the bus.



The storage area in the back below the zero-gravity chair is accessible from the door (not shown on these drawings) at the back of the bus.



The front of the bus is a private area with individual lockers for Disorienters.



Dancing poles around the dj booth help the bus stay structurally sound.

Dex racks

Early drawings

There are modular racks on top of and under the Dex. The Sign and the snap-on modules will be attached to these racks.


Click to enlarge

Both racks (above and under the vehicle) are built on the same principle. Each rack is made of three hollow metallic poles (6" x 4" section) that cover the entire length of the vehicle. Those poles are connected to each other and attached to strong metal beams that hold he body of the bus. Each pole has slots (every foot or so) on its sides, large enough to slide two 2x4 wooden studs next to each other.

The 2x4 studs of variable length (from 8' to 12') slide in and out of both sides of the vehicle allowing large and heavy equipment/artworks to be installed on top and on the sides of the vehicle.





Possible finishes for the outside of the Dex:
- matte black (so the support disappears in the night and the attached artworks and the inside are more distinct)
- gold
- matte playa color (like the Borg containers)

Dex related links

- Dex transformation
- Dex toolbox
- Dex version a1: early Dex plan
- DiGDi5: early Dex concept by RoBo and Spec
- Other Mutant Vehicles
- Re:Vault