Naga & The Captainess is an interactive sculptural piece by Cjay Roughgarden, Stephanie Shipman, and Jacquelyn Scott. Naga is a 25-foot tall, 100-foot long sea serpent, consisting of five separate sections, lit from within, with bubbles that float out of his nose. Next to him is the sinking Aldrovanda, captained by a mysterious lady adventurer and botanist. Visitors were able to explore her quarters and various treasures scattered throughout the installation.

Phase 1 - The Burning Man Build

Every project begins with an idea …. Cjay, the chief instigator of Naga & the Captainess, first dreamed up the idea of building a sea serpent many years ago. She then recruited Stephanie Shipman and Jacquelyn Scott to assist in building the scene around Naga, creating the story.

These 3 inspired their community of old friends and new to rally around this idea and help them accomplish this enormous build. Through the dedication and resources of amazing donors big and small, we were able to execute a 3.1 million dollar build with a 10th of the budget.

Over 200 volunteers of all ages, from young kids to retirees, had a place to participate in the joy of making art.

Approximately 35,000 labor hours were invested in bringing this immersive experience to Burning Man, always with the dream of bringing it to the general public.

Many volunteers were given opportunities to learn welding, carpentry, calligraphy, set design, casting, book binding, and many more artisan skills. Our fans and followers learned about the historical time period of the 1700s through Odd Salon historical talks, sea shanties, and other presentations from crew members.

Beyond the huge impact of creating a 3rd space for our crew to learn, grow, and enjoy the creation of art, 70,000 participants at Burning Man had the opportunity to experience Naga & The Captainess.

Phase 2 - Golden Gate Park

Naga and a modified version of the Aldrovanda are now headed to Golden Gate Park. Naga will be placed in the pond at the base of Rainbow falls and the Aldrovanda will be placed on shore in front of the pond. The Aldrovanda will be a smaller version of its original self to create space for people to enjoy the art, the falls, and the park itself.

The enormous amount of effort and resources poured into the creation of Naga & The Captainess now has the opportunity to be viewed by the 24 million park visitors every year.

The artwork will be a meeting place for runners, a free and accessible field trip for children, a place for contemplation, and a place to foster new connections. Together we will break the boundary between the observer and the artwork, pulling people into an experience rather than just presenting them with a static piece.

In partnership with Illuminate, we are well on our way to making this dream into a reality. We have approval by the San Francisco Arts Commission, and the Golden Gate Recreation and Parks team have already invested in preparing the park infrastructure for our installment. Naga is currently being refurbished and the plans for the Aldrovanda II are currently underway..

Phase 3 - Storybook, Programming, Community Engagement

Beyond the sculpture itself, Naga & The Captainess opens up endless opportunities for community programming. Hands-on artisan workshops, such as ink-making and bookbinding, will engage both kids and adults, fostering creativity and craftsmanship. Performing arts and immersive theater will further bring the story to life, with sea shanty sing-alongs, mermaid parades, and historical talks that connect us to the past while offering perspective on the present and future.

The original idea for Naga was inspired by another children’s book, Cyrus the Unsinkable Sea Serpent, and our artists are eager to reimagine a new story to accompany the art sculpture. By deepening the narrative, Naga & the Captainess will become more than just an art piece—Naga will be a new mascot for San Francisco, offering a fresh and imaginative identity for the city. Children will grow up with the storybook in their homes, then experience the magic firsthand when they visit Naga in their park.

By integrating programming and community engagement, Naga & The Captainess becomes a catalyst for connection, giving families and friends a space to thrive, make new bonds, and build a shared sense of unity. These events take the sculpture one step further, fully immersing the public in the world of Naga & The Captainess, making it not just a piece of art, but a living, breathing story that unfolds with every visitor.

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Rainbow Falls, Golden Gate Park

Intro

Phase 1 - The Burning Man Build

Phase 2 - Golden Gate Park

Phase 3 - Storybook, Programming, Community Engagement

Rainbow Falls,
Golden Gate Park