Following on from the announcement of a bee-themed precompression, the new theme around the ManBase has been announced for 2012. We’re asked by BMOrg to “bee here now“. Seriously:

the Man will be perched atop a dramatic pavilion reminiscent of the Pantheon of ancient Rome, under which will stand an intricate 38′-tall sculpture representing a flower’s pistil. In case your memory of high school biology has eroded as much as ours, pistil (from the Latin pistillum meaning pestle) describes each discrete unit of the gynoecium, a collective term for the reproductive organs of a flower. (Phew … thanks Wikipedia!)

This sculpture will be designed and built by Gregg Fleishman, who created last year’s contemplative and peaceful “Otic Oasis” structure found out in the outer reaches of walk-in camping (and which will return to the same spot this year, we’re happy to report).

As with Otic Oasis, a series of stairways and walkways will provide access to a number of platforms, allowing participants the opportunity to climb, explore and enjoy the intricate architectural dynamics of the pistil.

In the spirit of participation, you’re encouraged to discover your inner bee, joining together with others or working solo to create interactive experiences of your own. Break out your best bee costume and inspired creativity and express yourself through bee culture and couture … perhaps coordinate a sunset bee swarm? Play follow the queen? Organize a honey tasting? Conduct a kazoo orchestra in a rendition of “Flight of the Bumblebee”? (It’s all good, but yeah, please don’t actually pollinate the pistil … capice?)

this Bunny Slippers?

the man is placed higher and higher each year to symbolize the growing greatness of the BMorg. the idea is that the man (the BMorg) is above and exalted. it’s there to be worshiped by the citizens for its greatness and glory.

once that hierarchical relationship is established, it makes it easier to convince the citizens to provide free labor to the exalted in exchange for becoming spiritually closer to the one above.