Flow Arts Friday: Galactic Get Down Edition, Dustin Lindell
This week’s #FlowArtsFriday is founder of FOGO Fire LLC, Dustin Lindell. FOGO Fire was established in 2018 to offer a variety of flow products and educational resources to flowmies, as well as to help events ensure that Flame Effect Flow Arts (FEFA) Industry Standards are met at events. For the second consecutive year, FOGO will be coordinating Galactic Get Down Music Festival’s Open-Flow Firecamp. FOGO’s goal is to “create a safe, compliant, and standardized flow site for fire spinners, hoopers, benders of all experience levels to share their flow.”
Learn more about FOGO founder and how to participate in open flow at Galactic Get Down Music Festival, July 18-20!
Just interested in registering to flow at Galactic Get Down? Fill out this form.
PH: How long have you been flowing?
FOGO: I started juggling at camp the summer before 6th grade. I loved the challenge, meditation and the expression of it. It was very personal to me because I was the only local person I knew doing it and was bullied as a result. There was no such thing in my world as the term “Flow Art” back then and I was incredibly alone juggling tennis balls and spinning brooms in the garage. That never stopped me from doing it.
PH: When did you began flowing with fire?
FOGO: In 2015, a close friend of mine lead me on an adventurous summer of trying new things. One night she introduced me to fire spinning in a back alley. While knowing little beyond the obvious risks of fire danger, I couldn’t help but give the single staff, on fire, a try. While doing so, I knocked out a tooth and singed my locks. Through all that trauma (ha!), I was still completely captivated!
PH: What made you want to start?
FOGO: I discovered the ease of slipping into a magical state of meditation while feeling the resistance and warmth on my skin caused by the flame as it soared around my body. It brought a whole new element of excitement to me.
PH: What’s your favorite flow prop?
FOGO: I love the dragon staff but, I equally love short throwing staffs!
PH: What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever flowed?
FOGO: I’d say the mini valley tucked inside the rolling hills located in Houston, MN, where Galactic Get-Down (GGD) is located, was a pretty spectacular place to flow last summer! Duluth and the St. Croix have also been pretty magical!
PH: Obviously you’d bring your props, but, what are the other two things you’d bring to space?
FOGO: Hand warmers and hand warmers! Even midsummer, I’m a freeze baby! Ha!
PH: What exactly are you doing at GGD?
FOGO: It’s a big responsibility to keep people safe at events, especially when people with unknown experience come together to play with fire! The larger the event, the greater the opportunity for an accident or incident to occur. As a Flow Site & Program Director, we will maintain regulatory compliance and the safe well-being of the participants, spectators and environment. Additionally, we will implement the “FEFA Guide” (Flame Effect Flow Arts) which is a Safety & Quality Management Program Guide. The guide is designed to merge regulatory and industry terminology as training material reference to providing a solution to standardize event activities and prevent accidents and incidents from occurring, as well as an approach to maintaining the professional reputation of the art.
PH: How can Galactic Get-Down attendees participate in the Open-Flow Firecamp?
FOGO: Fill out and read THIS form to find out more about participation requirements and registration options! Those who do not follow those requirements will not be able to perform until they are completed.
PH: What’s one piece of advice you’d like to offer new fire flowmies at GGD?
FOGO: Understand that you are the future representation of the art. It is your responsibility to participate respectfully and responsibly, for the sake of yourself and those around you. By supporting safety, you are giving everyone a trusted space to let go, release and fully express. Technical skill isn’t what makes you great! You are valued here, regardless of your skill level. I will do anything in my power to support you! Please don’t not be afraid to communicate and get involved!
If you like what FOGO is about, please refer us to festivals and events!
Photos by Alycia Grace
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