This year there is a “Gomi-zero” initiative to reduce the trash accumulated during Fuji Rock to zero. That means every paper plate and square of toilet tissue are recycled from the year before. And why we as attendants ought to respect the trash sorting volunteers when we toss our paper cups and wooden spoons and chopsticks.

The stipulation carries over even into much of the amazing installation art found around the festival grounds. Though of the over-simplified “trash art” genre, these massive collaborative works are put together with such elegant sense, one quickly forgets the everyday pieces used in making these elaborate puzzles.

At Field of Heaven there is a very natural and organic feel, with pine tree branches and lots of wood used in the sculptural installations, gateways, chill spots and stage accents. I personally love the huge dream catcher behind the performing artists in back of the stage.

But this year’s Orange Court is also an outdoor gallery to note. The gold and silver amorphous honeycomb monoliths create a portal, much like the Japanese tori’i gate forges a holy boundary to a shrine.

Upon closer inspection of the artwork, one can decipher the materials used as completely recycled, a brilliant reuse of everyday things like A/C vent tubes, clothes hangers, umbrellas, light fixtures, bottle caps and other assorted car parts.

The continuity then between the gateway pieces and the stage flanks is great; even the sound booth follows suit and becomes the areas space age cockpit of sorts.

All in all these sculptural beasts create a strong sense of place, a theme that is futuristic at times with all the gold and silver spray paint, and helps take the crowd of Orange Court straight to outer space.