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July 16: Someday your computer might use smell, touch and taste. Weekend America host Bill Radke explores the world of sensual computing. And, why are people getting buried alive... voluntarily?

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Austrian Artists Offer A Date With Death
Friday, July 8, 2005
SAN FRANCISCO (Wireless Flash) -- What are you dying to do for fun?

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[...] I was wondering if I could sign up in advance to be buried alive in SF on Friday. I have been daydreaming about being buried alive for the last 6 months or so and one of the projects I have brewing inside of y head is to take pictures of myself with a lover, inside a coffin in my kitchen. Of course, that takes a lot of time to prepare, so I haven't done it yet, but it is one of my favorite ideas. [...]

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Johannes Grenzfurthner (Johannes Graines-foort-na)
Evelyn Fürlinger (Evelyn Fur-linga)
Guenther Friesinger (Goonta Freeze-inga)

This is how funerals sound all over middle Europe. Bells are ringing, the priest, the brass band and people who are shambling slowly behind the coffin. And, of course, altar boys. Once upon a time, in a village – the name of which is irrelevant – a tipsy priest fell into the hole. The funeral attendants' sobs immediately turned into shrieks while both grave diggers had considerable trouble getting the infamous clergyman out again.

Emotion coming out of the cold! Representing all official state obsequies and other pomp funerals. Chopin's smash hit of death. In this military brass band version it does not lack a certain catatonic iciness.

Very traditional funeral song of unknown origin.

I am weak, but Thou art strong;
Jesus, keep me from all wrong;
I'll be satisfied as long
As I walk, let me walk close to Thee.

It is a kitschy cliche that Vienna is a morbid place. But sometimes it is simply true. This sentimental and bittersweet tearjerker is a Viennese Schrammel-style song of death. Schrammelmusik is usually listened to at the typical Viennese wine taverns -- the Heurigen. The song is about a Fiaker -- a horse carriage driver -- who says:

Bring my horses into the stable
For today they will get a bag of oats and some hay for the last time.
Put a lock at the door for you're getting rid of me today.
Because I no longer am a wagoner, for today I'll peg out.

This one is for you Americans. Lou Reed's requiem for his friend Doc Pomus.

The Serbian death customs are rooted in the pre-Christian belief in a kingdom-come which can only be reached by crossing a river. Other than the river Styx in classical mythology, this river cannot be crossed on a boat, but only on a tree trunk that is used like a bridge. If the dead person has committed too many sins, then he risks falling into the water. Through the water, he reaches the world underneath, the hells, where it is very dark and very dry. To alleviate this possible post mortal dryness, the women still carry full beer mugs to the graveyards in this area. What a nice custom.

Oh yeah.

You are about to be buried alive.

You will be sealed in a coffin which will be covered with approximately two feet of dirt. There is no external ventilation. There is no easy means of escape. You will be buried alive, for real.

If you have any history of anxiety, claustrophobia, heart disease or breathing difficulties; if you are currently taking any medication for any of these conditions; if you dislike total darkness, confined spaces, forced immobilization, restricted air supply or a sense of forced helplessness in the face of your own mortality; then you are contraindicated for being buried alive.

If you understand this and yet you still wish to be buried alive, please read and sign your agreement to the following:

I am aware that my participation in being buried alive is a hazardous activity. I am voluntarily participating in this activity with knowledge of the danger involved and I hereby agree to accept any and all risks of property damage, personal injury, post-traumatic stress, or death.

In consideration of my participation, I hereby release Machine Project -- an organization with members whose principal meeting place is located at 1200 D North Alvarado, Los Angeles -- and any of its directors, officers, event organizers, grave diggers, volunteers and/or agents, from any present and future claims, including negligence, for property damage, personal injury, or wrongful death, arising from my participation in any activities related to being buried alive.

Furthermore, I hereby voluntarily waive any and all claims, both present and future, arising from my participation in being buried alive, including but not limited to negligence, property damage, psychological damage, bodily injury, and wrongful death. I further understand that the burial I participate in may be conducted at a site that is remote from available medical assistance; and nonetheless agree to proceed with such activities in spite of the possible absence of medical assistance. I also understand that any equipment provided for my burial may be totally inadequate in preventing serious injury.

I have read this form and fully understand that by signing this form, I am giving up legal rights and/or remedies, which may be available to me.

[Print]
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[Sign]
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